Fuels Multimedia Evaluations

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Background

California Health and Safety Code section 43830.8 defines a “multimedia evaluation” as “the identification of any significant adverse impact on public health or the environment, including air, water, or soil, that may result from the production, use, or disposal of the motor vehicle fuel that may be used to meet the state board’s motor vehicle fuel specifications.” The MME must address:

  • Emissions of air pollutants
  • Contamination of surface water, ground water, and soil
  • Disposal or use of byproducts and waste materials

The MME process is conducted by the Multimedia Working Group (MMWG, explained below) and consists of three tiers. The three tier MME process was developed by the Universities of California, Davis and Berkeley, for the evaluation of fuel and is adaptable to capture issues unique to each fuel.

  • Tier I: Summary Report
    • Determine what is known about the fuel
    • Identify knowledge gaps
    • Outline experimental plan to fill knowledge gaps
  • Tier II: Experimental Report
    • Conduct experiments that address knowledge gaps and evaluate key risk assessment elements
    • Evaluate experimental results
  • Tier III: Multimedia Risk Assessment Final Report
    • Prepare final report
    • Finalize Multimedia Risk Assessment
    • Complete independent scientific peer review

The MMWG consists of staff from CARB and the other expert agencies listed in the Multimedia Guidance document, as well as other agencies with regulatory oversight over fuels, including the Department of Toxic Substance Control, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Pesticide Regulation, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. After the three tiers of the MME are completed, and prior to CARB adoption of a potential regulation, the MMWG makes a recommendation to the Environmental Policy Council (EPC, generally consisting of the heads of the MMWG agencies) on whether allowing a particular fuel specification amendment (in this case, authorization of the use of E15) in California would have significant adverse impacts on public health or the environment. In accordance with HSC 43830.8, the EPC shall complete its review of the MME and staff recommendation and determine whether a potential regulation allowing the fuel specification in California would have significant adverse impacts on public health or the environment, CARB may adopt an updated fuel spec regulation following recommendations from the EPC on whether the proposed regulation will cause a significant adverse impact.

Multimedia Evaluations