• AQMD Adopts Fleet Rules for Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Taxis
• AQMD Co-Sponsors Museum Exhibits for Children
• Oscar Abarca Appointed Assistant Deputy Executive Officer
• In Other Action

In a historic vote today, AQMD's Governing Board adopted two measures to begin shifting government fleets of heavy-duty trucks and taxis at airports to alternative fuel and lower-emission models beginning in 2002.

The action nearly completes adoption of a series of clean fleet rules for public agencies in the region designed to reduce toxic emissions of diesel soot and improve the health of all Southern Californians. AQMD’s Board has adopted seven of eight of the rules.

"Today’s rules move Southern California further down the road to cleaner and healthier air," said Barry R. Wallerstein, AQMD executive officer. "Southern California is the clear leader in the alternative energy field."

Rule 1196 -- Clean On-Road Heavy Duty Public Fleet Vehicles will require government fleets with 15 or more heavy duty vehicles to buy alternative-fueled, gasoline powered or dual-fuel models starting July 1, 2002 when new vehicles are purchased.

The measure applies to city, county, regional, state and federal government agencies as well as special districts such as air, water, transit and school districts. Affected agencies now have about 6,900 heavy-duty vehicles in their fleets, which typically include dump trucks, aerial lift trucks and road and highway maintenance vehicles.

The rule will reduce 74 tons per year of nitrogen oxide emissions and 8.2 tons per year of particulate matter as well as reducing toxic pollutants.

A fleet operator can apply for a Technical Infeasibility Certification to be exempted from the rule if they can show that an alternative-fueled vehicle is not commercially available, up until 2004 an alternative fuel station is more than five miles away or the purchase is not as cost-effective as existing state- and locally funded diesel replacement programs. In addition, the rule exempts certain specialty vehicles including emergency and rescue trucks.

The rule is estimated to cost an average of $10.3 million per year between 2002 and 2015. However, several programs are available to offset the cost of converting heavy-duty vehicles to cleaner fuels. When those funds are factored in, agencies would bear no extra cost in the best case scenario and about $2 million annually in the most likely scenario.

The Board also amended Rule 1194 -- Commercial Airport Ground Access, to include taxi operators at commercial airports and require that they purchase ultra-low-emission vehicles when they buy new taxis starting Jan. 1, 2002.

"AQMD is concerned about heavy exhaust and toxic air pollution levels at airports," said Wallerstein. "Our taxi measure will reduce toxic emissions at crowded airport terminals, benefiting not only passengers, but those who work in that exhaust-filled environment every day."

The measure affects taxis at the region's six commercial airports: Los Angeles International, John Wayne, Ontario International, Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena, Palm Springs and Long Beach. There are currently 17 taxi companies with about 2,500 taxis servicing those airports. Eighty-five percent of the taxis are at authorized to pick up passengers at Los Angeles International Airport.

American Taxi, the only company authorized to pickup passengers at John Wayne Airport, now operates a fleet of about 170 compressed natural gas taxis.

By 2010, the measure will reduce an estimated 8 tons per year of volatile organic compound emissions, 92 tons per year of nitrogen oxides, 288 tons per year of carbon monoxide and 6 tons per year of particulate matter. It also will reduce the public's exposure to toxic air pollution.

Several gasoline-powered cars now are available certified to ultra-low emissions. Larger sedans typically used by taxi companies such as the Ford Crown Victoria are available as compressed natural gas-powered models.

A 2000 compressed natural gas Crown Victoria costs about $27,000. Taxi drivers today typically buy a used Crown Victoria police cruiser for about $6,000 to $8,000 and spend an additional $2,000 to have it converted to a taxi. Clean fuel vehicle purchase incentives from manufacturers, AQMD, the federal government and local air quality programs can offset most or all of the cost difference. A taxi association also plans to propose a $1 increase in the airport passenger pickup surcharge, from $2.50 to $3.50. Proceeds from the $1 increase would be placed into a fund to help offset the cost of new vehicles.

The rule exempts taxi operators from purchasing an ultra-low-emissions vehicle if the AQMD or a designated agent cannot provide substantial grant funds to assist with the purchase.

Earlier this year, AQMD's Governing Board adopted fleet rules to reduce smog-forming and toxic emissions from passenger vehicles, transit buses, refuse trucks and street sweepers in government and some private fleets.

Implementing one initiative in its Children's Air Quality Agenda, the Board approved contracts totaling $150,000 for the following six educational programs:

• "Partners Against Pollution" at the Riverside Municipal Museum;
• "Fossil Fuels, Alternative Energy and Air Pollution" at the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana;
• "Smog Catcher Particulates Project" at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery;
• "Air Pollution Through the Ages" at the La Brea Tar Pits;
• "Storytelling in Theater Format" at the Children's Museum of Los Angeles; and
• A weather/air monitoring station at San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands.

For more information, see the Board item.

AQMD’s Intergovernmental Affairs Officer for Los Angeles County Oscar Abarca was appointed by the Governing Board today to the new position of Assistant Deputy Executive Officer for Public Affairs and Transportation Programs. Abarca, who has been AQMD’s representative to cities, county agencies, and legislators in Los Angeles County since joining AQMD in 1990, has over 25 years of public affairs experience. Before joining AQMD, he served as Local Government Liaison for the Southern California Association of Governments. Earlier in his career, he was Director of Public Affairs for the Los Angeles County Probation Department’s Central Juvenile Hall.

At AQMD, Abarca played a key role in gaining support for the recent reauthorization of AQMD’s Clean Fuels Program and in developing support for AQMD’s clean fleet vehicle rules.

Abarca is active in his community as a leader of the MALDEF Leadership Development and Advocacy program, a member of the Hispanic Issues Advisory Council of the National Conference on Christians and Jews, as well as the Puente Mentor program for youths.

Abarca resides in Whittier with his family. He has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California.

• Amended portions of Rules 1302, 1306 and 2000, to allow for cost considerations for minor sources installing Best Available Control Technology;
• Ratified findings as required by state law that the RECLAIM emission credit trading program has met certain criteria, including equal or greater emission reductions as the rules it replaced; and
• Approved a study to optimize the geographic coverage of alternative fueling stations in the region.

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This page updated: August 20, 2004
URL: http://www.aqmd.gov/news1/Governing_Board/Bs10_20_00.htm