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Overview of the California Air Resources Board

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulates emissions from motor vehicles, fuels, consumer products, and stationary and area sources to improve air quality and protect public health in California. CARB implements performance-based emission standards, incentive funding, market-based programs, and enforcement and monitoring programs. Science informs CARB's policies, and the agency has set ambitious targets for air quality, diesel and freight transport, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

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Overview of the California Air Resources Board

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  1. Overview of the California Air Resources Board Bart Croes, Chief Research Division bcroes@arb.ca.gov 1-916-323-4519

  2. We regulate emissions Authorities Motor Vehicles and Fuels (under federal Clean Air Act exemption) Air Toxics, Consumer Products, Greenhouse Gases (under California law) Oversight over Local Responsibilities Stationary and Area Sources Transportation Planning Targets Rulemaking Process Public Hearing of Governing Board Public Workshops and Stakeholder Meetings Public and Legislative Support

  3. Our national impact Federal Clean Air Act Exemption for California vehicle emission standards To meet “compelling and extraordinary” conditions Must meet or exceed federal regulations Can be adopted by other states (15 including Northeast States, Oregon, Washington) California Firsts Lead-free gasoline Low-sulfur fuels Three-way catalytic convertor Stringent NOX control

  4. California’s air pollution problem Unique geography and meteorology confine air pollutants Over 90% of Californians breathe unhealthy air 38 M people 90 people per km2 24 M gasoline cars 1.3 M diesel vehicles 1.4 B km per day 18 M off-road engines 3 large container ports

  5. Traffic on world’s first freeway (1950s)

  6. Air quality after World War II Unhealthy levels of lead, NO2, SO2, CO, ozone, particulate matter, and air toxics Poor visibility Difficulty breathing Extreme eye irritation In Los Angeles Over 100 smog alerts annually Over 300 days with unhealthy air annually

  7. Our policy instruments Performance-based Emission Standards Aftertreatment effective but turnover slow Retrofits and repowering also beneficial Fuel improvements provide immediate benefits Incentive Funding $150M per year for diesel engines $1B for port trucks and equipment Market-based Programs Carbon emission trading for large sources Enforcement and Monitoring Programs

  8. Science informs our policies Legislative Requirements Automotive Engineer and M.D. on Governing Board Health-based ambient air quality standards Extramural research program with external oversight Peer review of scientific basis for regulations Workforce 70% engineers and scientists In-house research Field/Modeling Studies Los Angeles and San Joaquin Valley Air Basins

  9. Performance-based regulations Mobile Sources (>99% gasoline, 98% diesel reduction) Cleaner engines Aftertreatment Cleaner gasoline and diesel fuel Alternative fuels Stationary Sources (80-90% reduction) Low-NOX burners Selective catalytic reduction Cleaner fuels Area Sources (>75% reduction) Vapor recovery Low-volatility solvents, paints, consumer products

  10. California emission trends

  11. Air pollution reduced 75-90% despite growth Carbon Monoxide Nitrogen Dioxide Sulfur Dioxide Population Number of Vehicles Vehicle Miles Ozone – Los Angeles peak reduced 70%, hours of exposure by 90% PM10 – annual-average levels reduced 75% Air toxics – lead eliminated, cancer risk reduced 80% (since 1989) Black carbon – reduced 90% (95% by 2020)

  12. Costs of Control 0.5% GDP (US 1990-2020) Benefits of Control $10-95 in health benefits for each $1 of control (US 1970-1990) $30 in health benefits for each $1 of control (US 1990-2020)* Air pollution control industry – 32,000 jobs and $6.2B (CA 2001) Clean energy industry – 123,000 jobs and $27B (CA 2009) U.S. EPA Reports to Congress on The Benefits and Costs of the Clean Air Act (www.epa.gov/air/sect812/index.html) * 1990-2020 uncertainty analysis under development

  13. Our current targets Air Quality By 2020, attain annual PM2.5 of 12 µg/m3 By 2023, attain 8-hour ozone of 80 ppb By 2025, attain 24-hour PM2.5 of 35 µg/m3 By 2032, attain 8-hour ozone of 75 ppb Diesel and Freight Transport By 2020, diesel PM risk 85% below 2000 levels Greenhouse Gases By 2020, reduce to 1990 levels By 2050, 80% below 1990 levels

  14. Summary • California had the worst air quality in the world • Emissions reduced 75-99% by • Emission standards, primarily transportation sources • Low-sulfur and other cleaner fuels • Diesel retrofits • Transportation planning • Air quality improved 75-90% despite growth • Control costs outweighed by large public health benefits, improved crop yields, and job creation

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