PURPOSE:

PURPOSE:

To provide City Council a report on compliance with the proposed control measure �Diesel Particulate Matter Control Measure for On-Road Heavy-Duty Residential and Commercial Solid Waste Collection Vehicle Diesel Engines� set forth by the California Air Resources Board. 

BACKGROUND:

In 1998, the Air Resources Board (ARB) identified diesel particulate matter (PM) as a toxic air contaminant.  Because of the amount of emissions to California�s air and its potency, diesel particulate matter is by far the number one contributor to the adverse health impacts of toxic air contaminants.

In October 2000, the ARB adopted the �Risk Reduction Plan to Reduce Particulate Matter Emissions from Diesel-Fueled Engines and Vehicles,� which established a goal of reducing emissions and the resultant health risk from virtually all diesel-fueled engines and vehicles within the State of California by the year 2020.  

In June 2003, the ARB proposed the �Diesel Particulate Matter Control Measure for On-Road Heavy-Duty Residential and Commercial Solid Waste Collection Vehicle Diesel Engines.� This regulation applies to solid waste collection vehicle owners, whether private or governmental entities, and to municipalities that authorize private owners through a contract, franchise agreement, permit, license or similar approval for residential and commercial solid waste collection service.   The regulation will mandate the reduction of diesel PM emissions from 1960 to 2006 model year on-road diesel-fueled heavy-duty residential and commercial solid waste collection vehicles.

Owners of collection vehicles will be required to install approved retrofit PM control systems on their existing engines or install new alternative-fuel or heavy-duty pilot-ignition diesel engines.  The requirement for compliance will be phased-in between December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2010, by engine model year group. 

In addition to complying with the new regulations, municipalities that contract for refuse service bear joint responsibility with the private refuse service vehicle owners for compliance and enforcement of the above requirements for their vehicles that are used in the performance of the contract service.   Municipalities will be required to submit reports to the ARB beginning in 2004 through 2013, which identify all contractors and certify compliance by those contractors with this rule.  If any contractor fails to meet or becomes non-compliant, the municipalities are required to notify the ARB within 30 days of determination.

The proposed control measure is expected to be adopted and become law in July 2004.

ANALYSIS:

In September 2003, staff reviewed the City�s replacement schedule of its 26 refuse trucks that would be impacted by this mandate.  According to the schedule, all but one refuse truck will meet the compliance deadline.  Staff has moved up the replacement date of this vehicle, by one year, in order to fully comply with the proposed mandate.  Currently, fifteen compressed natural gas (CNG) refuse trucks are on order, and will be in-service by August 2004.  An additional seven trucks will be in service by June 2005, with the remaining four trucks in service by June 2006.  All refuse trucks in the City�s fleet will be fueled by CNG.

In anticipation that all other diesel powered trucks will fall under a similar mandate in the future, staff has looked at the regular replacement cycle of all General City fleet diesel trucks. There are a total of 59 diesel vehicles in the General City fleet.  By the year 2007, approximately 75% of the diesel trucks will be fueled by CNG or gasoline.  Staff anticipates easily complying with any future mandates based on our regular replacement schedule and therefore, does not recommend any actions be taken.  These figures do not include Fire or Burbank Water and Power diesel powered trucks.  Past history indicates that fire emergency service vehicles will probably be exempt from any mandates.

In an effort to continue the City�s commitment to achieve a cleaner environment, staff has researched cleaner burning diesel fuels that can be used in the City�s diesel fleet today.  Bio-diesel and low-sulfur diesel fuels are two widely available cleaner burning options. 

Biodiesel is a cleaner-burning diesel replacement fuel made from natural, renewable sources such as new and used vegetable oils and animal fats.  Blends of up to 20% biodiesel (mixed with petroleum diesel fuels) can be used in nearly all diesel equipment.  Using biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine reduces most emissions constituents.     However, emissions of nitrogen oxides increase with the concentration of biodiesel in the fuel.

Low-sulfur diesel fuel can also be used in nearly all diesel equipment.  This fuel, unlike biodiesel, reduces all emissions constituents, including nitrogen oxides.  AQMD Rule 431.2 �Sulfur Content of Liquid Fuels� will require all diesel fuel sold and used on or after June 1, 2006, not to exceed a sulfur content of 15ppm.  The City is currently using low-sulfur diesel, meeting the proposed rule.  Staff recommends that the City continue to use low-sulfur diesel fuel instead of biodiesel. 

FISCAL IMPACT:

There will be no fiscal impact in complying with the proposed control measure. 

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends that City Council note and file this report.

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