HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09212004 - SD.3 TO. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONTRA
FROM., BARTON J. GILBERT, DIRECTOR OF GENERAL SERVICES W OTA
DATE: SEPTEMBER 21, 2004 COUNTY
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF LOW EMISSION VEHICLE AND FLEET 51)3
ACQUISITION POLICY TO LIMIT THE PURCHASE OF SPORT
UTILITY VEHICLES (SUVs) TO PROMOTE FUEL ECONOMY IN
THE COUNTY FLEET
SPECIFIC REQUEST($)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION
APPROVE the attached Centra Costa County Low-Emission Vehicle and Fleet Policy governing the
selection and purchase of County vehicles.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Policy implementation may result in increased vehicle purchase costs and decreased fuel costs. Air
quality grant funds may be available to mitigate increased vehicle purchase costs.
BACKGROUND
By Beard Order dated ,lune 6, 2004, Supervisor Mark DeSaulnler related that evidence has shown
Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) consume more gas and emit more toxins that deteriorate air quality and
harm our health. In an effort to reduce negative impacts to air quality by the County fleet and reduce
fuel costs, Supervisor DeSaulnier directed the General Services Department to create a policy
governing the appropriate size of vehicle for each County vehicle assignment and prohibiting the
purchase of SUVs except in very limited circumstances.
Under the recommended policy, more emphasis will be placed on fuel efficiency, emissions, and
standardization of maintenance in determining the appropriate vehicle for any assignment. The
policy goal would be to purchase the most fuel efficient and lowest emission vehicle available within
the class of vehicle that is available through the County's acquisition contracts and that meets the
customer's operational needs.
Following Board direction, the General Services Department and the County Administrator's Office
developed the attached policy entitled "Contra Costa County Low-Emission Vehicle & Fleet Policy."
The policy requires the purchase of low-emission vehicles when practical, promotes fuel economy in
the County fMet, and requires that existing vehicles be retrofitted whe ra tical.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT:__ . YES SIGNATURE:
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COMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
.PPROVE _OTHER
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SIGNATURES: -C
ACTION OF BOARS �/✓ " -t "� fir,g` APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED
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VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
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UNANIMOUS(ABSENT
AYES: NOES:
ABSENTS: ABSTAIN:
MEDIA CONTACT:BARTON J.GILBERT(318-7100)
Originating Dept.:General Services Department
cc: General Services Department I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS ISA TRUE
Administration AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
Accounting OF SUPERVISOR -%THE DATE SHOWN.
County Administrator's Office
County Counsel ATTESTED ty ✓ a ,. / s
Auditor-Controller(via GSD) JOM SWEETEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
SY `• ' ? __ 'v%u ii;, -- DEPUTY
APPROVAL OF LOW EMISSION VEHICLE ANIS FLEET September 21, 2004
ACQUISITION POLICY TO LIMIT THE PURCHASE OF
SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES (SUVs) TO PROMOTE FUEL
ECONOMY IN THE COUNTY FLEET
The proposed policy also prohibits the purchase of SUVs unless a department can demonstrate to
the Fleet Manager that only an SUV can meet its operational needs and specifications. In recognition
of a demonstrated operational requirement, the recommended policy exempts law enforcement and
fire district vehicles from this provision.
Effective immediately upon adoption of the policy, all new light and medium-duty vehicles purchased
or leased by Contra Costa County shall be low-emission vehicles when practical, as determined by
the Fleet Manager — that is, when a low-emission vehicle is available that achieves the essential
vehicle specifications for the use or the application in which the vehicle is assigned.
SW
ADDENDUM
SD.3 September 21,2004
Supervisor DeSaulnier introduced the recommendation to the Board regarding approval of low emission
vehicle and fleet acquisition policy to limit the purchase of sport utility vehicles(SUVs).
He suggested that the policy could be brought to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and the
Association of Bay Area Governments as a model policy that all the local jurisdictions in the Bay Area
could consider implementing.
The Supervisor also noted that the policy included allowances and purchasing discretion in some
guidelines, particularly in the area of public safety, for continued use of SUVs where unique needs are
better served by that type of vehicle.
Supervisor DeSaulnier recommended two changes to the policy under consideration. First,to amend
language that refers to"fuel efficiency" to be"efficiency" to reflect that overall efficiency was to be
considered, not limited to fuel consumption. Secondly, to amend section 3 (b)regarding the Fleet Manager
(known in the policy as the Program Manager), to substitute"General Services Director, or designee," as
the individual to approve waivers submitted for exemptions to Section 3 (a).
