California Air Resources Board
Encyclopedia
The California Air Resources Board, also known as CARB or ARB, is the "clean air agency" in the government of California
. Established in 1967 in the Mulford-Carrell Act, combining the Bureau of Air Sanitation and the Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Board, CARB is a department within the cabinet
-level California Environmental Protection Agency
. California is the only state that is permitted to have such a regulatory agency, since it is the only state that had one before the passage of the federal Clean Air Act. Other states are permitted to follow CARB standards, or use the federal ones, but not set their own.
The stated goals of CARB include attaining and maintaining healthy air quality; protecting the public from exposure to toxic air contaminants; and providing innovative approaches for complying with air pollution rules and regulations.
The governing board is made up of eleven members appointed by the state's governor
. Half of the appointees are experts in professional and science fields such as medicine
, chemistry
, physics
, meteorology
, engineering
, business, and law. Others represent the pollution control agencies of regional districts within California - Los Angeles
region, San Francisco Bay area, San Diego, the San Joaquin Valley
, and other districts.
The Planning and Technical Support Division has five branches:
The air quality and atmospheric pollution dispersion models
routinely used by this Section include a number of the models recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA). The Section also uses models which were either developed by CARB or whose development was funded by CARB, such as:
, where prolonged pollution episodes are frequent. The first ruling was the 1990 Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV I) Program.
The first definition has its origin in the California ZEV rule, adopted as part of the 1990 Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV I) Program mandated by CARB. The ZEV regulation has evolved and been modified several times since 1990, and several new partial or low-emission categories were created and defined as follows:
The Low-Emission Vehicle Program is currently under revision to define modified ZEV regulations for 2015 models.
and distributors to ensure that the mix of fuel they sell in the Californian market meets the established declining targets for greenhouse gas
emissions measured in CO2-equivalent gram
s per unit of fuel energy sold for transport purposes. The 2007 Governor's LCFS directive calls for a reduction of at least 10% in the carbon intensity of California's transportation fuels by 2020. These reductions include not only tailpipe emissions but also all other associated emissions from production, distribution and use of transport fuels within the state. Therefore, California LCFS considers the fuel's full life cycle
, also known as the "well to wheels" or "seed to wheels" efficiency of transport fuels. The standard is also aimed to reduce the state’s dependence on petroleum, create a market for clean transportation technology, and stimulate the production and use of alternative, low-carbon fuels in California.
On April 23, 2009, CARB approved the specific rules for the LCFS that will go into effect in January 2011. The rule proposal prepared by its technical staff was approved by a 9-1 vote, to set the 2020 maximum carbon intensity reference value to 86 gram
s of carbon dioxide
released per megajoule of energy produced.
was launched with fundings from the California Air Resources Board.
Some of the California Air Resources Board's regulations are controversial. Those opposed to the regulations suggest they create hardships for California farmers, poorer residents, and businesses.
Hien Tran, a research scientist at CARB, lied about obtaining a PhD from UC Davis. Tran holds a PhD from a distance learning program. This information came to light shortly before CARB implemented regulations related to diesel emissions in late 2009. Some of the information CARB used to develop the regulations originated in Tran's research. However, many scientific and public health organizations still acknowledge the need to regulate diesel emissions. Don Anair of the Union of Concerned Scientists states that "There's not an issue of whether [diesel emissions are] harming people."
Other controversial measures include the requirement of light reflecting paint which some, including radio personality Rush Limbaugh
, claim would have banned dark colored cars. Board officials have responded that such claims are "completely fallacious" and "unfounded rumor.". Snopes declared the claim that CARB was banning black cars to be false. Reflective paint was considered as one possible solution to heating within cars though CARB chose not to mandate it until it could be made in a cost-effective way.
Some claim that CARB has also planned to require metallic reflective window glazing on all cars that could affect the functionality of GPS units, cell phones, garage door openers, satellite radios etc. in 2009. CARB in turn clarified that automakers will be allowed to choose from a variety of technologies to reduce heat in their cars, reflective glass being only one of many options. CARB also claims that cell phones were not affected by the reflective glass, no matter how much was used. GPS devices, GPS ankle bracelets, and electronic toll tags also functioned properly when placed within the windshield's "deletion window."
