Sierra Research | 1995 CVS News Headlines

Governor Appoints John Dunlap to Replace Jackee Schafer as CARB Chair (page 2)
CARB Adopts Changes to OBD II Regulations - Confused Debate Causes Board Direction Regarding Changes to Staff's Proposal to Remain Unclear (page 2)rection Regarding Changes to Staff's Proposal to Remain Unclear (page 2)
I/M Review Committee Discusses Pilot Program Data Analysis, EPA Policy on Discounting Effectiveness of After-Repair Testing in Private Garages (page 16)
CARB Adopts Changes to M100 Fuel Specifications Requiring that All M100 Vehicles Be Equipped with Fire Suppression Systems - Board Also Directs Staff to Review the Need for M100 Flame Luminosity Requirements (page 21)
CARB Delays Implementation of Periodic Smoke Program for Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles - However, Board Directs Staff to Develop Its Own Test Procedure if Additional Delays Occur in the Development of the SAE Recommended Procedure (J1667) for Smoke Testing (page 24)
CARB Holds Workshop to Discuss the Development of Guidelines for Economic Analyses of Alternative Regulatory Proposals Put Forth by Interested Parties (page 29)
CARB Will Not Require "Clean Fuel" Outlets in Southern California in 1996 (page 34)
Early 1995 Legislation Addresses I/M Repair Cost Limits and Economic Analyses of CARB Regulations (page 35)
Rulemaking Calendar (page 37)

February 1995 – [Top Page]

Governor Appoints Two New Board Members - Neither Appears to Have Significant Experience with Air Quality Issues (page 2)
CARB Issues 15-Day Notice Regarding Revisions to OBD II Regulations - Staff Makes Only Minimal Changes in Response to Board Direction and Clearly Incorporates Reactivity-Based NMOG Standards (page 3)
CARB to Hold Workshop Regarding Impact of OBD II Regulations on Aftermarket Industry - Staff Appears to be Under Considerable Pressure to Resolve Aftermarket Industry Concerns (page 5)
I/M Review Committee Gets Broad-Brush Report on Data Analysis, Hears Discussion of Loaded-Mode Repair Shop Issues, Gets Input from Mechanics on Smog Check Program and Loaded Mode Testing (page 11)
CARB Holds Informal Meeting with Industry to Discuss Easing Certification Requirements for Alternative Fuel Retrofit Systems - Objections to Current Regs Voiced by Natural Gas Proponents (page 16)
CARB Announces Another Workshop on Long-Delayed Certification Test Procedures for Stage II Vapor Recovery Systems (page 21)
CARB Issues Mail-Out Regarding Manufacturer Reporting Requirements Relative to CARB's Fleet Average NMOG Standards (page 21)
CARB to Hold Workshop Regarding CNG Fuel Specifications (page 22)
CARB Finalizes Guidelines for Reimbursing Diesel Owners for Damage Resulting from Low-Aromatic, Low-Sulfur Diesel Fuel (page 22)
Annual Air Quality Trends Update - Most Vehicle-Related Peak Pollution Levels Continue Gradual Downward Trends (page 23)
Legislation Update (page 38)
Rulemaking Calendar (page 39)

March 1995 – [Top Page]