The Chair invited the public to comment. The following person presented testimony:
Charlie Peters, Clean Air Perf6rmance Professionals, 84 Hoy Avenue, Fords, New Jersey.
Mr. Peters noted that caution should be observed in purchasing low-emission vehicles, noting that while
imported models might be slightly more fuel efficient, domestic models could be less expensive to
maintenance in the long term. He also noted that the smog;-check program had problems that if addressed
would also contribute significantly to lower emission levels.
Having discussed the matter and all persons desiring to comment having been heard, the Board ADOPTED
the amended policy by unanimous vote, with all Supervisors present.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY LOW-EMISSION VEHICLE & FLEET POLICY
This policy establishes a Low-Emission Vehicle & Fleet Program that requires the
purchase of low-emission vehicles when practical, Promotes fuel economy in the
County fleet, requires that existing vehicles be retrofitted when practical, and
requires the agency to pursue low-emission fleet status for its on-road heavy-
duty fleet and its off-road equipment fleet.
LOW EMISSION VEHICLE & FLEET PROGRAM
SECTION 1. FINDINGS► AND PURPOSE
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors finds that:
a) Air pollution is a major public health concern in California. Air pollution can
cause or aggravate lung illnesses such as acute respiratory infections,
asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer. In addition to
health impacts, air pollution imposes significant economic costs and negative
impacts on our quality of life.
b) Motor vehicle emissions, both on- and off-road, are the primary source of
ozone precursors in the Say Area. Motor vehicle emissions are also a source
of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, toxic air contaminants, and
greenhouse gases. Evidence has shown that vehicles like Sport Utility
Vehicles (SUVs) consume more gas and cause more emissions that
negatively affect our air quality. Even though new vehicles have become
cleaner due to improved emission control technologies, the rapid growth in
motor vehicle population and in the number of miles Californians drive is
eroding progress in improving regional air quality. in addition, conventional
vehicles produce higher emissions as their emission control systems wear out
over time.
1
c) Public agencies can play an important role in improving air quality by
procuring and operating low-emission vehicles, by retrofitting existing vehicles
to make them low-emission vehicles, which would allow the agencies to
obtain low-emission fleet status. Public agencies have the responsibility to
lead the effort to improve air quality by implementing a low-emission vehicle
and fleet program.
d) Grant funding and incentive programs may be available from federal, state, or
local sources to cover the incremental cost of acquiring and operating low-
emission vehicles and to install retrofit devices on existing vehicles.
e) Under this policy, a Low-Emission Vehicle & Fleet Program is established by
the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors to promote the procurement
and use of low-emission vehicles in the Contra Costa County motor vehicle
fleet; to promote installing retrofit devices on existing vehicles in the Contra
Costa County motor vehicle fleet; and to promote the obtainment of low-
emission fleet status, when practical.
SECTION 2. LOW-EMISSION VEHICLE & FLEET" PROGRAM
a) There is hereby established a program to be known as the Low-Emission
Vehicle & Fleet Program to be administered by the General Services
Department, Fleet Management Division, under the direction of the Fleet
Manager, hereafter referred to as the Program Manager. The Program
Manager shall be responsible for implementing the provisions of this Chapter,
including: developing and implementing a plan for the acquisition of low-
emission vehicles by all departments, when practical; developing and
implementing a plan for the installation of California Air Resources Board
verified and/or certified retrofit devices on existing heavy duty vehicles that
are not low-emission vehicles, when practical; developing and implementing a
2
plan to obtain low-emission fleet status, when practical; training staff in the
use of such vehicles and retrofit devices; identifying necessary budgetary
resources for vehicle purchases and retrofit device purchase and installation;
analyzing and installing infrastructure to support low-emission vehicles, when
practical; developing a maintenance plan needed to ensure proper operation
of low-emission vehicles and retrofit devices. In developing the low-emission
vehicle & fleet program, emphasis should be placed on replacing and/or
retrofitting the oldest, most highly polluting vehicles in the Contra Costa
County fleet.
b) Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) shall not be purchased unless justified based on
verified work assignment. When such vehicles are a necessity every effort
shall be made to explore the purchase of a hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle.
Also in all fleet purchases, to the extent practical, Contra Costa County will
continue to support Alternate Fuel Vehicles (AFV) and strategies to reduce
the consumption of petroleum fuels. Law enforcement and Fire District
vehicles will be exempt from this policy. Others could be exempted only when
operational need is justified by the requesting department and approved by
the Program Manager.
c) Rules and Procedures. The Program Manager may promulgate such
administrative, management memorandum and/or procedures as may be
necessary to carry out the requirements of this Policy.