Researchers at CARB miscalculated pollution levels in a scientific analysis used to toughen the state's clean-air standards. The pollution estimate in question was too high - by 340 percent, according to the California Air Resources Board. The estimate was a key part in the creation of a regulation adopted by the Air Resources Board in 2007. The Board attributes the overestimate to the fact that the calculations were performed before the current economic slump. Other researchers criticize the methodology used.
News
Government of California
The government of California operates in the context of a democratic republic with three branches of government: the executive branch consisting of the Governor of California and the other elected constitutional officers; the legislative branch consisting of the California State Legislature which...
. Established in 1967 in the Mulford-Carrell Act, combining the Bureau of Air Sanitation and the Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Board, CARB is a department within the cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
-level California Environmental Protection Agency
California Environmental Protection Agency
The California Environmental Protection Agency is a state cabinet-level agency within the government of California. Cal/EPA is composed of six departments, boards and offices responsible for environmental research, regulating and administering the state's environmental protection programs, and...
. California is the only state that is permitted to have such a regulatory agency, since it is the only state that had one before the passage of the federal Clean Air Act. Other states are permitted to follow CARB standards, or use the federal ones, but not set their own.
The stated goals of CARB include attaining and maintaining healthy air quality; protecting the public from exposure to toxic air contaminants; and providing innovative approaches for complying with air pollution rules and regulations.
The governing board is made up of eleven members appointed by the state's governor
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
. Half of the appointees are experts in professional and science fields such as medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, meteorology
Meteorology
Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
, engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, business, and law. Others represent the pollution control agencies of regional districts within California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
region, San Francisco Bay area, San Diego, the San Joaquin Valley
San Joaquin Valley
The San Joaquin Valley is the area of the Central Valley of California that lies south of the Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta in Stockton...
, and other districts.
CARB's organizational structure
CARB has nine major divisions:- Administrative Services Division
- Enforcement Division
- Mobile SourceAir pollution dispersion terminologyAir pollution dispersion terminology includes the words and technical terms that have a special meaning to those who work in the field of air pollution dispersion modeling...
Control Division - Mobile Source Operations Division
- Monitoring and Laboratory Division
- Office of Information Services
- Planning and Technical Support Division
- Research Division
- Stationary SourceAir pollution dispersion terminologyAir pollution dispersion terminology includes the words and technical terms that have a special meaning to those who work in the field of air pollution dispersion modeling...
Division
Planning and Technical Support Division
The Planning and Technical Support Division assesses the extent of California's air quality problems and the progress being made to abate them, coordinates statewide development of clean air plans and maintains databases pertinent to air quality and emissions. The Division's technical support work provides a basis for clean air plans and CARB's regulatory programs. This support includes management and interpretation of emission inventories, air quality data, meteorological data and of air quality modeling.The Planning and Technical Support Division has five branches:
- Emission InventoryEmission inventoryAn emission inventory is an accounting of the amount of pollutants discharged into the atmosphere. An emission inventory usually contains the total emissions for one or more specific greenhouse gases or air pollutants, originating from all source categories in a certain geographical area and within...
Branch - ModelingAtmospheric dispersion modelingAtmospheric dispersion modeling is the mathematical simulation of how air pollutants disperse in the ambient atmosphere. It is performed with computer programs that solve the mathematical equations and algorithms which simulate the pollutant dispersion...
& MeteorologyMeteorologyMeteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
Branch - Air Quality Data Branch
- Air Quality & Transportation PlanningTransportation planningTransportation planning is a field involved with the evaluation, assessment, design and siting of transportation facilities .-Models and Sustainability :...
Branch - Mobile SourceAir pollution dispersion terminologyAir pollution dispersion terminology includes the words and technical terms that have a special meaning to those who work in the field of air pollution dispersion modeling...
Analysis Branch
Atmospheric Modeling & Support Section
The Atmospheric Modeling & Support Section is one of three sections within the Modeling & Meteorology Branch. The other two sections are the Regional Air Quality Modeling Section and the Meteorology Section.The air quality and atmospheric pollution dispersion models
Atmospheric dispersion modeling
Atmospheric dispersion modeling is the mathematical simulation of how air pollutants disperse in the ambient atmosphere. It is performed with computer programs that solve the mathematical equations and algorithms which simulate the pollutant dispersion...
routinely used by this Section include a number of the models recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
(EPA). The Section also uses models which were either developed by CARB or whose development was funded by CARB, such as:
- CALPUFFCALPUFFCALPUFF is an advanced, integrated Gaussian puff modeling system for the simulation of atmospheric pollution dispersion distributed by the Atmospheric Studies Group at TRC Solutions...