Board Hears Status Report on Refiners' Progress In Complying With Phase 2 RFG Regulations - Refiners Are On Schedule To Meet March 1996 Compliance Date, Phase 2 RFG Advisory Committee Reports On Testing and Public Education (page 3)
Board Hears Reports on SIP Status, Local Smoking Vehicle Programs, and Uses of the Motor Vehicle Registration Fees Levied By APCDs (page 6)
Loss of Business for Automotive Aftermarket Parts Industry Projected at OBD II Workshop - CARB Staff Says Automakers May Be Required to Provide Spare Parts for 20 Years (page 9)
I/M Review Committee Hears Presentation from EPA on I/M Performance Standard and Emission Reduction Discount for Decentralized Programs (page 14)
EPA Promulgates California FIP with Final Federal Rules for Several Mobile Source Control Measures Contained in CARB SIP - Impact on Proposed CARB Regulations Unclear (page 20)
CARB Holds Another Workshop On Its Proposed Changes to the Stage II Certification Test Procedures - Agency Drops Requirement for Fugitive Emissions Testing But Does Not Address the Significant Differences That Exist Between the Proposed Test Procedures for Stage II and On-Board Refueling Vapor Recovery Systems (page 26)
CARB Holds Informal Meetings Regarding Establishment of Off-Cycle ("Bag 4") Standards for LEV Program Vehicles and Harmonization of CARB and EPA Evaporative Test Procedures (page 30)
Fuel Suppliers Report Problems with Meeting Commercial Fuel Specifications for CNG at CARB Workshop - CARB Staff Says It Won't Take Enforcement Action (page 31)
CARB Holds Meeting to Discuss Effects of Oxygenated Gasoline on NOx Emissions in Response to Ethanol Industry Push to Raise California Fuel Oxygen Cap - SAI Analysis Supporting Ethanol Industry Is Criticized (page 36)
CARB Holds Workshop on Draft Emissions Formula for Calculating Employer-Based Trip Reductions (page 38)
CARB Announces Workshop Regarding the Generation of Mobile Source Emission Reduction Credits from the Replacement of Existing Off-Road Diesel Engines with Low-Emission Engines (page 43)
CARB Announces Plans to Perform In-Use Emissions Testing On Motorcycles (page 44)
New Legislation Addresses Electric and Alternative-Fuel Vehicles - New Funding and Incentives Proposed As Well As Bills to Restrict Such Funding and Repeal CARB's ZEV Mandate (page 44)
CARB Publishes 1995 Rulemaking Calendar - Schedule Includes Heavy-Duty Engine Standards and Regulations on Aftermarket Parts for LEVs with OBD II (page 55)

April 1995 – [Top Page]

I/M Review Committee Holds Monthly Meeting - Continues Marching Toward Affirmation of Misconceptions Held by Committee Members and Staff (page 3)
Sierra Analysis of I/M Pilot Program Data Shows that Remote Sensing is Ineffective in Identifying Vehicles with High Emissions (page 10)
I/M Review Committee Holds Monthly Meeting on March 31 - Hears Report on Congressional Hearing; Consultants Defend Critique of 50% Discount and Report on Data Analysis (page 16)
I/M Review Committee To Host Workshop on Designing and Evaluating I/M Programs; Panelists Include Few With Real Knowledge of the Subject (page 21)
CARB-Sponsored Phase 2 Reformulated Gasoline Advisory Subcommittees Meet - MTBE Controversy Identified as a Potential Threat to Smooth Implementation of Phase 2 Regulations (page 22)
CARB Holds Workshop on Credits for Low-Emission, Off-Road Diesel Engines (page 31)
CARB to Hold Workshops Regarding 1999 Emission Standards for Utility and Lawn and Garden Engines - Information Obtained by Staff Will Be Used to Prepare a Status Report to the Board (page 35)
CARB Issues "Fact Sheet" Regarding Illegal Alternative Fuel Conversions - CARB Warns Fleet Operators Not to Accept or to Perform Uncertified Conversions (page 35)
Legislation Update - Two Bills Related to CARB's ZEV Mandate (AB 260 and AB 339) Already Put On Hold (page 36)
Rulemaking Calendar Update - Many Changes from Published Draft (page 45)

May 1995 – [Top Page]