SECTION 3. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
a) Effective immediately upon adoption of this policy, all new light- and medium-
duty vehicles purchased or leased by Contra Costa County shall be low-
emission vehicles, when practical, as determined by the Fleet Manager.
3
b) Section 3(a) shall be waived by the Program Managers on a case-by-case
basis when no low-emission vehicle is available that achieves the essential
vehicle specifications for the use or the application in which the vehicle will be
employed.
SECTION 4. ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
Each fiscal year, the Program Manager shall submit a report to the Board of
Supervisors on the emission status of the fleet as part of the budget submittal
process.
4
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New York Times E 2
When a Crop, Becomes King,
by MichaelPollan/Published on Friday, July 19, 2002
CORNWALL BRIDGE, Conn. cereal crop. But nowhere have makers that rely on cheap
-•-- Here in southern New humans done quite as much to cora. For zea mays has
England the corn is already advance the interests of this triumphed by making itself
waist high and growing so plant as in North America, indispensable not to farmers
avidly you can almost hear the where zea mays has insinuated (wham it swiftly and surely
creak of stalk and leaf as the itself into our landscape, our bankrupting) but to the Archer
plants stretch toward the sun, food system --- and our federal Daniels Midlands, Tysons and
The ears of sweet corn are just budget. Coca-Colas of the world.
starting to show up'on local
farm stands, inaugurating one One need took no further than Our entire food supply has
of the ceremonies of an the $190 billion farm bill undergone a process of
American summer. These President Bush signed last "cornification" in recent years,
days the nation's nearly 80 month to wonder whose without our even noticing it.
million-acre field' of cern rolls interests are really being served That's because, unlike in
across the countryside like a here. Under the 10-year Mexico, where a com-based
second great lawn; but this program, taxpayers will pay diet has been the norm for
wholesome, all-American farmers $4 billion a year to grow centuries, in the United States
image obscures a decidedly evermore corn, this despite the most of the corn we consume
more dubious reality. fact that we struggle to get rid of is invisible, having been
the surplus the plant already heavily processed or passed
Like the tulip, the apple and produces. The average bushel through food animals before it
the potato, zea mays (the of corn (56 pounds) sells for reaches us. Most of the
botanical name for both sweet about$2 today; it costs farmers animals we eat (chickens, pigs
and feed corn) has evolved more than $3 to grow it. But and cows) today subsist on a
with humans over the past rather than design a program diet of corn, regardless of
10,000 years or so in the great that would encourage farmers to whether it is good for them. in
dance of species we call plant less corn ---which would the case of beef cattle, which
domestication. The plant have the benefit of lifting the evolved to eat grass, a corn
gratifies human needs, in price farmers receive'for it-- diet wreaks havoc on their
exchange for;which humans Congress has decided instead digestive system, making it
expand the plant's habitat, to subsidize corn by the bushel, necessary to feed them
moving its genes all over the thereby insuring that zea mays antibiotics to stave off illness
world and remaking the land dominion over its 125,000- and infection. Even farm-
(clearing trees, plowing the square mile American habitat raised salmon are being bred
ground, protecting it from its will go unchallenged. to tolerate cern �---not a food
enemies) so it might thrive. their'evolution has prepared
At first blush this subsidy might them for. Why feed fish corn?
Corn, by making itself tasty look like a handout for farmers, Because it's the cheapest
and nutritious, got itself noticed but really it's a form of welfare thing you can feed any animal,
by Christopher Columbus, who for the plant itself--w and for all thanks to federal subsidies.
helped expand its range from those economic interests that But even with more than half of
the New World to Europe and profit from its overproduction: the 10 billion bushels of corn
beyond. Today corn is the the processors, factory farms, produced annually being fed to
world's most widely planted and the soft drink and snack animals, there is plenty left
over. So companies like food system is doing to our greediest of plants, demanding
A.D.M., Cargill and ConAgra health, there's cause for more nitrogen fertilizer than
have figured ingenious new concern. It's probably no any other crop. Corn requires
ways to dispose of it, turning it coincidence that the wholesale more pesticide than any other
into everything from ethanol to switch to corn sweeteners in the food crop. Runoff from these
Vitamin C and biodegradable 1984's marks the beginning of chemicals finds its way into the
plastics. the epidemic of obesity and groundwater and, in the
Type 2 diabetes in this country. Midwestern corn belt, into the
By far the best strategy for Sweetness became so cheap Mississippi River, which
keeping zea mays in business that soft drink makers, rather carries it to the Gulf of Mexico.
