Corpus Christi Air Quality Group working meeting – July 23 ...



Corpus Christi Air Quality Group Meeting

November 13, 2018

Present

Gretchen Arnold, Chair

Trent Thigpen, Pollution Prevention Partnership

Youshiko Boulan, Corpus Christi MPO

Sarah Gaeza, POCCA

Neal Kunkel, POCCA

Ramona Josefczyz, POCCA

Danielle Converse, POCCA

Bob Paulison, Port Industries,

Beth Becerra, Exxon Mobile

Beatriz Rivera, POCCA

Cathy Barnard, SAGE ATC

Bob Pineda, Magellan

Crystal Chaloupka, TCEQ

Sonny Lopez, TCEQ

Christine Bryant, CCREDC

A J Hansborough, Trinity Consultants

Alfredo Diaz, FHR

Molly Martin, NuStar

Sony Lopez, TCEQ

Isabel Palacios, Voestalpine

Colleen Johnson, EarthCon

Ardianna Escamilla, POCCA

Scott Dirkson, TCEQ

Jessica Muennink, Cheniere

Cathy Skurow, City of Portland

Joe Walton, TCEQ

Kelsey Hopkinson, TCEQ

(Port of Corpus Christi Authority; POCCA, Metropolitan Planning Organization; MPO, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; TCEQ, Environmental Protection Agency; EPA, Flint Hills Resources; FHR)

Discussion Points

• The year-end 2018 status of ozone attainment and looking ahead to 2019 ozone season attainment was discussed.

o The 4th high eight-hour average ozone reading for 2018 at CAMS 4 is 61 ppb.

o The 4th high eight-hour average ozone reading for 2018 at CAMS 21 is 60 ppb.

o In order for Corpus Christi to remain in attainment of NAAQS for ozone through the 2019 ozone season, the 4th high eight-hour average ozone reading at both CAMS 4 and CAMS 21 must be under 88 ppb.

• An update on efforts to restore funding for local air programs was presented.

o Written testimony was provided to the Senate Committee on Environment and Economic Development on August 18, 2018 requesting equitable TERP funding to be made available to Nueces and San Patricio counties.

o Written comment was provided on October 3, 2018 to TCEQ requesting that Nueces and San Patricio counties be considered eligible for VW settlement funding.

o Representative Abel Herrero was briefed on the local impact of losing Rider funding for air programs on October 26, 2018. Rep. Herrero committed to looking into Rider and other forms of funding to restore funding for local air programs.

o Representative Todd Hunter and Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa were briefed on the local impact of losing Rider funding for air programs on October 29, 2018. Senator Hinojosa and Representative Hunter both committed to looking in to the issue.

o Bob Paulison updated the group on PICC interim funding for TAMUK monitoring. Interim funding provided by PICC is projected to take TAMUK to January/February time frame in 2019. There is discussion in PICC to provide some level of funding in 2019 to TAMUK for some continuation of the monitoring or a modeling project. Gretchen informed the group that the monitors are owned by TCEQ and future plans for the monitors will need to be considered.

o Trent Thigpen with Pollution Prevention Partnership (P3) updated the group on interim funding and the status of P3. He informed the group that a small SEP in the amount of $8,000 was recently received and asked the group that should they find themselves needing to contribute to an SEP, to please consider P3. A grant application has been submitted to EPA to fund a pollution prevention roundtable to continue the presence of P3 in the community.

• Joe Walton, TERP Section Manager with TCEQ provided a presentation on the TERP program. Kelsey Hopkinson with the TERP program also provided information on the program. Mr. Walton explained that the TERP (Texas Emissions Reductions Program) program was established to provide grants to projects that reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from mobile sources and to support programs that encourage the use of alternative fuels for transportation. TERP reduces NOx through projects such as the early retirement of heavy-duty vehicles and pieces of equipment, particularly those with large diesel engines and replacing older engines with newer models with more stringent federal emission standards for NOx and other pollutants. Mr. Walton shared the importance of removing older diesel equipment from operation. He stated that removing one older diesel dump truck from operation was the equivalent of removing 350 cars from the road. Older diesel engines (15 years) emit approximately 8-10 grams per brake horsepower hour of NOx compared to new diesel engines that emit .2 grams of NOx per brake horse power hour. Mr. Walton stated that once TERP opens up the process for applications in a category, applications in excess of available funding are quickly received in the TERP office. Funding for many programs have been exhausted for the 2018/2019 biennium but future calls for applications are anticipated in the new budget cycle.

