United States Air and Radiation EPA # 420-K-97-004
Environmental Protection t December 1997 ,
Agency "*' ^ . f ,
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Office of Mobile Sources
Voluntary
Mobile
Source
Programs:
Crediting Innovation and
Experimentation
TRAO
EPA's Transportation Air Quality Center
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EPA announces Guidance on
Incorporating Voluntary Mobile Source
Emission Reduction Programs in State
Implementation Plans (SIPs).
Overview
This new policy reflects a major change in how EPA has
historically dealt with voluntary measures. It provides
added flexibility for state and local governments inter-
ested in receiving credit in State Implementation Plans
(SIP) for voluntary mobile source emission reduction
programs (YMEPs).
Examples of Potential Voluntary Mobile
Source Emission Reduction Programs
The following examples of voluntary mobile source emission
reduction programs (VMEPs) could be implemented and
credited with emission reductions for SIP related purposes.
These programs can be designed to be implemented on an
episodic, seasonal, or a continual basis.
Airport Strategies
Airport Ground Service Equipment technology improvements
and intra/inter-airport transportation VMT reduction strate-
gies have been proven to reduce emissions. Communities
and airport planners may choose from a number of strategies
to improve airport source emissions.
Clean Fuel Programs
Alternative and cleaner fuel sources are being developed to
power multiple classes of vehicles. Some proven emissions-
reducing examples include biodiesel, alternative fuels, elec-
tric/battery, and compressed natural gas.
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Employer Based Transportation Management Programs
Various programs such as: van pooling, car pooling, subscription
buses, walking, shuttle services, guaranteed rides home, alterna-
tive work schedules, and financial incentives (transit passes and
subsidies).
Heavy Duty Engine Catalyst Retrofits
NOx and particulate emissions can be reduced by adding (introduc-
ing) approved catalyst technology to Heavy Duty Engines. Examples
include intercity bus engines and other fleets such as garbage trucks
that have most recently demonstrated improvements.
Parking Cash Out
Beginning with tax year 1998, employers may offer employees tax-
able cash instead of a tax-exempt parking space without losing the
tax exemption for parking.
Parking Management
Management of parking supply and demand, such as perferential
parking prices for carpools and vanpools, fee structures that discour-
age commuter parking, reduced parking for new developments.
Regional Rideshare Programs
Programs marketing ridesharing services, transit shuttles, com-
puterized carpool matching, vanpool matching, or program imple-
mentation assistance.
Seasonal and Episodic Ozone Action Day Programs
These programs inform the public about a region's air pollution
problems and promote emissions-reducing activities, particularly
alternatives to automobile use, on days with poor air quality.
Small Engine and Recreational Vehicle Programs
Measures targeted at reducing the frequency and duration of small
engine and recreational vehicle use.
Work Schedule Changes
Changes in work schedules to provide flexibility to employees to
commute outside of peak travel periods, such as: telecommuting,
flextime, compressed work weeks, staggered work hours.
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Why has the EPA created this policy?
EPA supports innovative community-based efforts to
improve air quality and public health.
EPA believes that air quality goals will be advanced by
allowing communities to develop solutions which best fit
their needs.
Voluntary programs are already achieving emission reduc-
tions in some areas and should be recognized in air
quality plans to achieve ambient air quality standards.
EPA recognizes the need to further develop techniques
for quantifying the emission reduction benefits of VMEPs.
By simplifying requirements states will be further
encouraged to adopt voluntary programs.
Communities benefit by the shared experience and
expertise of others gained through the implementation of
innovative programs.
;
How long is this policy in effect?
5 years EPA will review the effectiveness of this policy
and modify it accordingly.
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Here is how it works!
The policy allows 3% of the total reductions needed for
attainment in your area to be from voluntary mobile source
emission reduction programs.
SIP submittal requirements are streamlined. Generally, a
state submits a SIP which identifies and describes the
VMEP program and projects emission reductions attribut-
able to the program.
A state may take up-front credit for a VMEP program
based upon realistic emission reduction estimates, provided
a state agrees in the SIP submittal to monitor, evaluate,
and report the emissions effect of the voluntary program.
A state must commit to remedy any emission reduction
shortfall in a timely manner if the VMEP program does not
achieve projected emission reductions.
Mobile source episodic programs can be approved for
SIP credit.
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Specific Information to submit
What do I have to do to get SIP credit
for my total activities?
Generally, states will be responsible for submitting SIP
approvable voluntary programs. So states, communities and
citizens will have to work together.
Example of a Voluntary Program
Program scenario: A state air quality agency is approached
by a business coalition to begin a regional rideshare pro-
gram. The state would like to take credit for the emissions
reductions from this private sector activity in it's 15% plan.