Originally developed by the Sigma Research Company (SRC) under contract to CARB. Currently maintained by the TRC Solution Company under contract to the U.S. EPA. - CALGRID Developed by CARB and currently maintained by CARB.
- SARMAP Developed by CARB and currently maintained by CARB.
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Incentive Program
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Incentive Program (also known as Fueling Alternatives) is funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), offered throughout the State of California and administered by the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE).California zero-emissions vehicle
The CARB ZEV program was enacted by the Californian government to promote the use of zero emission vehicles. The program goal is to reduce the pervasive air pollution affecting the main metropolitan areas in the state, particularly in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, where prolonged pollution episodes are frequent. The first ruling was the 1990 Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV I) Program.
The first definition has its origin in the California ZEV rule, adopted as part of the 1990 Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV I) Program mandated by CARB. The ZEV regulation has evolved and been modified several times since 1990, and several new partial or low-emission categories were created and defined as follows:
- LEV (Low Emission Vehicle)Low emission vehicleA low-emission vehicle is a motor vehicle that emits relatively low levels of motor vehicle emissions. The term may be used in a general sense, but in some countries it is defined in air quality statues....
: The least stringent emission standard for all new cars sold in California beyond 2004. - ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle)Ultra Low Emission VehicleAn ultra-low-emission vehicle is a motor vehicle that emits extremely low levels of motor vehicle emissions compared to other vehicles...
: 50% cleaner than the average new 2003 model year vehicle. - SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle)Super Ultra Low Emission VehicleSuper Ultra Low Emission Vehicle is a U.S. classification for conventionally powered, natural gas powered, or gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle designed to produce minimal emissions of certain categories of air pollution at their exhaust, typically 90% less than that of an equivalent ordinary full...
: These vehicles emit substantially lower levels of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter than conventional vehicles. They are 90% cleaner than the average new 2003 model year vehicle. - PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle)Partial zero-emissions vehicleA Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle is a vehicle that has zero evaporative emissions from its fuel system, has a 15-year warranty on its emission-control components, and meets SULEV tailpipe-emission standards....
: Meets SULEV tailpipe standards, has a 15-year / 150,000 mile warranty, and zero evaporative emissions. These vehicles are 80% cleaner than the average 2002 model year car. - AT PZEV (Advanced Technology PZEV): These are advanced technology vehicles that meet PZEV standards and include ZEV enabling technology. They are 80% cleaner than the average 2002 model year car.
- ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle): Zero tailpipe emissions, and 98% cleaner than the average new 2003 model year vehicle.
The Low-Emission Vehicle Program is currently under revision to define modified ZEV regulations for 2015 models.
Low-carbon fuel standard
The Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) requires oil refineriesOil refinery
An oil refinery or petroleum refinery is an industrial process plant where crude oil is processed and refined into more useful petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt base, heating oil, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas...
and distributors to ensure that the mix of fuel they sell in the Californian market meets the established declining targets for greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
emissions measured in CO2-equivalent gram
Gram
The gram is a metric system unit of mass....
s per unit of fuel energy sold for transport purposes. The 2007 Governor's LCFS directive calls for a reduction of at least 10% in the carbon intensity of California's transportation fuels by 2020. These reductions include not only tailpipe emissions but also all other associated emissions from production, distribution and use of transport fuels within the state. Therefore, California LCFS considers the fuel's full life cycle
Life cycle assessment
A life-cycle assessment is a technique to assess environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product's life from-cradle-to-grave A life-cycle assessment (LCA, also known as life-cycle analysis, ecobalance, and cradle-to-grave analysis) is a technique to assess environmental impacts...
, also known as the "well to wheels" or "seed to wheels" efficiency of transport fuels. The standard is also aimed to reduce the state’s dependence on petroleum, create a market for clean transportation technology, and stimulate the production and use of alternative, low-carbon fuels in California.
