Indicator
Odor - Reduce Diesel Engine Fumes
2015 Evaluation
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2015 Evaluation
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Status
Implemented
Rationale Details
Implemented. The odor threshold standard was determined to be implemented. A review of the current adopted policies, ordinances, and rules of TRPA, state and federal agencies has found support of the policy statement. These agencies have adopted policies and measures that address diesel odor. However, because no monitoring occurs, it is not possible to say whether or not these policies, ordinances, and rules are having their intended effect.
Outcomes
Programs and Actions Implemented to Improve Conditions
Support for attainment of this policy statement is comprised of adopted policies and ordinances. This policy is a component of transportation control measures in the Regional Transportation Plan, and "...limits vehicle idling in the Region."3 More specifically, this policy refers to components adopted in the TRPA Code of Ordinances, Chapter 91, which addresses vehicle idling restrictions, exemptions, and compliance programs. The relevant code is cited below. These ordinances are implemented at the project scale through the project review process.

91.7 Idling Restrictions: A program to control extended vehicle idling is a Reasonably Available Control Technology in the Clean Air Acts of 1977, and is a contingency measure in the 1992 Air Quality Plan for the Lake Tahoe Basin.

91.7A - Duration: No person shall control a combustion engine in a parked auto, bus, or boat to idle for more than 30 consecutive minutes in the following Plan Areas: 070A, 080, 089A, 089B, 090, 091, and 092. The following projects and activities are not subject to this limitation:

Activities specifically permitted, after environmental impact analysis, to idle more than 30 minutes

Emergency vehicles, snowplows, or combustion engines required in the case of emergencies or repair

Vehicles in transit on public rights of way

91.7B - Drive-Up Windows: New drive-up windows are prohibited.

91.7C - Compliance Program: TRPA shall implement the provisions of Subsection 91.7.A primarily through educational programs, notification programs, and cooperative arrangements with charter operators, property owners in the affected plan areas, and local government. As appropriate, TRPA may take direct action to obtain compliance with this section, including, but not limited to, actions under Chapter 8 and 9 of the Code.

According to the adopted ordinance found in the TRPA Code of Ordinances, a compliance program addressing the idling restriction shall be implemented "...primarily through educational programs, notification programs, and cooperative arrangements with charter operators, property owners in the affected plan areas, and local government." According to TRPA's Long Range and Transportation Planning Division, the agency continuously works with local public transportation providers to fund and support the purchase of alternative fuel buses in support of this ordinance. Because of more stringent state and federal policies and tail-pipe emission standards, and ordinances and programs that reduce diesel emissions, it was found that TRPA should focus on this type of policy support, instead of focusing on specific education and outreach programs.

There are currently no monitoring efforts underway that could be used to assess the effectiveness of implemented TRPA policies and ordinances on diesel emissions. However, stringent state and federal measures and programs have been shown to be effective in reducing odor emissions.

State and Federal Odor Reduction Measures- Adopted in 1988, California diesel fuel regulations set limits on aromatic hydrocarbon content (10 percent by volume) and on sulfur content (500 parts per million by weight, ppmw). These regulations, in effect since 1993, reduce emissions from diesel engines and equipment as follows:

7 percent less oxides of nitrogen (NOx)

25 percent less particulate matter (PM)

80 percent less sulfur oxides (SO2) and several other toxic substances such as benzene and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented a stricter "low sulfur" diesel fuel restriction requiring a sulfur level of 15 ppmw or less beginning in 2007 (phase-in schedule 2007-2010). CARB is also responsible for an anti-idling rule, specifically applying to drivers of diesel-fueled commercial vehicles with a gross weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds. The anti-idling rule imposes a five-minute idling limit for these vehicles at any location in California. Lastly, the rule requires all 2008 and newer model-year diesel engines "...either be equipped with a non-programmable automatic engine shutdown system that shuts the idling engine down after a minimum period of time or must be certified to a NOx idling emission standard of 30 grams per hour." Exceptions to these idling restrictions include school buses, recreational vehicles, and military vehicles.