has been the development of than lower their prices, super- where it has already killed off
high-fructose corn syrup, sized their serving portions and marine life in a 12,000 square
which has all but pushed sugar marketing budgets. Thousands mile area.
aside. Since the 1980's, most of new sweetened snack foods
soft drink manufacturers have hit the market, and the amount To produce the chemicals we
switched from sugar to corn of fructose in our diets soared. apply to our cornfields takes
sweeteners, as have most vast amounts of oil and natural
snack makers. Nearly 19 This would be bad enough for gas. (Nitrogen fertilizer is
percent of the calories the American waistline, but made from natural gars,
Americans consume now there's also preliminary pesticides from oil.) America's
come from corn sweeteners, research suggesting that high- corn crop might look lake a
the figure is 20 percent for fructose corn syrup is sustainable, solar-powered
many children. Add to that all metabolized differently than system for producing food, but
the corn-based animal protein other sugars, making it it is actually a huge, inefficient,
(cora-fed beef, chicken and potentially more harmful. A polluting machine that guzzles
pork) and the corn qua corn recent study at the University of fossil fuel —a half a gallon of
(chips, muffins, sweet corn) Minnesota found that a diet high it for every bushel.
and you have a plant that has in fructose (as compared to
become one of nature's glucose) elevates triglyceride So it seems corn has indeed
greatest success stories, by levels in men shortly after become king. We have given it
turning us (along with several eating,a phenomenon that has more of our land than any
other equally unwitting been linked to an increased risk other plant, an area more than
species) into an expanding of obesity and heart disease. twice the size of New York
race of corn eaters. Little is known about the health State. To keep it well fed and
effects of eating animals that safe from predators we douse
So why begrudge corn its have themselves eaten so much it with chemicals that poison
phenomenal success? Isn't corn, but in the case of cattle, our water and deepen our
this the way domestication is researchers have found that dependence on foreign oil.
supposed to work? corn-fed beef is higher in And then in order to dispose of
saturated fats than grass-fed all the corn this cracked
The problem in corn's case is beef. system has produced, we eat it
that we're sacrificing the health as fast as we can in as many
of both our bodies and the We know a lot more about what ways as we can ---turning the
environment by growing and 80 million acres of corn is doing fat of the land into, well, fat,
eating so much of it. Though to the health of our environment: One has to wonder whether
we're only beginning to serious and lasting damage. corn hasn't at last succeeded
understand what our cornified Modern corn hybrids are the in domesticating us.
Michael Pollan is the author, most recently, of"The Botany of Desire:A Plant's-Eye View of the World."
(LAPP contact. Charlie Peters/ (510) 537-1796 1 ca ocharlie( )�lilink.ne
Friday, September 17, 2004 r6eUndVehicies.com Daily Updates
High Emissions From Ethanal Confirmed; Califr rrjia JAYAiver ase'Soen Bolstered
A new study that confirms long-awaited study, saying the staff rttuce theamount of ethanol used in
considerable evaporative already accounts for ethanor.s..::. -. 31�rnia.gasoline annually to lower
hydrocarbon emission increases from permeation emissions in its regulation the permeation emissions. Bast
California vehicles running on and mitigates it with vapor pressure month, staff raised the potential for
ethanol-containing reformulated limits; that permeation emissions play such amendments at a workshop
gasoline(RFG)may bolster the a very small role in smog formation; attended by petroleum industry
state's push for a wavier to the and that the evaporative hydrocarbon representatives. "We are still
federal RFG oxygen mandate, and emissions will decrease significantly evaluating our options" regarding
may confirm the need to amend the as older vehicles are phased out of potential amendments to the fuel
state's Phase 3 RFG rules to reduce the California fleet. "The minor rules, the CARB source said this
ethanol use overall, sources said. increase in permeation is more than week.
offset by reductions in carbon
The study, sponsored by the monoxide and other more reactive Permeation is a diffusion process
California Air Resources Board tailpipe emissions," stated Bob whereby fuel molecules migrate
(GARB) and Georgia-based Dinneen, president of the Renewable through the rubber and plastic parts
Coordinating Research Council, finds Fuels Association (RFA). Dinneen that make up a vehicle's fuel and fuel
that a 5.7%-by-volume ethanol blend, added that when a higher ethanol vapor systems, according to the
which is the standard in California, blend is used --say, 10% ethanol study. The need for a study of the
increases permeation emissions 65% content-- permeation emissions permeation effects of ethanol became
compared with MTBE-blended RFG actually decrease. apparent in late 1999 when California
and 45% over non-oxygenated fuels, banned the use of MTBE in gasoline.
