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Sept. 9, 2005
Starting Next Year
The Southland’s air quality agency today approved a landmark $4 million
voluntary program to detect highly polluting passenger vehicles and provide
incentives to repair them or scrap and replace them.
“Gross-polluting vehicles make up about 10 percent of the passenger
vehicle fleet, and yet they are responsible for at least 50 percent of the
air pollution from that fleet,” said William A. Burke, Governing Board
Chairman of the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
“For the first time, we will be identifying these gross polluters and
giving motorists an incentive to repair or replace their vehicles.”
The $4 million pilot program -- the only one in the nation to include
both remote sensing and a voluntary repair/replacement component -- was
approved today at AQMD’s monthly Board meeting. Remote sensing of 1 million
vehicles, followed by repair and scrapping of about 1,000 to 2,000 of the
highest-emitting ones is expected to begin early next year and last about 12
months.
Remote sensing devices, demonstrated since the 1980’s, measure a
vehicle’s emissions by projecting beams of both infrared and ultraviolet
light across a roadway such as a freeway on-ramp. As a vehicle passes by,
its tailpipe emissions absorb some of the light. A sensor receives the
light after it passes through the tailpipe emissions and a computer
calculates the vehicle’s emissions level. At the same time, a video camera
captures the vehicle’s license plate and a computer logs and digitizes the
emissions and license plate information. The program approved today
includes four main components:
Remote Sensing
A remote sensing contractor, to be selected later this year through a
competitive bid process, will be responsible for collecting emissions data
from 1 million individual vehicles, representing about 10 percent of all
vehicles in the region. The contractor will develop a detailed plan
including multiple remote sensing locations throughout Los Angeles, Orange,
Riverside and San Bernardino counties. These sites will not be publicized
and will be rotated on an unannounced basis to ensure a representative
sampling of the region’s vehicles.
Testing and Repair or Scrapping
AQMD has selected the Foundation for California Community Colleges to
perform voluntary testing and repair of high-emitting vehicles. The
Sacramento-based foundation is a recognized, independent entity that
currently provides the referee function for the state’s Smog Check program.
Using the remote sensing data, the foundation will contact owners of the
dirtiest 1 percent to 2 percent of vehicles tested. It will offer them the
opportunity to receive either up to $500 in repairs in order that their
vehicle meets Smog Check emission requirements, or $1,000 to scrap it. The
foundation will perform all emissions testing and repairs. AQMD this fall
will solicit competitive bids for qualified vehicle scrappers. All engines,
emissions- and drive train-related components of vehicles turned in for
scrapping will be permanently destroyed.
Vehicle Replacement for Low-Income Residents
Residents who meet state low-income guidelines will be eligible to
qualify for an additional funding up to $1,000, for a total of up to $2,000,
if they choose to scrap their vehicle and replace it with a used, certified
low-emissions vehicle. Market data shows that used vehicles meeting the
state’s Low Emission Vehicle criteria are available for $2,000 to $3,000.
Residents would receive either a voucher or reimbursement upon proof of
purchase of a LEV or cleaner vehicle.
Remote sensing is considered an adjunct but not a replacement for the
state’s Smog Check program. It is a useful tool for detecting high-emitting
vehicles in between required biennial Smog Checks. Vehicles may be high
emitters due to lack of maintenance or tampering with exhaust or emissions
systems.
AQMD’s program is funded by AB 923 (Firebaugh), approved by the Governor
last fall. The bill authorized the use of designated vehicle registration
fees for various mobile source emission reduction programs.
Of the $4 million allocated today, $1 million is designated for remote
sensing; $1 million for testing and repair; $1 million for scrapping and
replacement; $700,000 for additional repair, scrapping and replacement,
depending on demand; and $300,000 for public outreach and data analysis.
In other action, Governing Board Chairman William A. Burke called for
four public consultation meetings this fall to solicit suggestions for the
use of $6 million from this year’s BP air pollution penalty settlement.
Funds will be used for community air quality projects. Following public and
Board member input, AQMD staff will bring a funding proposal to the Board
for approval at its Dec. 2 meeting.
The Board also:
- Amended Rule 1186.1 – Less-Polluting Sweepers and Rule 1196 – Clean
On-Road Heavy-Duty Public Fleet Vehicles – to allow fleet operators one
additional year to request an exemption from the rules when the necessary
refueling infrastructure is not within five miles of the vehicle storage
and maintenance yard. Additionally, Rule 1186.1 will allow one additional
year for fleet operators to request a rule exemption when no
alternative-fueled vehicle exists for certain street sweeping
applications; and
- Set a public hearing for October 7 to adopt Rule 3503 – Emissions
Inventory and Health Risk Assessment for Railyards – to require Southland
railyards to conduct health risk assessments to estimate the cancer risk
caused by emissions at railyards.
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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