Frenzy of I/M Related Activity Continues:
I/M Review Committee March 31 Meeting - Full Report (page 2)
I/M Review Committee Hears Contractor's Report on Analysis of Data from El Monte and Sacramento Pilot Projects; Discusses Recommendations on I/M Program Design (page 9)
I/M Review Committee Holds Workshop to Address I/M Issues - Different Forum, Same Messages (page 17)
I/M Review Committee Considers Recommendations For California I/M Program; Meeting Reconvenes In Long Beach On May 3 (page 23)
CARB Announces Workshop Series Regarding the LEV Program Regulations and ZEV Mandate - Review of Key Issues Promised (page 34)
CARB Will Hold Workshop Regarding Changes to the LEV Program Regulations - Staff Proposes to Provide Limited ZEV Credits for HEVs (page 36)
Federal Legislation Rescinding FIP is Signed by President (page 38)
CARB Holds Workshop on Fuel Properties Test Methods - Proposed Revisions are Non-Controversial (page 39)
CARB MAC 95-04 Appears To Go Beyond Legislative Intent Regarding Emissions-Related Service Information Provided By OEMs To Independent Service Industry (page 42)
CARB Issues MAC "Streamlining" Certification Procedures for Alternative Fuel Retrofit Kits - Agency Gives in to Pressure from the Alternative Fuel Industry (page 44)
CARB and OEHHA Continue to Work to Identify Diesel Exhaust as a Toxic Air Contaminant - Revised Draft Report and Workshop Expected to be Released in the Fall (page 48)
CARB Board Hears Status Report on Innovative Clean Air Technology (ICAT) Program - (page 48)
Legislation Update - Several Bills Are Amended and Pass Their Policy Committees, But AB 712 Requiring Study of CARB's ZEV Mandate is Held Over (page 51)
Rulemaking Calendar Update - June Board Hearing Moved to June 29; July Hearing Will Be Held July 27; LEV/ZEV Workshops Added To Calendar (page 63)

June 1995 – [Top Page]

I/M Review Committee Finalizes Recommendations For California I/M Program; Calls For RG240 Testing in Enhanced Areas (page 3)
CARB Hears Status Report on the State Implementation Plan and Federal Implementation Plan (page 11)
CARB Holds Workshop to Discuss Possibility of Providing ZEV Credits to HEVs - Workshop Turns into Forum on ZEV Mandate (page 14)
CARB Holds Workshop on Changes To Non-ZEV Portions of LEV Program Regulations - Staff Proposal Includes Major Changes to Medium-Duty Standards and RAFs for CNG and LPG (page 25)
CARB Announces Public Forum to Discuss "Consumer Marketability" of ZEVs - Meeting to Exclude Discussion of Readiness of EVs to Meet Consumer Demands and the Impact of EV Cost on Marketability (page 37)
CARB Proposes, with Minor Modifications, Adoption of EPA On-Board Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR) Standards for 1998 and Subsequent Model Year Light- and Medium-Duty Vehicles (page 38)
CARB Staff Proposes Modifications to Certification and Test Procedures for Stage II Vapor Recovery Systems - Final Proposal Reflects Only Minor Changes to Version Presented at February Workshop (page 42)
CARB Proposes Changes to Exhaust Emission Standards for Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles - Action Will Align CARB and Federal NOx Standards and Provide Opportunity to Generate Mobile Source Credits (page 43)
CARB Hosts Phase 2 Reformulated Gasoline Advisory Subcommittee Meetings - Possibility that Materials Compatibility Problems May Exist for Older Vehicles is Discussed (page 47)
CARB Proposes a Change to the Test Method for Determining the Oxygenate Content of Gasoline (page 56)
CARB Receives First Application for a Variance from the Phase 2 RFG Regulations - Pacific Refining Company Cites Delays in Obtaining Permits Due to Opposition from Local Residents as a Key Factor (page 58)
CARB Holds Workshop and Releases Staff Report on Computing Emission Reductions for Employer-Based Trip Reductions (page 59)
CARB Issues Cost Limit for High-Priced Warranted Parts (page 62)
CARB Issues Production Information for Determining Cert Fees (page 63)
CARB Approves Alternate Emission Standard for All-Terrain Vehicles (page 63)
Legislation Update - Four Bills Proposing Tax Incentives
for LEVs/ZEVs Are Set for Hearing in Fiscal Committees (page 64)
Rulemaking Calendar Update - June 28 LEV/ZEV Workshop To Discuss Electric Vehicle Marketing; June Board Hearing Agenda Includes Four Vehicle-Related Items (page 76)

