PROPOSAL:
Appropriate Funds and Execute Contract for Study to Determine
Feasibility of Using Remote Sensing Technology to Measure Locomotive
Emissions
SYNPOSIS:
AB 1222 (Jones) directs CARB to implement a pilot program to determine
the feasibility of using remote sensing technology to quantify emissions
from locomotives. The specific objectives of the pi-lot program are to
ascertain whether remote sensing technology can: (1) accurately measure
NOx, PM, and CO emissions from locomotives, (2) identify applicable Tier
0, 1, or 2 federal certification standards for a locomotive, and (3)
determine a locomotive’s emission levels relative to its applicable
federal emission certification level. AB 1222 further requires the AQMD
to reimburse CARB for a portion of the pilot program costs. This action is
to appropriate up to $300,000 from the General Fund to the Science and
Technology Advancement FY 2005-06 Budget, Professional and Special
Services Account. The funding could be reimbursed through a Federal Grant
from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for purposes
of reducing diesel emissions in the SCAQMD upon approval from Caltrans. In
addition, this account will potentially accept up to $200,000 from
railroad industry for purposes of executing a contract with CARB or
another entity designated by CARB for an amount not to exceed $500,000
for purposes of funding the pilot program as specified in AB 1222.
COMMITTEE:
Technology, January 27, 2006. Less than a quorum was present during the
discussion of this item; the Chairman communicated his concurrence and
recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
- Appropriate $300,000 from the General Fund, Undesignated Fund
Balance to the Science and Technology Advancement FY 2005-06 Budget,
Professional and Special Services Account.
- Reimburse the General Fund up to $300,000 if successful in procuring
a federal grant through Cal-Trans for purpose of reducing diesel
emissions in the SCAQMD.
- Recognize of up to $200,000 in total from the Union Pacific Railroad
and Burlington Northern Railroad to the General Fund and appropriate
these funds to the Science and Technology Advancement FY 2005-06 Budget,
Professional and Special Services Account.
- Authorize the Chairman to execute a sole-source contract with CARB
or other entity as designated by CARB for the implementation of the AB
1222 Pilot Program, in an amount not to exceed $500,000 from the
Science and Technology Advancement FY 2005-06 Budget, Professional and
Special Services Account.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
Remote sensing is a technology that has been traditionally used to
measure pollutant levels from light and medium-duty vehicle exhaust while
the vehicle is traveling along the road. Unlike most equipment normally used
to measure vehicle emissions, remote sensing devices (RSDs) do not need to
be physically connected to the vehicle. Thus, RSDs can be used as an
efficient tool to monitor the vehicle fleet and identify excessive or
“high-emitting” polluting vehicles, complementing traditional mobile source
emission reduction programs. Significant study into the use of RSDs began in
the early 1990s for on-road motor vehicle applications. The current state
Smog Check program contains provisions that authorize the use of RSDs for
the purpose of identifying high-emitting vehicles.
The potential application of RSD technology to emission sources other
than on-road motor vehicles has long been recognized. In particular, the
use of RSD technology to measure diesel emissions from locomotives appears
to be feasible. AB 1222 (Jones), signed into State Law in 2005, directs CARB
to conduct a pilot program for the remote sensing of locomotive emissions,
with the objective of determining whether RSDs can accurately measure NOx,
CO, and PM emissions from locomotives as well as identify diesel-powered
locomotives that do not comply with their applicable federal emission
standards.
AB 1222 requires that the AQMD, Union Pacific Railroad, and Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Railroad cover the costs associated with implementing the
pilot program. The railroads are specifically responsible for 25 percent of
those costs, not to exceed $200,000; and the AQMD is responsible for the
balance of those costs, not to exceed $300,000. Other pertinent provisions
of AB 1222 include a requirement that CARB submit a report to the
Legislature on or before December 31, 2006 that summarize the data acquired
through the pilot program and a determination as to whether remote sensing
met the objectives of the program. Finally, AB 1222 requires the
establishment of an advisory group to be appointed by the AQMD, Sacramento
Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, and the two private railroad
companies (Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe) if these
companies choose to participate.
Proposal
This action is to authorize the transfer of up to $300,000 from the AQMD
Undesignated Fund Balance to the Science and Technology Advancement FY
2005-06 Budget, Professional and Special Service Account. Execute a
sole-source contract with CARB or other entity as designated by CARB for a
legislative-mandated pilot program to evaluate the effectiveness of RSD
technology in locomotive applications. The length of the study would be
approximately one year, and AQMD would have the ability to appoint members
to an advisory group that would provide guidance to CARB on the design,
contractor selection, and implementation of the pilot program. A written
report will be submitted by CARB to the Legislature on this pilot program by
December 31, 2006.
Sole Source Justification
AB 1222 was approved by the state legislature and signed by the Governor
in October 2005. The legislation requires that the California Air Resources
Board implement the study and that the cost of the study be cost-shared
between the AQMD and Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe
railroads.
Benefits to AQMD
This project may provide useful data relative to determining the
effectiveness of RSD technology in facilitating emission reductions from
locomotive operations in the AQMD. Locomotives currently contribute
approximately 37 tons per day of NOx in the AQMD and are a significant
source of PM emissions. Studies have shown that there are elevated
concentrations of diesel PM and associated cancer risk impacting areas in
near proximity to diesel sources such as rail yards.
Resource Impacts
AQMD’s share of the project cost is statutorily limited to $300,000. If
successful in procuring a federal grant through Cal-Trans for purpose of
reducing diesel emissions in the SCAQMD, minimal resource impacts is
anticipated. Minimal resource impact anticipated with administering
contracts for CARB and Cal-Trans.
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