TERP eligible category projects include:

o Diesel Emissions Reduction Incentive (DERI) Program – closed for funding for 2018/2019

o A competitive grant program that provides incentives to repower or replace older heavy-duty vehicles, non-road equipment, locomotives, marine vessels, and stationary equipment. Eligible replacement vehicles and equipment include diesel engines, alternative fuel vehicles and equipment, hybrid vehicles and equipment, idle reduction infrastructure, and refueling infrastructure.

o Diesel Emissions Reduction Incentive Rebate Grants – applications for funding coming soon

o Limited to replacement or repower of heavy-duty on-road diesel vehicles and select non-road equipment. It is a faster, simpler process for projects consistent with the ERIG requirements awarded on a first-come - first-served selection process. On-road diesel vehicles and equipment may be replaced with diesel, natural gas, propane, or electric-powered vehicles.

o Seaport / Railyard – application for funding coming soon

o Provides incentives for the replacement and repower of older drayage trucks and cargo-handling equipment operating at seaports and Class I railyards in areas of Texas designated as nonattainment on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible applicants must operate eligible seaport terminals and Class I intermodal rail yards located in the state's air quality nonattainment areas. Models of drayage trucks and cargo handling equipment eligible for replacement under this program include heavy-duty on-road vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 26,000 pounds, non-road yard truck, and other cargo handling equipment.

o Texas Clean Fleet Program – application for funding coming soon

o Provides incentives to owners of large fleets in Texas to replace diesel vehicles with alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles. This program allows for replacement of light-duty and heavy-duty diesel vehicles. Applicants must own at least 75 vehicles and operate those vehicles in Texas, and must apply to replace at least 10 vehicles. Replacement vehicles must be hybrid vehicles or vehicles fueled by one of the following alternative fuels: Electricity, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Hydrogen, Propane (LPG), or methanol (85% by volume).

o Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Program – open for funding application

o Provides grants for the replacement and repower of heavy-duty and medium-duty vehicles and engines with heavy-duty and medium-duty CNG, LNG, or LPG vehicles and engines. Applications are submitted directly by applicants. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis. The new engine must be certified to the applicable federal emissions standard.

o Alternative Fuel Facilities Program – closed for funding for 2018/2019

o Provides grants for fueling facilities for alternative fuel in the Clean Transportation Zone (CTZ) (includes Nueces and San Patricio counties) by ensuring that alternative fuel vehicles have access to fuel. Eligible alternative fuels include natural gas (CNG and/or LNG), hydrogen, biodiesel (at least 20% by volume), propane, electricity, and methanol (at least 85% by volume).

o Clean School Bus Program - closed for funding for 2018/2019

o The Texas Clean School Bus Program is a statewide program designed to reduce diesel exhaust emissions, not just NOx from school buses. This program focuses on the reduction of pollutants emitted in diesel exhaust by retrofitting or replacing older school buses. Eligible projects may include replacing pre-2007 diesel school buses, and retrofitting school buses with diesel oxidation catalysts, diesel particulate filters, or other emissions-reducing add-on equipment.

o New Technology Implementation Grants – open for funding application

o Provides grants to offset the cost of the implementation of existing technologies that reduce the emissions from facilities and other stationary sources in Texas. Eligible categories include electricity storage, new technology, advanced clean energy, and upstream and midstream oil and gas emission reductions.

o Light Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease – open for funding application

o Provides rebates statewide for 2000 new light-duty vehicles (less than 10,000 lbs) powered by CNG, LPG, or Electric Drive. A list of qualifying vehicles will be available on the TERP website. Receive up to $5,000 for new CNG or LPG powered vehicles. Receive up to $2,500 for new electric drive powered vehicles. The new vehicle must be registered and operated in Texas for a period of one year.

Mr. Walton stated that for most application evaluations, the cost per ton of emission reductions should not exceed $15,000. The Texas Clean Fleet program is an exception with a cost ceiling of $75,000 per ton for emissions reduced.

TERP funding history was presented. Corpus Christi has received 1% of TERP funds allocated from September of 2001 through August 2017. Mr. Walton stated that TERP requires that trucks and equipment funded by TERP be locally operated and that most truck and equipment potential applicants for TERP funding in the Corpus Christi area operate in other airsheds in addition to Corpus Christi.

Funds available through TERP for FY 2018 / 2019 totaled $128,700,000.00. Mr. Walton shared a website to visit and register to receive notifications of TERP application calls and other TERP updates. This website can be found at . Gretchen urged the group to register to receive notifications TERP funding.

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