July 1995 – [Top Page]

BAR Presents Final Draft Design of New I/M Program; Calls for Two-Mode ASM Testing in All Facilities (Test-Only and Test-and-Repair) in Enhanced I/M Areas (page 3)
I/M Review Committee Discusses "Guiding Principles" for California I/M Program, Including Role of Remote Sensing; Is Cautioned Not To Base Policy Recommendations on Sacramento Remote Sensing Study (page 6)
CARB Holds Workshop on EV Marketability - Manufacturers and Dealers Tell CARB that EV Sales Volumes Will Be Far Lower Than 2% for 1998, While EV Proponents Claim Large Market Exists for EVs (page 13)
CARB Announces Third EV "Workshop" - Focus Is Supposed To Be On Infrastructure Development But Recent Carnegie-Mellon Study Regarding Lead Emissions Will Also Be Discussed (page 31)
CARB Adopts ORVR Regulations - Staff and Board Agree To Address Issues of Concern to Automakers (page 31)
CARB Adopts Revisions to Certification and Test Procedures for Stage II Vapor Recovery Systems (page 35)
CARB Aligns State's Heavy-Duty Diesel NOx Standards With EPA's at 4.0 g/bhp-hr; Adopts Optional HDD NOx Standards for Mobile Source Credit Programs (page 37)
CARB Adopts New Test Method for Determining Gasoline Oxygenate Content in Response to Request from Petroleum Industry (page 41)
CARB Adopts Formula for Computing Emission Reductions from Employer-Based Trip Reduction Rules - Formula Sets Emission Targets for Alternative Programs (page 42)
CARB Issues "Guidelines" for Compliance with OBD II Requirements - Staff Dictates Minutia of OBD II System Design (page 44)
Phase 2 Reformulated Gasoline Advisory Committee Meets - No Significant Issues Raised (page 52)
Phase 2 RFG Variance Hearing for Pacific Refining Company Is Canceled at the Company's Request (page 59)
CARB Staff Proposes Retrofit Emission Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles That Would Allow the Generation of Emission Credits and Changes to the Certification Requirements for Alternative-Fuel Conversion Kits (page 59)
CARB Approves Staff Report on Use Of Motor Vehicle Registration Fees; APCOs Caution Against Rigid Guidelines and Excessive Reporting Requirements (page 62)
CARB Approves 1995 Air Pollution Research Plans - Agency to Spend $500,000 on EV Battery and Infrastructure Projects During Fiscal Year 1995-1996 (page 67)
CARB Approves Four Innovative Clean Air Technologies Research Proposals, Two Related to Mobile Sources (page 68)
CARB Holds More Workshops Regarding 1999 Emission Standards for Utility and Lawn and Garden Engines - Staff Seeks Additional Information for Status Report (page 70)
Little Legislative Activity in June - Bills Proposing Tax Incentives for Low-Emission Vehicles and EVs Now on Hold (page 71)
Rulemaking Calendar Update - July 12 LEV/ZEV Workshop To Discuss Electric Vehicle Infrastructure; July Board Hearing Will Address Items Related to Certification of Alternative Fuel and Heavy-Duty Retrofits (page 79)

August 1995 – [Top Page]