on average. The study, Fuel But a CARE source said that while With the ban --which became
Permeation from Automotive the state's RFG Phase 3 regulation effective starting in calendar year
Systems, was carried out and drafted vapor pressure rules"provide some 2004, but was essentially in place in
by Harold Haskew&Associates, Inc., emissions reductions that help offset 2003 because most of the refiners in
of Milford, M1, and Automotive a portion of the increase we are the state replaced MTBE with ethanol
Testing Laboratories, Inc., of Mesa, seeing from permeation . . . it is far that year--ethanol became the only
AZ. The test was designed to less than what the newly released oxygenate approved for use in
determine the magnitude of the study suggests is occurring from the California gasoline. "California must
permeation differences between three current fleet. Therefore, we cannot quantify the permeation effects of
fuels, containing either MTBE, agree with the conclusion" reached ethanol because California's statutes
ethanol, or no oxygenate, in the by RFA regarding vapor pressure require that any increase in fuel
selected test fleet. The testing was impacts. emissions be offset with a similar
conducted on a sample of 10 reduction from other sources,"the
California vehicles chosen to GARB officials may use the results of report states. The year-round use of
represent the light-duty, in-use fleet the study to bolster their request to oxygenated gasoline in severe and
as it existed in 2001. The oldest U.S. EPA for a waiver to the federal extreme ozone nonattainment areas
vehicle was a 1978 Oldsmobile RFG oxygen mandate, which requires is a federal requirement that applies
Cutlass, and the newest was a 2001 ethanol or MTBE use in gasoline. The to about 80% of the gasoline sold in
Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck, study"supports our previous analysis California.
according to the study. that permeation emissions are
increased considerably when ethanol California officials have argued for
"Emissions increased on all 10 mixtures are used, and therefore several years that refiners should be
vehicle fuel systems studied when strengthens the technical basis for given maximum flexibility to meet the
ethanol replaced the MTBE in the test the emissions benefits that could state's strict RFG pollutant emission
gasoline,"the study concludes. The occur if a waiver is granted," the limits, including the ability to produce
average permeation emissions CARB source said. However, non-oxygenated fuel if they desire.
increase with ethanol gasoline was numerous sources have said they do
1.4 grams/day(gld) higher than not expect EPA to make a decision Environmental groups are split over
emissions with the MTBE gasoline, on the state's renewed oxygen waiver the required use of ethanol in RFG,
and 1 A gld higher than emissions request before November's election. with the Natural Resources Defense
with a non-oxygenated gasoline. Council and other major groups
The study may also convince GARB opposed, and Biuewater Network and
Ethanol industry representatives this staff to draft amendments to the other water-focused groups strongly
week downplayed the results of the state's Phase 3 RFG regulation to in favor.
{LAPP contact: Charlie Peers %5'41 0) 53 7-1796charlie@earfhlin k.nett;
hitp://www.berkeleydaily.org/text/article.cfm?issue=09-17-04&storylD=l9654 777 _..
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L L Switch to Ethanol Fuels +
By ANNA OBERTHUR l Special to the Planet (09-1704)
Growing corn in America's California refiners have been using consumes more fossil fuel energy
heartland, distilling it into alcohol ethanol to meet a federal than the product can provide, in
and mixing it with gasoline to oxygenate requirement. addition to destroying the
power vehicles may sound like an environment.
ingenious way to be freed from Although it's supposed to help
dependency on foreign oil, cut reduce emissions, California "The most important part of the
down on air pollution and begin officials believe gasoline would story is that while we are
the transition to a renewable actually burn cleaner without the producing ethanol we are using
energy source. two percent mandate and have up resources," Patzek said.
requested a waiver. "Don't think for a second you are
But depending on where you getting a free ride."
stand, ethanol, a grain alcohol While touted as a renewable,
usually made from corn, is either cleaner burning fuel, critics call In his paper"Thermodynamics of
the answer to the United State's ethanol fundamentally the Corn-Ethanol Biofuel Cycle,"
energy concerns or a too-good- unsustainable and argue its which is to be published in the
to-be-=true boondoggle that serves production is fouling the water and journal Critical Reviews in Plant
only to pad the pockets of those polluting the air. What's worse, Sciences in December, Patzek
who manufacture it. they say, it's propped up by billions argues that energy from corn
of dollars in subsidies. ethanol is fundamentally
Regardless of who's right, unsustainable.