On April 23, 2009, CARB approved the specific rules for the LCFS that will go into effect in January 2011. The rule proposal prepared by its technical staff was approved by a 9-1 vote, to set the 2020 maximum carbon intensity reference value to 86 gram
Gram
The gram is a metric system unit of mass....
s of carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
released per megajoule of energy produced.
PHEV Research Center
The PHEV Research CenterPHEV Research Center
The PHEV Research Center in the University of California, Davis, United States, provides technology and policy guidance to the state, and to help solve research questions and address commercialization issues for PHEVs.It was launched in 2007 with fundings from the California Air Resources Board ...
was launched with fundings from the California Air Resources Board.
Controversy
Some of the California Air Resources Board's regulations are controversial. Those opposed to the regulations suggest they create hardships for California farmers, poorer residents, and businesses.
Hien Tran, a research scientist at CARB, lied about obtaining a PhD from UC Davis. Tran holds a PhD from a distance learning program. This information came to light shortly before CARB implemented regulations related to diesel emissions in late 2009. Some of the information CARB used to develop the regulations originated in Tran's research. However, many scientific and public health organizations still acknowledge the need to regulate diesel emissions. Don Anair of the Union of Concerned Scientists states that "There's not an issue of whether [diesel emissions are] harming people."
Other controversial measures include the requirement of light reflecting paint which some, including radio personality Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in American conservatism. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United...
, claim would have banned dark colored cars. Board officials have responded that such claims are "completely fallacious" and "unfounded rumor.". Snopes declared the claim that CARB was banning black cars to be false. Reflective paint was considered as one possible solution to heating within cars though CARB chose not to mandate it until it could be made in a cost-effective way.
Some claim that CARB has also planned to require metallic reflective window glazing on all cars that could affect the functionality of GPS units, cell phones, garage door openers, satellite radios etc. in 2009. CARB in turn clarified that automakers will be allowed to choose from a variety of technologies to reduce heat in their cars, reflective glass being only one of many options. CARB also claims that cell phones were not affected by the reflective glass, no matter how much was used. GPS devices, GPS ankle bracelets, and electronic toll tags also functioned properly when placed within the windshield's "deletion window."
Researchers at CARB miscalculated pollution levels in a scientific analysis used to toughen the state's clean-air standards. The pollution estimate in question was too high - by 340 percent, according to the California Air Resources Board. The estimate was a key part in the creation of a regulation adopted by the Air Resources Board in 2007. The Board attributes the overestimate to the fact that the calculations were performed before the current economic slump. Other researchers criticize the methodology used.
See also
- Bioenergy Action PlanBioenergy Action PlanOn April 25, 2006, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued Executive Order S-06-06, establishing targets for the use and production of biofuels and biopower and directing state agencies to work together to advance biomass programs in California while providing environmental protection and...
- California Center for Sustainable Energy
- California Code of RegulationsCalifornia Code of RegulationsCalifornia Code of Regulations contains the text of the regulations that have been formally adopted by state agencies. They are reviewed, approved, and made available to the public by the California Office of Administrative Law , and are also filed with the Secretary of State.The CCR consists of...
- California Energy CommissionCalifornia Energy CommissionThe California Energy Commission is California’s primary energy policy and planning agency. Created in 1974 and headquartered in Sacramento, the Commission has responsibility for activities that include forecasting future energy needs, promoting energy efficiency through appliance and building...
- California Environmental Protection AgencyCalifornia Environmental Protection AgencyThe California Environmental Protection Agency is a state cabinet-level agency within the government of California. Cal/EPA is composed of six departments, boards and offices responsible for environmental research, regulating and administering the state's environmental protection programs, and...
- California Public Utilities CommissionCalifornia Public Utilities CommissionThe California Public Utilities Commission is a regulatory agency which regulates privately owned public utilities in the state of California, including electric power, telecommunications, natural gas and water companies...
- Carl Moyer Program
- Climate change in CaliforniaClimate change in CaliforniaCalifornia has taken legislative steps towards reducing the possible effects climate change by incentives and plans for clean cars, renewable energy and stringent caps on big polluting industries.- Scoping Plan :...
