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Home My WebLink AboutCC Res 4297 1994-04-25 RESOLUTION NO. ~ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH REAFFIRMING THE NEED FOR ZERO-EMISSION vmnCLES AS MANDATED IN CAUFORNIA'S LOW EMISSION AND CLEAN FUELS REGULATIONS I WHEREAS, the South Coast Air Basin is classified as an -Extreme- nonattainment area for ozone in accordance with the requirements of both federal and state Clean Air Acts; and WHEREAS, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is committed to comply with the requirements of both the federal and state Clean Air Acts; and WHEREAS, the adopted Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) for the South Coast Air Basin seeks air pollution control programs based on the concept of balanced emission reductions from all sources; and WHEREAS, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) adopted a Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) and Clean Fuels Program which requires that two pen::ent of the vehicles produced for sale in the state must be zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) starting in 1998, five pen::ent by 2001, and ten percellt by 2003; and WHEREAS, the AQMP for the South Coast Air Basin relies strongly on implementation of the State of California LEV program in order to make timely progress toward and to ultimately achieve the federal ozone air quality standard; and WHEREAS, the ARB is required to evaluate the progress in achieving the standards set forth in the Low Emission Vehicle Program in 1994. I NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Seal Beach supports the position of the South Coast Air Quality Management District regarding these programs, and makes the following findings, based on the latest technical information available and past actions of the Board of the SCAQMD: 1. The federal health-based ambient air quality standard for ozone is exceeded in the Basin by the largest margin in the United States. 2. Exceedances of this federal ambient air quality standard cause impairment of health in the Basin. 3. Exceedances of this federal ambient air quality standard severely impact public health as well as the quality of life in the Basin. 4. The vehicle miles traveled and socioeconomic growth projections for the region, as revised by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) forecast increased on-road motor vehicle emission estimates compared to those in the current AQMP. I S. There is strong evidence that on-road motor vehicle emission factors are significantly underestimated and greater emission reductions from the mobile source sector may be required than those set forth in the current AQMP to attain the federal ozone air quality r,tandareJ by 2010. I I I Resolution Number ~S1~ 6. The California Low Emission Vehicle and Clean Fuels Program is a significant and critical part of the implementation strategy needed in the South Coast Air Basin to attain clean air. 7. Any delays in the implementation of the Low Emission Vehicle and Clean Fuels Program will delay the attainment of air quality standards. 8. Additional emissions averaging beyond those currently provided by ARB regulations would increaSe in-use vehicle emissions and further delay attainment of AQMP mobile source emission reductions. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Seal Beach finds the following with respect to the ARB's ZEV mandate: 1. Zero-emission vehicle technology continues to mature to meet the ARB ZEV mandate. 2. Two advanced perfonnance batteries (sodium-nickel-chloride and nickel metal hydride) are projected to be commercially available in 1998, and are already being subject to on-road in-vehicle testing by auto makers. 3. Zero emission technology does not degrade in-use, but remains zero emission for the entire lifetime of the vehicle, while recent data indicates that emissions from current in-use vehicles can increase by two to three times. In direct response to the ZEV mandate, significant enb"'}lleneurial investment, as well as manufacturing plans, have been made by small, medium, and large California companies that could result in significant job creation. CALSTART has spearheaded this process and has made excellent progress. The SCAQMD has gained direct experience with electric vehicles over the last two yeius, through the demonstration of a wide variety of vehicles. Since 1989, the SCAQMD has provided $S.l million for ZEV technology development and demonstration projects. These demonstration programs show that significant improvements in electric vehicle technology has been made over that time. 6. On-going technology activities, especially in the development of fuel for mobile sources, are proceeding at a rapid rate and along with other ZEV technological advancements will provide the power sources of the future. Fuel cell vehicles will be operating on the roads in the latter 1990's. 4. s. 7. The certainty of the ZEV mandate is essential for ZEV technology to effectively compete for scarce resources, and to attract the capital investment needed for power source manufacturing and infrastructure facilities. 8. Both SCAG and SCAQMD have discussed the creation of a Southern California Economic Partnmhip to develop an electric vehicle infrastructure implementation strategy to ensure that electric vehicle charging station deployment begins in 1996 in support of electric vehicle market penetrations. This partnership would augment ongoing efforts by the utilities, Electric Power Research Institute and CALSTART. 9. Without the full implementation of the ARB's Low-Emission Vehicle program, including the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, there is simply co credible prospect for Southern California ever attaining healthful air quality. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that public education, entrepreneurial activity, and ZEV marketing activities will not occur if the public perceives a weakening of the ZEV regulations by the ARB; and Resolution Number ~~~~ , BE IT FURTIlER RESOLVED, that relaxation of the ZEV regulations by the ARB will require SCAQMD to seek additional emission reductions from local stationary sources which can only be achieved at greater expense, and that the City Council of the City of Seal Beach will oppose any shifting of feasible emission reduction requirements for motor vehicles to local businesses; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Seal Beach hereby supports the position of the SCAQMD in reaff1J'l1ling its support to the State of California I to continue its Low Emission Vehicle and Clean Fuels regulation, especilllly the Zero-Emission Vehicle mandate. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Seal Beach ~ meeting thereof held on the ,;,?~~ day of 'ILLL , 1994 by the following vote: AYES: Councilmem ~ ~~ Councilmembers NOES: ABSENT: ~A~" / r?:"",1" L MAYOR ~...~,'\~\\\\ .#"o~ SEAL .,\\111 .='..1. .........~.d., -~,. ..0..0.....'~'1; ~ I'.:~c;. ''';...1- '- '~.,1 .,.:. .., . . 0: 'f!: ~ ,..~ o::!' . ro .. ":,.." ... "" ~ -II':. _.0" fit'&' oW 0 ~~Q~...~.t 1'. '.... ~ (', .......". ,...~ OON11.~ ~\\\\~m ~ .;.s I STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF ORANGE CITY OF SEAL BEACH } } } SS I, Joanne M. Yea, City Clerk of Seal Beach, Califi~' , do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is the original copy of Resolution Numb on file in the office of the City Clerk, passed, approved, and ad~ ~I.~ City Council 0 the Ci~BeaCh, at a regular meeting thereof held on the d1~ - day of 'L , 1994. I