• SCAQMD Board Approves $28.17 Million for Clean Air Projects
• Solvent Degreaser Rule Tightened
• "Next Generation" Natural Gas Truck Project Approved
• Marilyn Solomon Appointed to Head SCAQMD Public Affairs
• In Other Action

The region's air quality board approved a total of $28.17 million in funding today to help pay for more than 1,200 clean-fueled and lower-emission heavy-duty vehicles, fueling stations and other equipment in the Southland.

"These new vehicles and equipment will cut smog-forming nitrogen oxide emissions by hundreds of tons per year," said Barry Wallerstein, executive officer for the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). "Some of the projects will help mitigate emissions from new power plants that are needed to generate additional electricity to ease the energy crisis."

Funding approved today comes from three sources:

• $13.4 million from the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Attainment Standards program, a statewide initiative to reduce smog-forming emissions from diesel engines;
• $8.4 million from SCAQMD's Rule 1309.1 -- Priority Reserve for propane-powered microturbines to replace portable diesel generators, low-sulfur diesel fuel for Metrolink locomotives and co-funding for up to 10 liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling stations;
• $6.37 million from the State Emissions Mitigation Fund to replace diesel engines with lower-emission models in more than 150 construction vehicles and other equipment.

The Moyer projects will help pay for more than 1,000 clean-fueled and lower-emission vehicles and equipment, including 507 transit and shuttle buses; 285 delivery and refuse pickup trucks; and 273 other vehicles, including street sweepers and utility trucks.

The Moyer program, now in its third year, provides funding for the differential cost between a conventional diesel engine or vehicle and a clean-fueled or lower-emissions model.

SCAQMD's Board this year has a total of $21.25 million available for Moyer projects. The Board awarded $3.52 million in July for natural gas fueling stations, fork lifts and other off-road vehicles. The Board will consider granting $4.43 million later this year for marine and other projects.

SCAQMD's Rule 1309.1 -- Priority Reserve Fund was created by the Board earlier this year to allow new and expanding power plants to purchase particulate (PM₁₀) offset credits. Funds generated are to be used to reduce particulate emissions in the region.

The State Emissions Mitigation Fund was created by Gov. Gray Davis to mitigate excess nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions from peaking power plants.

For more information, contact Chung Liu at (909) 396-2105.

The Governing Board today amended Rule 1122 -- Solvent Degreasers to further reduce smog-forming emissions and air toxics from manufacturing plants and repair facilities.

Such facilities that use solvent degreasers to clean parts before assembly will move to less polluting compounds or airless/air-tight systems that prevent evaporation of cleaning fluids.

The amendments will reduce emissions of smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOC) some 3.2 tons per day when fully effective in 2006. (The rule reduces the maximum VOC content of solvents used from 50 grams/liter to 25 grams/liter.)

The changes also will require use of airless/air-tight systems when using toxic solvents beginning in 2003, resulting in a toxic emissions reduction of 0.81 tons per day.

SCAQMD staff will perform a technology assessment in 2005 to reaffirm the feasibility of the 2006 VOC limit for vapor degreasers.

For more information, contact Elaine Chang at (909) 396-3186.

The Board approved three contracts to co-fund development and demonstration of ultra-clean medium- and heavy-duty trucks powered by natural gas.

Board members approved two contracts with Cummins Westport of Vancouver, B.C., Canada, totaling $778,715 to develop designs and market introduction strategies for ultra-clean medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, and for exhaust treatment technologies. The Board also approved one contract with GFI Control Systems of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada for $140,000 to demonstrate and evaluate exhaust treatment technologies.

These three projects will cost $2.77 million, with the balance provided by the contractors and the California Energy Commission.

The goal is to develop a new medium-duty compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered engine and a new heavy-duty LNG-powered engine by 2004 with significantly lower smog-forming emissions than current models. (The vehicles must have nitrogen oxide emissions at or below 0.5 grams/brake horsepower-hour. Current CNG engines emit about three times as much, and diesel engines emit even more.)

The contracts represent part of an overall program called the "Next Generation of Natural Gas Vehicles" sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy/National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

For more information, contact Mike Bogdanoff at (909) 396-3254.

Marilyn F. Solomon has been appointed as SCAQMD's new Deputy Executive Officer for Public Affairs and Transportation Programs.

Solomon will head the agency's public relations activities and outreach programs, as well as media relations, legislative liaison, business assistance and transportation programs.

Solomon has a lengthy and distinguished career in public affairs. Since 1994 she has been president of The Solomon Consulting group, a public relations firm. From 1971 to 1994, she worked for Chris-Craft Television as Director of Public Affairs, Director of Corporate Relations and Director of Public Affairs Program Development.

She has won numerous awards for her work including five Emmy Awards for television programs, documentaries and children's educational series.

Solomon holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University School of Business Management.

In other action, the Board:

• Received a report on the state of LNG refueling in the region, and recommended actions to expand the infrastructure including:
  • $500,000 to assist fleet operators with additional costs associated with LNG fueling during the next six months;
  • $300,000 to develop and demonstrate LNG production plants using landfill gas as a source; and
  • Up to $3 million set aside to help construct an LNG production facility in the region.
• Executed a contract for $565,200 to build a publicly accessible CNG fueling station at SCAQMD headquarters for cars and heavy-duty trucks;
• Amended Rule 1124, Aerospace Assembly and Component Manufacturing Operations, to adjust VOC limits and compliance dates for several aerospace coatings and materials;
• Decided to allow discretion in the enforcement of portions of Rule 1168 pertaining to cements used in the shoe repair and auto refinishing businesses until the rule can be amended;
• Authorized the Executive Officer to execute a contract for up to $50,000 to survey public opinion in the region on local air quality and SCAQMD regulations to help facilitate a program to increase outreach to the region's minority populations; and
• Set a public hearing for Oct. 19 to adopt Proposed Rule 1634 -- Pilot Credit Generation Program for Truck Stops.

SCAQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

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This page updated: February 27, 2004
URL: http://www.aqmd.gov/news1/Governing_Board/2001/Bs9_21_01.htm