production and consumption of "It's a real boondoggle, no question
ethanol is on the rise, doubling about it," said David Pimentel, a With the corn crop's heavy need
since 2001. Eighty-rine plants in professor of agricultural sciences for insecticides, herbicides and
20 states are expected to at Cornell University, who has fertilizers, the production depletes
produce more than 3.3 billion chaired two Department of Energy the soil and pollutes the air and
gallons of ethanol by the end of studies on ethanol. "It's going to water, also contributing to
2004, according to the take a goad deal of fossil energy greenhouse gases in the
Renewable Fuels Association, (to make it) and we're going to atmosphere, he said.
the national trade group for import energy from the Saudis to
ethanol do it." "The worst thing is, we are doing
it for no good reason. It's of no
The Lawrence Berkeley National Most ethanol in the U.S. comes -benefit to anyone in this country,,'
Laboratory is now running about from corn, the nation's biggest Patzek said. "Nobody gains,
one-fifth of its vehicle fleet on E- crop. The plant and how it is grown nobody."
85, a gasohol blend of 85 percent are key elements in the debate
ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. over the subject, which ranges This is a point vehemently denied
The lab made the switch in July from the meaning of sustainability by the ethanol industry, which
with an $83,000 Department of to how best to tackle the country's says the product reduces smog-
Energy grant, building Northern energy needs as cheap oil supplies forming pollution, displaces
California's first ethanol fueling dwindle. imported fossil fuels and lowers
station. prices for consumers.
Pimentel and UC Berkeley
Nearly every gas tank in engineering professor Tad Patzek Numerous studies, including one
California has some ethanol in it. argue in separate studies that the by the USDA, have shown that
Since the state banned MTBE, production of corn ethanol actually ethanol has a "large and growing
positive energy balance," said California, accounting for the the Clean Air Trust, a Washington
Monte Shaw of the Renewable dramatic increase in its use, Shaw DC group dedicated to protecting
Fuels Association. said. the provisions of the Clean Air
Act.
"is ethanol a perfect product? I California first requested a waiver
guess you could argue no, from the U.S. Environmental Ethanol may be entirely
because you use fossil fuels to Protection Agency in 1999. The appropriate for use with gasoline,
create it," Shaw said. "But if you waiver was denied, and a second but that shouldn't be decided by
want to criticize ethanol, it's fair to request is pending, said Gennet statute, he-said. But because of
say, What's the cost of continued Paauwe of the California Air the sway ethanol makers have in
reliance on fossil fuels?We're Resources Board. Washington and among Corn Belt
going to put something in the state politicians, it is, said Billings.
tanks today. I think which is more "The California Air Resources
environmentally friendly is Board has demonstrated that the "ADM has an enormous stake in
obvious." oxygenate requirement is the production of ethanol, and
detrimental to our efforts to achieve they are a very high powered
Roland Hwang, vehicles policy healthy air quality," Gov.Arnold lobby," said Billings. "if you look
director for the Natural Resources Schwarzenegger wrote in a Jan. 28 at the U.S. Congress you see the
Defense Council in San letter to the EPA. The oxygenate fine handiwork of ADM on the
Francisco, said the organization "greatly increase the costs born by ethanol mandate."
doesn't support ethanol from corn California motorists,"
because of the environmental Schwarzenegger wrote. Perhaps as important is the grain
effects of production. state electorate--corn growers
The Renewable Fuels Association who see ethanol as a secure
"We're supportive of a long-term opposes the waiver and has market for their product.
biofuel future, but not from corn," submitted arguments to the EPA
Hwang said, noting that more urging the denial of California's "Any politician who doesn't
sustainable crops like poplar request. support ethanol would be a
trees can be made into ethanol. recovering politician," Billings
"Our primary concern is the fact California's gasoline vendors are said.
that the way ethanol is being important customers to ethanol
used right now is making the air giants like Decatur, Ill.-based Back at the in Berkeley fab,fleet
dirtier." Archer Daniels Midland Co. (more manager Don Prestella said
commonly known as ADM), which ethanol wasn't his first choice to
"Chat's California's concern, too. Shaw estimates controls about 30 comply with a 1999 presidential
percent of the market. order to reduce fossil fuel
Since former Gov. Gray Davis consumption at federal facilities.
banned use of the oxygenate California produces only 10 million
MTBE by 2003, California's had gallons of ethanol per year, so it He'd have preferred electric or
to rely on ethanol to comply with must buy the other 890 million hybrid vehicles, but E-85 was his
the federal requirement for two gallons it needs from Corn Belt only realistic option.