CARB Holds Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Lead-Acid Battery Usage and EV Infrastructure Issues - Heated Debate Regarding ZEV Mandate Continues (page 2)
CARB Announces Second Workshop Regarding Changes to the LEV Program Regulations That Would Provide ZEV Credits for HEVs and Establish Equivalent ZEV ("EZEV") Emission Standards - Staff's Proposal, However, Appears To Be Unworkable (page 20)
CARB Adopts Regulatory Amendments To Ease Burdens on Alternative Fuel Retrofitters (page 27)
CARB Hears Updated Status Report on Air Toxics Control Program (page 34)
CARB Holds Workshop on Proposed Guidelines for Obtaining Variances from the Agency's Phase 2 Gasoline Regulations - Suggested Noncompliance Penalty Set at 15› per Gallon (page 35)
Phase 2 RFG Performance and Education Subcommittees Meet - Potential for Fuel-Related Component Failures on Older Vehicles Continues To Be an Issue (page 41)
CARB Holds Workshop on Gasoline Test Methods To Be Used To Determine Compliance with Phase 2 RFG Regulations (page 50)
CARB Holds Workshop to Discuss Proposed Changes to Gasoline Deposit Control Additive Regulations - Changes Proposed to Recordkeeping Requirements Appear to be the Most Onerous (page 53)
CARB Issues Request for Alternative Fuel Vehicle Production Data and Projections to Determine Whether Fuel Providers Must Establish Alternative Fuel Outlets for 1997 - Agency is Already Behind Schedule for Issuing a Preliminary Estimate (page 55)
Latest Smog Check Data Analysis Shows Little Change Over Past Year (page 56)
Lack of State Budget Keeps Legislature in Session Throughout July - AB 63, Delaying $450 I/M Repair Cost Ceiling, Goes to Senate Floor (page 64)
Rulemaking Calendar Update - August 9 LEV/ZEV Workshop Will Discuss Hybrid Electric Vehicle Issues (page 72)

September 1995 – [Top Page]

Confirmation of CARB Chairman John Dunlap Appears Assured After "On Again, Off Again" Scheduling in the State Senate (page 2)
CARB Names Members of Panel To Evaluate the State of EV Battery Technology - Preliminary Results To Be Presented at October 11 EV Workshop in El Monte (page 2)
CARB Holds Workshop on Proposal To Allow ZEV Credits for HEVs and To Establish Equivalent Zero Emission Standards (EZEVs) - Little Support Is Shown for Staff's Proposal (page 4)
CARB Staff Issues Proposed Changes to Non-ZEV Provisions of the LEV Program Regulations, Including Revisions to the MDV LEV Program Requirements - Staff's Proposal Differs Little from Earlier Versions Except That the Number of Proposed RAFs Has Been Expanded As Has the Availability of Interim In-Use Compliance Standards for MDVs (page 15)
Next CARB ZEV Workshop Is Announced - Will Address Issues Regarding Viability of EVs in Vehicle Fleets (page 26)
Phase 2 RFG Advisory Transition Subcommittee Meets To Further Discuss Supply/Demand Issues - No New Information Is Presented (page 26)
I/M Review Committee Meets in El Monte, Gets Enhanced I/M Status Report, Hears Report on High-Emitter Driver Characteristics (page 30)
BAR To Hold Hearing To Consider Final Adoption of Enhanced I/M Regulations (page 38)
BAR Staff Unveils Stringent Specifications For ASM Test Equipment; Discusses Them With Vendors (page 39)
Legislation Update - Senate Passes AB 63, Delaying $450 I/M Repair Cost Ceiling and Authorizing an Economic Hardship Extension (page 42)
Rulemaking Calendar Update - September 13 LEV/ZEV Workshop To Discuss Fleet Issues (page 50)

October 1995 – [Top Page]

