2000 ANNUAL REPORT
ISSUES BY REGION

Clean Air Partnership Formed to Support Fuel Neutrality

A coalition of school districts, transit agencies, business groups and the petroleum industry found common ground in opposing unreasonable regulations proposed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) early in 2000. The district’s proposed fleet rules, called the 1190 series, would have mandated that alternative fueled buses, trucks, taxis and other heavy equipment be purchased by public fleet operators when new vehicle acquisitions were considered. The coalition was called the South Coast Clean Air Partnership (SCCAP) and was led by environmental spokesperson Bob Sulnick, who previously founded the American Oceans Campaign.

The Coalition’s goal was to amend the District’s fleet rules to be fuel neutral, allowing the use of clean diesel technology combined with particulate traps to compete with alternative fuels. SCCAP members argued that the AQMD must allow school districts and transit agencies to select the fuel that makes the most economic sense for them while still meeting the clean air objectives of the rules. Coalition participants also testified before the AQMD Board that clean diesel consumes less energy, is more cost-effective and emits fewer greenhouse gases than compressed natural gas.

"Follow CARB’s Lead"

The SCCAP coalition called on the district to follow the lead of the California Air Resource Board (CARB) which had already passed landmark regulations for urban transit agencies that were fuel-neutral. The Coalition stated that the AQMD rules should be consistent with the ARB’s rules to minimize the tremendous impact the proposals would have on Southern California’s economy.

SCCAP members remain active in pursuing fuel neutrality for fleet rules in both the South Coast and before other air districts and transit agencies across the state.

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