percent oxygenate in the state's states like Iowa, Nebraska and
smoggiest areas. Oxygenates are South Dakota. That's a pretty big "When you're up against the
supposed to make gas burn chunk of the 3.3 billion gallons bureaucracy,when you have to
cleaner, but the state has argued Shaw expects will be produced go up against an executive order
California would be better off nation-wide by the end of the year. from the president, you have to
without them. go with what you got," Prestella
Technicians, and not politicians, said. "Ethanol was our best
New York and Connecticut have should determine what is the strategy at the time."
also switched to ethanol after appropriate formulation of fuel,
banning MTBE, along with says Leon G. Billings, president of
CAPP contact Charlie Peters/ 5 53 7-1796/ca charlie earthlink.n
httR://www.imreview.ca.gov/meetiny -s/transcri is/transcri t ma 1704.doc
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
MEETING OF:
THE CALIFORNIA INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE
Monday, May 17, 2004
Sacramento, California a ;�
AFTERNtt ?�l SESSION
VICECHAIRCOVELL: We'll MR. CARLOCK: Then the benefit
switch positions a little bit in MR. CARLOCK: If you double the would increase.
terms of who's asking the number of vehicles going to test
questions at this point and only; is that what the question is? MR. PETERS: So the program
provide an opportunity now for performance will improve if the
those of you who listened to the MR. PETERS: The question was, if emissions readings in the
presentationthis morning as part you double the failure rate in the program, the data going into the
of the audience to ask any program, will the program program, doubles on failing cars,
questions that you have. The performance go up or down in the then the program performance
CARR representatives are seated model? will increase.
and ready to go, so who would
like to go first?Charlie, you're up. MR. CARLOCK: It'll go up. MR. OARLOCK: In general, yes.
MR. PETERS: Yes, Mr. MR. PETERS: So the more failing MR, PETERS: My, that's
Chairman, Mr. Covell and cars we have,the more credit we interesting data. So if we have a
committee, I'm Charlie Deters, get for emission reductions for the program that were to immediately
Glean Air Performance SIP; is that what you're saying? determine when a car was failing
Professionals, and we represent and where it can immediately get
motorists. I found an awful lot of MR. CARLOCK: In general, yes. fixed and we were to give
very interesting comments here That is, it depends on what you're appropriate credit to the program,
today. Obviously some people failing as far as whether you get ars the program credit would
have done some very hard work, additional benefit or not. probably be zero.
sweat over a lot of data and
information, making a lot of MR. PETERS: Question number MR. CARLOCK: I don't follow.
suggestions. But I'm confused by two. If the emissions failure result No, it would not be zero.
some of the things that 1 don't becomes twice as high,
hear, some of the things that are hydrocarbons, NOX readings on MR. PETERS: Every car that fell
not included, and I'd just like to the failure are twice as high, and out of compliance with state
start with a little question for if that's the only change that's going standard was immediately
there's anybody on this panel or into the model, will the program identified and immediately fully
in the committee that could performance go up or down? repaired.
maybe give me a little help.
MR. CARLOCK: If the average MR. CARLOCK: By who?
What happens if you were to take failing vehicle has higher emissions
the model that we're discussing that what we assume now; is that MR. PETERS: Doesn't matter. By
and evaluating this program and what you're asking? God.
you increase the failure rate by
double?Would that matte the MR. PETERS: That's exactly what I MR. OARLOCK: If it's identified
program performance go up or said. within the program, then there
down? would be benefit within the
iS 9
program. If you as the owner of MR. CARLOCK: Yes. MR. PETERS: But that should be
that vehicle was to identify and some data that is available.
repair it, then the only thing that MR. PETERS: —to evaluate it?
we could credit the program with MR. CARLOCK Sure.
is possibly a motivation for you to MR. CARLOCK: Yes.
do that. MR. PETERS: And is it possible
MR. PETERS: Have you also for you to share that data with the
MR. PETERS: You indicated, I evaluated whether or not what was committee and with myself, if
believe, Mr. Cartock, that there broken got fixed? possible?
were ongoing program
evaluations where you are MR. CARLOCK: Yes, MR. CARLOCK: Sure.
sending cars out in the Absolutely.
marketplace to determine MR. PETERS: And can you share
whether or not they get fixed for with us what that result looked MR. PETERS: So the failure rate,
the program performance; is that like? the emissions readings, the
correct? whether or not what's broken is
MR. OARLOCK: That's difficult to being repaired, I think would be
MR. CARLOCK: We do that tell you. I can tell you in very beneficial to the decision
periodically, we don't do it all the generalities is the higher the process of the committee and
time. vehicle emits, the more likely it is to behavior of the public and the
fall. The more likely it is to fail, the industry and whether or not they
MR. PETERS: How long has it more likely it is to receive an actually fixed what's broken I
been since you've done that? emissions benefit as far as repair, think would be a key issue as to
There are instances where what appropriate kinds of actions
MR. CARLOCK: The last large vehicles that are marginal are are necessary here to improve
item evaluation that we did was in failed, and when you try to fix those how the public's being treated,
the late nineties. the results are mixed. improve the air and improve the
total emissions. Would you say
MR. PETERS:And did you MR. PETERS: But I believe when a that would be a reasonable
determine specifically what was car is out of compliance that has possibility?