- Ecology of CaliforniaEcology of CaliforniaThe ecology of California is diverse: it is considered to span six biogeographic provinces or ecoregions: "Coastal Chaparral Forest and Shrub", "Dry Steppe", "Coastal Steppe, Mixed Forest, and Redwood Forest", "Sierran Steppe/Mixed Forest/Coniferous Forest", "Coastal Range Open Woodland/Shrub/...
- Emission standards
- Emissions tradingEmissions tradingEmissions trading is a market-based approach used to control pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants....
- Grams per kilometre (g/km).
- Greenhouse gasGreenhouse gasA greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
- Greenhouse gas emissions by the United StatesGreenhouse gas emissions by the United StatesUntil 2006, the United States was the largest emitter of carbon dioxide emissions. China has been the top emitter since 2006. However both the emissions as a result of manufacturing exports and the emissions avoided by product imports are not considered...
- List of California Air Districts
- Million Solar Roofs (SB 1)
- Plug-in hybrids in CaliforniaPlug-in hybrids in CaliforniaCalifornia is a main territory in the world promoting plug-in hybrids.- CalCars :CalCars is a charitable, non-profit organization founded in 2002 to promote plug-in hybrid electric vehicles as a key to addressing global warming both nationally and internationally...
- Pollution in CaliforniaPollution in CaliforniaPollution in California is the amount of harmful substances in California. Studies show that pollution links to cancer and birth complications. In 2008 Bakersfield, California had the worst level of pollution in the nation. - Causes :...
- Regional Greenhouse Gas InitiativeRegional Greenhouse Gas InitiativeRegional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a regional initiative by states and provinces in the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada regions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions...
- South Coast Air Quality Management DistrictSouth Coast Air Quality Management DistrictThe South Coast Air Quality Management District , formed in 1976, is the air pollution agency responsible mainly for regulating stationary sources of air pollution for most of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside County, and all of Orange County...
- Timeline of major US environmental and occupational health regulationTimeline of major US environmental and occupational health regulation* 1947 – Los Angeles Air Pollution Control District created; first air pollution agency in the US.* 1948 – Federal Water Pollution Control Act* 1955 – National Air Pollution Control Act...
- Texas Low Emission Diesel standards
- Upstream emission factorEmission factorAn emission intensity is the average emission rate of a given pollutant from a given source relative to the intensity of a specific activity; for example grams of carbon dioxide released per megajoule of energy produced, or the ratio of greenhouse gas emissions produced to GDP...
- US Emission standardUS emission standardIn the United States, emissions standards are managed on a national level by the Environmental Protection Agency . State and local governments play a subsidiary role.- Motor vehicles :...
- Vehicle acronyms and abbreviationsVehicle acronyms and abbreviations*A4: 4-speed automatic transmission*A5: 5-speed automatic transmission*A6: 6-speed automatic transmission*ABS: Anti-Lock Braking System*A/C: Air conditioning*AdvHEV: Advanced hybrid*AMT: Automated manual transmission*ATLS: Automated truck loading systems...
- Ventura County Air Pollution Control DistrictVentura County Air Pollution Control DistrictThe Ventura County Air Pollution Control District , formed in 1968, is the air pollution agency responsible mainly for regulating stationary sources of air pollution for Ventura County...
- Who Killed the Electric Car?Who Killed the Electric Car?Who Killed the Electric Car? is a 2006 documentary film that explores the creation, limited commercialization, and subsequent destruction of the battery electric vehicle in the United States, specifically the General Motors EV1 of the mid 1990s...
- Zero-emissions vehicleZero-emissions vehicleA zero-emissions vehicle, or ZEV, is a vehicle that emits no tailpipe pollutants from the onboard source of power. Harmful pollutants to the health and the environment include particulates , hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, ozone, lead, and various oxides of nitrogen. Although not considered emission...
- 2008 California Statewide Truck and Bus Rule2008 California Statewide Truck and Bus RuleThe California Statewide Truck and Bus Rule was initially adopted in December 2008 by the California Air Resources Board and requires all heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses that operate in California to retrofit or replace engines in order to reduce diesel emissions...
External links
- Official website
- CARB's Low-Emission Vehicle Regulations and Test Procedures
- CARB web site page on Climate Change
- CARB's Diesel Emission Control Strategies Verification
News
- California charts course to fight global warming: California's greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent over the next 12 years.
- California air board announces plan for carbon-credit trading.