| Feb. 1, 2008 The
Southland’s clean air agency today adopted a work plan that lays the
groundwork for the development and implementation of its new climate credit
exchange program to provide incentives for local businesses to make
voluntary reductions.
“This is the first step in ensuring that regional credits are created to
enhance the local economy and local air quality,” said William A. Burke,
Ed.D., Chairman of the South Coast Air Quality Management District. “Our
efforts will complement those of the state Air Resources Board to implement
AB 32.”
AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, requires the state’s
greenhouse gas emissions be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020.
In January, Chairman Burke announced AQMD’s “SoCal Climate Credit
Exchange” program that would be developed to certify carbon emission
reduction credits and register and track any credit exchanges. The program
aims to provide businesses with access to real credits that can achieve
local air quality benefits for criteria and toxic air pollution.
The plan approved today calls for the creation of a Technical Advisory
Group comprised of representatives from the California Air Resources Board,
other agencies and business and community stakeholders to assist in the
development of a series of rules that will establish criteria and guidelines
for the program. Key elements will include guidelines for participation,
credit certification tools, a credit registration program and mechanisms for
tracking credits and managing exchanges.
Program rules are expected to be proposed to AQMD’s Board in a two-step
process with a pre-hearing in late spring and an adoption hearing in
September.
AQMD today also adopted a work plan to implement Chairman Burke’s other
initiative announced in January that calls for a reevaluation of AQMD’s
existing emission credit programs.
That plan establishes a working group to assist AQMD in evaluating
existing credit programs and developing proposed rule changes focused on
stabilizing credit prices; encouraging installation of clean technologies
and ensuring efficient use of emission credits. A report on findings from
the program evaluation is scheduled for May.
In other action today, the Board:
- Amended Rule 1110.2 – Emissions from Gaseous- and Liquid-Fueled
Engines – to improve compliance and further reduce emissions from such
engines; and
-
Awarded
$447,000 in funding to Global Energy Decisions, Inc., to analyze the
potential energy and capacity needs in the Southland and then identify
desirable locations to locate power generating facilities based on
environmental and other concerns.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
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