AEP Climate Change Committee Update - EPA Approves EMFAC2021 Off-Model Adjustment Factors

EPA Approves EMFAC2021 Off-Model Adjustment Factors that may affect CEQA analysis of air quality, health risk, and GHG emissions

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the off-model adjustment factors for EMFAC2021 that can be used to remove the emissions benefits of the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT), Zero-Emission Airport Shuttle, Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine Emission Warranty and Maintenance Provisions (Warranty Phase 1), and Heavy-Duty Omnibus regulations.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) developed the off-model adjustment factors in response to three Congressional Resolutions and a Federal Executive Order, resending the California Waiver to the Clean Air Act.

The EMFAC2021 off-model adjustment factors are being used for calculating Criteria Pollutant emissions within California's State Implementation Plan (SIP).  Those providing Federal Conformity Analysis of a project will need to use the adjustment factors. However, CEQA analysis will require a more nuanced approach.

The AEP Climate Change Committee is currently evaluating the EMFAC2021 off-model adjustment factors and formulating guidance on when to use CalEEMod defaults, when to use EMFACT2025, and when to use the EMFAC2021 off-model adjustment factors in a CEQA analysis of air quality, health risk, and GHG emissions.

AEP will be offering a webinar to provide this guidance shortly.