PROPOSAL:
Approve Establishment of Caltrans High Priority Projects Special
Revenue Fund to Implement Federal Emission Reduction Program for South
Coast Air Quality Management District
SYNPOSIS:
This action is to establish a Special Revenue Fund and recognize
revenues made available under United States Public Law 109-59
§1701(a)(2)(B), enacted on August 10, 2005. A total of $2,000,000 is
available to the AQMD over the next five years for the federal Diesel
Emissions Reduction Program under the U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Special Project 3807. These federal
funds are allocated to the AQMD through FHWA and the California Department
of Transportation (Caltrans). FHWA will pass through funds over the next
five years in the amount of $400,000 per year. Staff is proposing to apply
for a total of $800,000 for Calendar Years 2005 and 2006.
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.
Administrative, February 10, 2006, Recommended Approval.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
1. Establish the Caltrans High Priority Projects Special Revenue Fund for
the federal “Diesel Emission Reduction Program for the South Coast Air
Quality Management District.”
2. Authorize the Executive Officer to initially apply for funds for
Calendar Years 2005 and 2006 from Caltrans for a total of $800,000 and in
increments of $400,000 per year until 2009 for a total of up to $2,000,000,
and to recognize and place the funds in the Caltrans High Priority Projects
Special Revenue Fund.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
United States Public Law 109-59 §1701(a)(2)(B) was enacted on August 10,
2005. The Law authorizes the “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users,” (SAFETEA-LU Act). Funding
for Special Project 3807 of this Act entitled, “Diesel Emission Reduction
Program for the South Coast Air Quality Management District” (DERP)
allocates up to $2,000,000 in funding for fiscal years 2005 through 2009 to
carry high priority projects that will further reduce diesel emissions in
the South Coast air district. The federal funds are part of the U.S.
Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) budget.
The funds will be made available to the AQMD through the California
Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
Proposal
Staff is requesting the Board’s approval to establish the Caltrans High
Priority Projects Special Revenue Fund, and to initially apply for calendar
years 2005 and 2006 installments of the available funds in an amount not to
exceed $800,000 and installments of $400,000 per year until 2009 for a total
of up to $2,000,000. As a recipient of federal funds, the AQMD is required
to match 20 percent of the total project funds. Projects funded through AB
923 funds will be used as AQMD’s matching funds. The Board may choose to add
these funds to augment existing incentive based programs to promote the use
of clean fuels and accelerate turnover of older diesel powered vehicles
including school buses, on- and off-road diesel powered vehicles and
locomotives. Funds may also be utilized to retrofit existing diesel engines
with exhaust cleaning devices. Upon initiation of a funding award, staff
will bring a list of proposed projects for the Board’s consideration.
Benefits to AQMD
The successful implementation of current incentive-based emission
reduction programs have resulted in significant reductions of PM10 and NOx
emissions within the South Coast air district. Influx of additional funding
will help continue successful progress towards clean air through expanded
implementation of emissions-reducing incentive programs. Expansion of
incentive programs will also produce concurrent toxic air contaminant
emission reductions, which is an additional benefit.
Resource Impacts
There are no additional monetary impacts as a result of this action. The
20 percent local match will be provided from Board-approved AB 923 projects.
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