The following odor reduction measures have been implemented specifically by CARB:

CARB Specific Diesel Emission Reduction Measures: The identification of diesel particulate matter (PM) as a toxic air contaminant in 1998 led CARB to adopt the Risk Reduction Plan to Reduce Particulate Matter Emissions from Diesel-Fueled Engines and Vehicles in September 2000.

Fleet Rule for Transit Agencies (adopted 2000): This regulation cuts NOx and PM emissions from approximately 10,000 buses operated by transit agencies. The fleet rule for transit agencies moves forward in steps over 10 years, requiring cleaner engines, cleaner fuel, and retrofitting of older buses. Amendments proposed for 2004 will require transit agencies to clean up the buses that had not been covered in the original rule.

School Bus Idling Restrictions (adopted 2002): To reduce the exposure of children to toxic PM emissions, CARB enacted a rule to stop the prolonged idling of diesel school buses and other diesel vehicles near schools. Buses and commercial diesel vehicles are required to turn off their engines after arriving at a school and are allowed to start the engine no more than 30 seconds before departing, unless required for safety or work.

Stationary Engines (adopted 2004): There are approximately 26,000 stationary diesel- fueled engines in California. Most are used as emergency backup in the event of a power failure. Others are used to pump water in agricultural areas, to run compressors, cranes and other equipment. New CARB standards for these engines will bring an approximate 80 percent PM reduction by 2020 through stricter standards for new engines and requirements to retrofit existing engines.

Transport Refrigeration Units (adopted 2004): Transport refrigeration units (TRUs) are diesel-powered units that cool temperature-sensitive products while they are being shipped in trucks, trailers, shipping containers and rail cars. Although the diesel engines powering TRUs tend to be relatively small, there are about 40,000 of them operating in California. Their PM emissions will be reduced by 65 percent by 2010 and by 92 percent by 2020.

In addition to regulations and standards for diesel engine emissions, the U.S. EPA has developed assistance programs that award funding for clean diesel projects and technologies. As part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) authorizes funding of up to $200 million annually to help fleet owners reduce diesel emissions.

Additional Reductions Attributed to State and Federal Measures – As a result of the "low sulfur" diesel fuel restriction implemented in 2007, which required a diesel fuel sulfur level of 15 ppmw or less, refiners began producing cleaner burning fuels beginning in 2006. The EPA estimates that 2.6 million tons of smog-causing nitrogen oxide emissions will be reduced each year, with particulate matter being reduced by 110,000 tons a year. In addition, this diesel fuel requirement substantially decreases negative health effects associated from these harmful emissions. According to the U.S. EPA, "...an estimated 8,300 premature deaths, 5,500 cases of chronic bronchitis and 17,600 cases of acute bronchitis in children will be prevented annually," with an additionally estimated "...360,000 asthma attacks and 386,000 cases of respiratory symptoms in asthmatic children also avoided every year."
Effectiveness of Programs and Actions
Based on current TRPA and state and federal actions, it appears that state and federal measures and programs have been effective in reducing odor. In addition, state and federal actions, in conjunction with adopted TRPA policies, appear to be sufficient in lieu of TRPA program support.
Interim Target
Target Attainment Date
Recommendations
Analytic Approach
No changes recommended
Monitoring Approach
No changes recommended
Modification of the Threshold Standard or Indicator
Resolution 82-11 intended that policy statements be incorporated into the TRPA Regional Plan. This evaluation demonstrates that TRPA and other agencies have incorporated and supported the policy statement. Consequently, it is recommended that this policy statement be removed from the list of adopted threshold standards in Resolution 82-11, or translated into a numerical standard for which an objective determination of status can be determined. For example, TRPA could instead use applicable ambient air quality standards for NOx, SO2, CO and PM that are directly related to diesel engine emissions to measure attainment with the diesel odor standard.
Attain or Maintain Threshold
No changes recommended
Additional Figures and Resources

No photos available.

No documents available.