CARB Chairman John Dunlap Confirmed by State Senate (page 2)
CARB Announces That Next EV Forum, Addressing Battery Technology, Will Be Held October 11 (page 3)
CARB Adopts Changes to Non-ZEV Provisions of the LEV Program - New MDV Requirements and Additional RAFs Are Approved by Board (page 3)
CARB Holds Workshop Regarding the Viability of EVs in Vehicle Fleet Applications - Proceedings Are Little More Than a Rehash of Earlier Workshop on Marketability (page 12)
CARB Holds Consultation Meeting on RFG Issues - Discussions Indicate Proposed Regulation Changes May Go Well Beyond "Housekeeping" (page 23)
Phase 2 RFG Advisory Subcommittees Meet - Reports on Test Programs Provide No New Evidence Suggesting RFG-Related Problems (page 29)
CARB Staff Presents Board with Update on the Implementation of the Phase 2 Gasoline Regulations - Staff Tells Board that All is Well (page 36)
CARB Proposes Revisions to Fuel Property Test Methods for Phase 2 Gasoline and Holds Workshop to Discuss This Proposal as well as Proposed Revisions to the Test Methods for Diesel Fuels (page 39)
CARB to Consider Amendments to the Agency's Gasoline Deposit Control Additive Regulations (page 42)
BAR Hearing on ASM Emissions Standards Surprises But Doesn't Inform (page 44)
CARB to Present Additional Guidelines for Mobile Source Credits Programs to Board for Approval - New Guidelines Deal with NOx Credits for Purchases of New "Reduced-Emission" Heavy-Duty Vehicles (page 47)
CARB Issues MAC Regarding Design of Fuel Tank Vent Tubes (page 48)
CARB Announces Workshop to Discuss Utility and Lawn & Garden Engine Quality-Audit Testing (page 49)
Legislative Update - Legislature Adjourns and Numerous Bills Are Now Awaiting Action by the Governor (page 50)
Rulemaking Calendar Update (page 56)

November 1995 – [Top Page]

CARB Holds Workshop to Discuss Technological Progress in Development of Zero Emission Vehicles - Staff Told Advanced Batteries Will Not Be Ready Until 2000-2001 at the Earliest (page 2)
CARB Board Hears an Update Regarding Status of ZEV-Related Workshops and A Preliminary Report from the Battery Technology Assessment Panel (page 19)
CARB to Hold Final ZEV Workshop Addressing the Costs and Benefits of the ZEV Mandate - Based on Board Member Comments, Changes in 1998 Mandate Are Likely (page 25)
RFG Advisory Committee and Subcommittees Meet, Debate, and Hammer Out Findings (page 25)
CARB Updates Test Methods for Phase 2 RFG Properties (page 35)
CARB Adopts Guidelines for Emission Reduction Credits Through Purchase of New, Reduced-Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicles (page 36)
Trade Association Holds Informational Meetings for Smog Check Industry on Enhanced I/M (page 40)
BAR's Proposed Smog Check Regulations No Longer Define Standards Categories By Emission Control Systems (page 41)
Legislation Update - Governor Signs All Bills (page 44)
Rulemaking Calendar Update - November 8 LEV/ZEV Workshop To Discuss Benefits and Costs of ZEVs (page 48)

December 1995 – [Top Page]

CARB Holds Workshop on the Costs and Benefits of the ZEV Mandate - Ongoing Discussions With Automakers, However, Cause the Workshop To Be a Non-Event (page 2)
CARB Hears Informational Report Regarding the Costs and Benefits of the ZEV Mandate - Board Gives Staff Vague Direction to Make Changes to the Mandate and Return to the Board No Later than March (page 11)
CARB Staff Announces Yet Another Workshop on the ZEV Mandate, To Discuss Form of Possible Modifications to the Mandate - Staff Will Brief the Board on This Workshop at the December Hearing (page 18)
CARB Adopts Changes to Gasoline Additive Requirements (page 19)
CARB to Consider Amendments to Phase 2 Reformulated Gasoline Regulations, Including Variance Regulations Required by SB 709 (page 22)
CARB Presents Revised Credit Guidelines for Off-Road Diesel Engines, Asks for Comments (page 24)
CARB Issues Guidance on Format for Quality-Audit Reporting by Utility and Lawn & Garden Equipment Engine Manufacturers (page 26)
CARB Issues MAC for Carry-Over of Utility and Lawn & Garden Engine Certification (page 27)
Rulemaking Calendar Update (page 28)