El Monte, CA — April 14, 2008 — The (California) Air Resources Board (the Board or ARB) staff invites you to participate in a public workshop on May 15, 2008, in El Monte, California, to discuss approaches to reduce emissions from mobile air conditioners. The proposed control measure would require manufacturers to equip new vehicles with technologies that will reduce the solar heat gain of vehicles parked in the sun. This is the first workshop in the rulemaking process for this proposed climate change regulation.

The workshop will be held at the date, time, and location listed below:
DATE: Thursday, May 15, 2008
TIME: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
PLACE: California Air Resources Board - Annex 3, Conference Room 100
9460 Telstar Avenue, El Monte, CA 91731

Background
Assembly Bill 32, signed into law in 2006, directs ARB to reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions from virtual all sources. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) are emitted when petroleum products are burned. Greater fuel consumption translates directly into greater CO2 emissions. The use of air conditioners in motor vehicles substantially increases vehicular fuel consumption. Therefore, an obvious way to reduce the CO2 emissions from motor vehicles is to reduce air conditioner use.

The air conditioner is typically activated when the driver starts a vehicle that has been parked in the sun. The interior of such a vehicle is often quite hot. If the interior of the vehicle were cooler, it is anticipated that many drivers would not activate their vehicle’s air conditioner. Several approaches to reducing interior soak temperatures have been identified, including solar reflective paints and window glazing and passive or active ventilation systems.

ARB staff will host a workshop to discuss the planned regulatory approach in this area. The purpose of this workshop is to inform interested parties about the proposed action, solicit input from affected parties as to the most effective way to craft the proposed regulations, and gather information about the anticipated cost of the proposed regulations. Additional background materials, draft requirements, and a workshop agenda will be available at the workshop and at least 10 days prior to the workshop on ARB’s climate change website at http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/cool-paints/cool-paints.htm or may be requested from ARB’s Emission Research and Regulatory Development Branch at (626) 575-6632.

It is staff’s intent to minimize CO2 emissions at the outset by minimizing postal mailings for this regulation. Thus, ARB encourages you to sign up to receive email notification for this and other climate change activities at http://www.arb.ca.gov/listserv/cc.htm. For this specific item, select the “Cool Cars” list. To continue to receive hard-copy notifications for this item, you must specifically request to do so. Requests can be made at the workshop, or by contacting Dr. Marijke Bekken at mbekken@arb.ca.gov or (626) 575-6684.

Additional Information
ARB staff is soliciting comments and questions from interested stakeholders before the workshop takes place. Stakeholders are also encouraged to present comments at the workshop, and in writing or by e-mail at any time. Comments or questions can be directed to Dr. Marijke Bekken at mbekken@arb.ca.gov or (626) 575-6684. Please send a copy of any comments to Ms. Sharon Lemieux, Manager, at sclemieu@arb.ca.gov. Comments may also be faxed to (626) 459-4480.

For disability-related accommodation, please contact the ADA Coordinator at (916) 323-4916 or visit http://www.arb.ca.gov/html/ada/ada.htm for assistance. If you need assistance in a language other than English, please visit http://www.arb.ca.gov/as/eeo/languageaccess.htm or contact the Bilingual Coordinator at (916) 324-5049.

Sincerely,
Robert H. Cross, Chief
Mobile Source Control Division