wrong with those cars and what it specific things that are wrong.
took to repair them before they MR. OARLOCK: I can say that
went out for evaluation? MR. CARLOCK: Yes. the data is available to anyone
that would like to request the
MR. OARLOCK: Dave corrects MR. PETERS: And the question is data.
me. He points out that we are about whether or not those specific
doing such an evaluation of the things that are wrong are MR. PETERS: And under what
OBD cars. determined before the evaluation kind of timeframe might I expect
and whether or not the specific to be able to get that data?
MR. PETERS: I'm sorry, I didn't things that are at fault on the car
hear that. get fixed. That's not a very complex MR. CARLOCK: Let's see, my
question. I think that should be flight is about three. If you call me
MR. OARLOCK: We are doing fairly simple data as to whether or tomorrow, I think you'd have it by
such an evaluation where we not what's broken is actually the end of the week.
send the cars out with an OBD getting fixed. You're talking about
specific fleet right now, so we are emissions readings and the level of MR. PETERS: That would be
doing an analysis right now. emissions readings, you're not delightful. Thank you, Mr.
talking about specific failure Chairman.
MR. PETERS: But my question readings.
is, when you do that, do you VICE CHAIR COVELL: All right,
determine what the car needs MR. CARLOCK: There's a very Charlie, thank you. If you have
repaired in order to fix it before simplistic answer. Sometimes they further questions you want to hold
you send it out— get fixed, sometimes they don't. them and we'll move around the
room and pick you up again.
CAPP contact: Charlie Peters / 510 537-1796/c}a . )c°h(irliera,,ecirthlil7k.17et
http:llwww2,ocregister.com/ocrwebloortarticle,do?id=94359§ion=COMMEN;ARY&subsection=COMMENTARY&year-2004&month=5&day=10
The Ordjftnge U' uunty Reeoister:
Monday, May 10, 2004 , M
E Y _ I
Cleaning the air at very littieCom ---
A number of bills are now rampant. As writer Tom Elim him or her know another test
pending in the state reported last year, the Bureau of vehicle would be coming
Legislature to try to put Automotive Repair conducted through soon, and three or four
together an ambitious anti- undercover checks at 1,500 of failures to fix things properly
smog program aimed mainly at 8,000 testing stations, and would lead to a loss of Smog
automobiles. All of them found discrepancies - from Check license.
involve spending more money testing a clean car in place of
- $200 million to $400 million a one that's dubious to charging "That would change behavior
year, according to those for fixes that are never made - in the direction of doing the job
writing bills and putting at most of them. right," Mr. Peters told us.
together coalitions to support "Considering how much bad
them. And the question is Clean Air Performance work is done now, we figure
where to get it. Among the Professionals, a smog check this approach would reduce
proposals are a higher fuel tax, provider industry and motorist toxic emissions by 50 percent
higher car-registration fees, or group, estimates that at least in a year. It wouldn't cost
higher Smog Check fees. some cheat:::-:g goes on at 80 more, it would just involve
percent of Snnog ; ,eck changing how Smog Check is
The intention behind this effort stations, But the administered."
is commendable, given the
large share of responsibility group has a proposal to fix Before embarking on a
that autos bear for poor air things. program to scrap more old
quality. But before the cars or barge onto a hydrogen
Schwarzeneger CAPP president Charlie Peters highway, the governor should
administration signs on, it has for years b--en proposing a consider CAPP's relatively
would do well to look into a quality audit of all Smog Check simple fix.
simpler approach. stations. It would be simple.
Send in a car with a known If it works, we'll have cleaner
California already has a Smog problem. If the known problem air and a more honest Smog
Check program under which is identified and fixed, fine. Check program.
motorists are required to have
their car's emissions tested If it isn't fixed, the Bureau of If it doesn't show results within
every other year. Automotive Repair regulators a couple of years, then we can
would inforryi the operator and consider more ambitious and
The trouble is that it isn't very give him the opportunity to more expensive approaches.
reliable and cheating is make the fix properly - and let
(CAPP contact: Charlie Peters/ (51(,) 537-1796/cgMch z��z� �cirthlink:r�e)t