State of California
AIR RESOURCES BOARD
Bay Area Air Pollution Control District
939 Ellis Street
San Francisco, CA
February 21, 1973
9:30 a.m.
AGENDA
1. Approval of Minutes of February 7, 1973 Meeting.
2. NOx Control Devices with VSAD.
3. Consideration of Applications for Approval of NOx Control
Devices:
a. Carter Carburetor
b. STP Corporation
c. Dana Corporation
4. Consideration of Request for Exemption of 1966-70 Vehicles
Fitted with Air Quality Product Device.
5. Report on Survey Adjustment Practices of New Car Dealers.
6. Consideration of Board Policy Concerning the Surveillance of
New Vehicles for Compliance with End of Assembly-Line
Requirements.
7. Consideration of Local District Agricultural Burning
implementation Plans.
8. Applications for Extension of Open Burning at Disposal Sites
in Glenn and Siskiyou Counties.
9. Legislation Committee Report on Transportation Control Plan.
10. Request from Solano County for the Exemption of 1955-65
Vehicles in the Sacramento Valley Portion of the County from
the Requirement for Exhaust Retrofit Devices.
11. Other Business.
12. Remarks from Audience - End of Morning and Afternoon
Sessions.
ITEM
Applications for Exemption or Accreditation of Vacuum Spark
Advance Disconnect (VSAD) type devices for 1966 through 1970
model vehicles.
DISCUSSION
In subsequent agenda items during todays meeting the use of VSAD
type exhaust control devices will be considered by the Board.
Carter Carburetor is seeking accreditation and Air Quality
Products is requesting an exemption.
On August 23, 1972 the Board adopted a policy in opposition to
VSAD only as a means of controlling NOx for 1966-70 vehicles. If
this policy is continued the Board would not be able to act
formally on the pending requests by Carter Carburetor and Air
Quality Products unless the Board found these devices were not
VSAD only.
In the cases of Carter Carburetor and Air Quality Products the
devices provide some degree of protection against exhaust valve
effects by restoring normal vacuum advance at speeds above 65
mph. Also the Carter system includes some protection against
overheating. However, these devices essentially remain VSAD
systems since there is little vacuum spark advance above 65 mph.
A November 21, 1972, summary staff report is resubmitted for
information.
OPTIONS
1. Continue the Board position against exemption or
accreditation of devices which are simple VSAD or
essentially simple VSAD.
2. Accredit or exempt VSAD devices, including simple VSAD,
which comply with emissions control requirements.
3. Establish a separate classification for devices that include
VSAD and which would be eligible for exemption.
ITEM
Carter Carburetor Division, ACF Industries, Application for
Accreditation of an NOx Control Device for 1966-1970 Model-Year
Vehicles.
RECOMMENDATION
Deny Carter Carburetor Division's application for accreditation.
SUMMARY
Carter Carburetor Division has submitted an application for
accreditation of its device for NOx exhaust emission control for
1966-1970 model-year vehicles in classes (b) through (f).
The device uses vacuum spark advance disconnect plus engine
adjustments. The system includes features intended to protect
the engine from excessive exhaust gas temperatures. The staff
finds that the applicant's device meets the emission standards
and general standards. However, the system has potential for
adverse effects on overheating and valves. The present policy of
the Board is in opposition to VSAD only as a means of reducing
NOx in 1966-70 vehicles. Also, the temperature sensor may
deactivate the system much of the time in warm weather.
ITEM
Dana Corporation's Application for Accreditation of an NOx
Control Device for 1966-70 Model Class (a) Vehicles.
RECOMMENDATION
Deny Accreditation.
SUMMARY
Dana Corporation has re-applied for accreditation of its NOx
control device for Class (a) vehicles. The initial application
was denied because of the Board's reservations concerning drive
ability and increased hydrocarbons. The device has been modified
and additional test data submitted. this modification resulted
in satisfactory drive ability. However, the hydrocarbon increase
is still significant; Dana's fleet average increase in
hydrocarbons was 17.2%. Successive confirmatory tests conducted
by the ARB Laboratory on one vehicle, a Volkswagen, showed an
increase in hydrocarbons of 24.4%, 64%, and 40% respectively.
ITEM
Request of Air Quality Products (AQP) for exemption for vehicles
equipped with its modified emission control system for 1966-70
light-duty vehicles. (See AQP letter attached).
DISCUSSION
Section 39177 of the Health and Safety Code provides:
"The Board may exempt classifications of motor vehicles for
which accredited devices were not intended or are not
available, and motor vehicles whose emissions are found by
appropriate tests to meet state standards without additional
equipment, and motor-driven cycles, implements of husbandry,
and vehicles which quality for special license plates under
section 5004 of the Vehicle Code."
Two problems are present in considering the AQP device under this
Section. First, is the AQP device "additional equipment"?
Second, can a class of vehicles be exempt?
ITEM
Survey of Adjustment practices of Manufacturers and New Car
Dealers.
RECOMMENDATION
None. (this is related to agenda item concerning Proposed
Changes in Engine Adjustment Policy for Surveillance of New
Vehicles for Compliance with End of Assembly-Line Requirements).
SUMMARY
The staff has conducted a survey of new car dealers to determine
if new car engines are being adjusted to manufacturers
specifications. The survey shows some improvement in adjustment
practices since the last survey in 1971.
ITEM
Proposed Changes in Engine Adjustment Policy for Surveillance of
New Vehicles for Compliance with End of Assembly-Line
Requirements.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt proposed policy.
SUMMARY
The assembly-line test procedures require all vehicles to be
adjusted to the manufacturer's specifications for delivery to
customers prior to emission testing. To assure compliance with
this requirement, the Executive Officer requested each
manufacturer to submit his plan of engine adjustment practices.
These plans have been evaluated and a proposed policy developed.
ITEM
Approval of Agricultural Burning Implementation Plans.
CONCLUSION
1. Ten of the fifteen districts have submitted plans which are
consistent with the Board's Agricultural Burning Guidelines
(see Resolution 73-1a). The staff recommends approval of
these plans.
2. Five of the fifteen districts have submitted plans which
require adjustments to be consistent with the Board's
Agricultural Burning Guidelines (see Resolution 73-2b). The
staff recommends conditional approval of these plans.
3. Seven Air Pollution Control Districts have still not
submitted agricultural burning implementation plans as
required by the Board's Agricultural Burning Guidelines.
these districts were advised by letter to have their plans
submitted for consideration by the Board on February 21,
1973. As of February 14, 1973, plans have not been received
from these districts. Public hearings should be planned to
consider adoption of agricultural burning implementation
plans for these districts by the Board if necessary. The
staff recommends adoption of Resolution 73-6.
ITEM
Staff Report on Applications from Cities and Counties to Continue
Open Burning at Waste Disposal Sites.
INTRODUCTION
As of December 6, 1972 meeting, the Air Resources Board approved
time extension to use open fires for the purpose of disposal of
solid waste for 199 city and county disposal sites. the board
has received since then requests to extend the previously
approved extensions in Glenn and Siskiyou Counties.
The staff recommends denial of the additional extensions in both
counties.