Up-front credit: The state takes credit by predicting the
effect of the program in reducing emissions associated with
an increase in the number of carpools used to commute to
work.
SIP Submittal
General Process
State notifies EPA of it's intent to take credit for volun-
tary regional rideshare program. Includes program
information and technical support documentation and
commitment to remedy any emission reduction shortfall in
a timely manner.
EPA Regional Office reviews, provides comments as need-
ed, and approves up-front credit.
Voluntary activity is implemented by participating busineses.
State verifies that the program achieved the predicted
benefits and generates information for EPA review.
EPA Regional Office reviews the state SIP submission and
determines that the credits have been achieved as
predicted. Also approved under milestone compliance.
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EPA Supports Your Efforts!
EPA is supporting your state and local activities by
providing access to critical voluntary program information,
grant funding sources, tools, and technical assistance to
assess your program's emission benefits.
A sampling of available resource documents
"Survey and Review of National Episodic Control
Programs in the United States" EPA-420-R-97-006
Includes program descriptions, contacts, web links and
outreach materials for 37 metro areas.
"Quantification of Episodic Control Programs" EPA -
420-R-97-006 Discusses the major factors and potential
methodologies in quantifying .emissions reductions.
"Blueprint for Program Design" EPA-420-R-98-003
Takes data from existing programs and outlines program
design options for creating successful episodic programs.
"Opportunities to Improve Air Quality through
Transportation Pricing Programs" EPA 420-R-97-004 This
document explains why pricing can make sense, describes
the institutional relationships necessary for pricing measures
to work, and highlights some pitfalls to avoid in implement-
ing a program.
On-line national program databases
Market Incentives Resource Center
(www. ep a. go v/oms www/market. htm)
Smart Travel Resource Center
(www. epa. go v/oms www/strc .htm)
Office of Mobile Sources Web-site
(www. ep a. go v/oms www)
Episodic Measures Database
(www.epa.gov/omswww/reports/episodic/study.htm)
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Content of a SIP submittal
State submits to EPA its intent to conduct or take credit for
the voluntary regional rideshare program in the SIP. The
state describes how the program or activity will work in
practice. In the submission, the state describes the following
program elements: i
1. Program participants
2. How the program works
3. Activity effects
4. Emission effects
5. State commitment for evaluation, reporting,
remedying emission credit shortfall
6. Technical support .documentation
1. Program Participants
The state identifies the sponsors of the program. In this
example, the participating businesses.
2. How the Program Works
As part of the submittal the state includes a description of
the basic program, predicts effect of the program on a given
NAAQS criteria pollutant and provides a written commit-
ment to evaluate the program over the desired period of
implementation and to remedy any emission reduction
shortfall in a timely manner.
In the submittal, the state describes the basic program,
including how the business coalition intends to facilitate the
activityregional rideshare program. For example, partici-
pating businesses provide a network for matching up poten-
tial riders for carpools.
3. Activity Effects
The state submits predicted and observed activity effects.
Data is generated and analyzed which examines the predict-
ed and actual effect of the program.
In this example, using information provided by the business
coalition, the state estimates that 8000 individuals who
previously chose to drive to work alone in their personal
vehicles now participate in carpools.
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Specific Information to Submit, continued
4. Emission Effects
Activity effects ultimately are translated into emissions bene-
fit calculations (usually in tons per day/per year).
The state is given up-front credit for emission reductions
estimated from the reduction in motor vehicle use attribut-
able to the regional rideshare program.
5. State Commitment for Evaluation* Reporting*
and Addressing Credit Shortfall
The state is responsible for ensuring that data will be col-
lected regarding participation and the effectiveness of the
program. In addition, the state commits to remedy any SIP
credit shortfall in a timely manner if the voluntary measure
does not achieve projected emission reductions.
The state, as part of the evaluation and reporting commit-
ment, submits to EPA a comparison of the predicted effect
of the program with the actual observed levels. In this
example the business coalition finds that 8000 employees
participated in carpools as predicted. Thus, the predicted
reductions are achieved.
6. Technical Support Documentation
The state submits Technical Support Documents describing
the program and the methodology for predicting emissions
benefits. Where possible the state identifies data collection
methodologies and information necessary for describing
implementation, compliance, effectiveness and other
relevant information.
This information accounts for the following:
Programmatic Uncertainty
Because the program is voluntary in nature, the state is
responsible for submitting to EPA the predicted and,
eventually, the actual participation levels.
Analytic Methodology
The state describes how they estimated participation
levels and the effect of the activity on emissions.
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