State of California
AIR RESOURCES BOARD

Summary of Board Meeting
June 24, 1999

Air Resources Board
Board Hearing Room, Lower Level
2020 "L" Street
Sacramento, California


MEMBERS PRESENT: Hons. Alan C. Lloyd, Ph.D., Chairman

Joseph C. Calhoun, P.E.
Mark DeSaulnier
Matthew R. McKinnon
Barbara Patrick
Barbara Riordan
Ron Roberts


AGENDA ITEM #

99-5-1 Public Hearing to Consider Amendments to the California Reformulated Gasoline Regulations Regarding Winter Oxygen Requirements in the Lake Tahoe Air Basin and Labeling Pumps Dispensing Gasoline Containing MTBE

SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEM:

The staff presented amendments to the reformulated gasoline regulations that would implement portions of the Governor's Executive Order D-5-99. The proposed amendments would rescind the wintertime oxygen content requirement in the Lake Tahoe area and require the labeling of pumps dispensing gasoline containing MTBE.

Staff proposed to rescind the wintertime oxygen content requirement in the Lake Tahoe Air Basin. This requirement is no longer necessary because the Lake Tahoe Area has been designated in attainment for both the federal and State ambient carbon monoxide (CO) standards, and staff demonstrated to the Board that the rescission would not result in any violations of applicable CO standards. Staff indicated that the amendment was necessary to provide additional flexibility to gasoline) producers to supply non-oxygenated gasoline to the Lake Tahoe area during the winter months.

Staff also proposed new statewide regulations to require the labeling of pumps dispensing gasoline containing MTBE. The proposal requires that pumps be labeled "Contains MTBE" if the gasoline being dispensed has an MTBE content of 0.6 volume percent or greater. The proposal also specifies a contrasting background color on the label as well as requirements for minimum lettering size, location, and durability. In addition, the proposal requires the label to carry an environmental statement reflecting the Governor's findings on MTBE.

To assist service station operators to properly label their pumps, staff proposed to require that gasoline distributors identify on a bill of lading or other documentation whether the gasoline being delivered contains MTBE, and that distributors be prohibited from delivering gasoline containing MTBE unless the pumps are properly labeled.

Several methods were proposed to assist service station operators in determining the MTBE content of their gasoline. These include a simple table, computer software, analytical testing, and any other method approved by the ARB Executive Officer which would provide similar results.

In proposing the statewide labeling requirements, staff made several modifications to the original proposal contained in the Staff Report, which will be made available to the public during a supplemental 15-day comment period.

Most comments on the proposed amendments were generally supportive. However, some commentors did suggest minor changes to the labeling requirements. The independent oil marketers did not support the proposed labeling requirements.

ORAL TESTIMONY:

Gordon Shremp
California Energy Commission

Robert Baer
South Tahoe Public Utility District

Thomas Robinson
Robinson Oil Company, Inc.

James White
White Environmental Associates


Al Jessel
Western States Petroleum Association

Nick Economides
Oxygenated Fuels Association

Jay McKeeman
California Independent Oil Marketers Association

FORMAL BOARD ACTION:

The Board approved resolution 99-22 by a unanimous vote.

RESPONSIBLE DIVISION: SSD

STAFF REPORT: Yes (96 pages)
99-5-2 Public Hearing to Consider the Adoption, Amendment, and Repeal of Regulations Regarding Certification Procedures and Test Procedures for Gasoline Vapor Recovery Systems

SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEM:

Staff presented their proposal to amend four existing vapor recovery Certification and Test Procedures. The revised procedures include the certification procedure for Phase II systems (CP-201), the dynamic backpressure test (TP-201.4), the air to liquid (A/L) ratio test (TP-201.5), and the liquid removal test (TP-201.6). These ARB certification and test procedures are used to certify prototype systems and to determine compliance of installed systems. The amendments improve and clarify warranty requirements and test procedures, enhance quality assurance and calibration requirements, and correct errors. The amended vapor recovery certification and test procedures are referenced in sections 94011, 94153, 94154, and 94155, Title 17, California Code of Regulations.

ORAL TESTIMONY: None

FORMAL BOARD ACTION:

Approved Resolution 99-23 by a unanimous vote.

RESPONSIBLE DIVISION: MLD, CD

STAFF REPORT: YES (145 pages)
99-5-3 Public Meeting to Consider an Update on California's Air Toxics Program and Related Community Health Issues

SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEM:

Staff presented an informational update on California's air toxics program and related community health issues. The update included discussions of the air toxics program framework, accomplishments and initiatives, community health issues, and diesel particulate matter.

ORAL TESTIMONY: None

FORMAL BOARD ACTION: None

RESPONSIBLE DIVISION: SSD

STAFF REPORT: None

99-5-4 Consideration of Research Proposals

The Board approved Resolutions 99-24 through 99-29 by a unanimous vote.