Rule 211 Program

Introduction

More People, Vehicles, Emissions

Rule 211 Voluntary Alternatives

Rule 211 Overview

Rule 211 Applicability

Rule 211 Requirements

Rule 211 Employer's Commute Survey Results

Commute Survey

Violations

Definitions

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Voluntary Programs:

Ridesharing

Bicycling

Introduction

The Transportation Outreach Program (Rule 211) was the first of its kind in the nation. Rule 211 encourages companies to voluntarily participate in reducing vehicle trips to improve air pollution and reduce traffic congestion.

 

The District’s Transportation Outreach Program assists employers by offering the following services:

 

  • Distribution of educational materials highlighting individual choices that can improve air quality.
  • Presentations to employees about air quality, transportation, health effects of air pollution, and the benefits of various commute options.
  • Providing transportation demand management expertise.
  • Acknowledgment of exceptional voluntary efforts through a District recognition program.

 

For informational advisory that summarizes the basic requirements of Rule 211.

 

More People, Vehicles, Emissions

More than one half of Ventura County’s air pollution comes from motor vehicles. Our growing population is causing more vehicles to be driven more miles under more congested conditions. These changes in vehicle activity increase emissions and offset a large part of the emission reductions being achieved by the production and sale of new cleaner-running vehicles.

 

Rule 211 Voluntary Alternatives

In August 1998 the Air Pollution Control Board adopted Rule 211, Transportation Outreach Program. Rule 211 is a voluntary mobile source emission reduction program (VMEP). Beginning in 1998, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allowed VMEPs to be used on a limited basis to fulfill federal emission reduction mandates. The VMEP program required the APCD to monitor and report to EPA on the actual emission reductions achieved by Rule 211, Transportation Outreach Program.

 

Rule 211 Overview

Rule 211 requires employers to register with the District annually and conduct employee commute surveys every two years. Rule 211 allows the District to devote resources and efforts to assist employers with their voluntary trip reduction efforts.

 

District staff tabulates the survey data collected from employers and uses it to calculate the emission reductions achieved by employees’ use of alternative transportation modes for work commute trips. The District collects this data and reports to EPA on the actual emission reductions achieved by the transportation outreach program's voluntary efforts.

 

Rule 211 Applicability

Rule 211 applies to any employer with 100 or more employees reporting to a worksite. Worksites where less than 50 employees regularly report for work weekdays between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. are exempted from requirements to conduct commute surveys.

 

The term "worksite" includes all facilities owned, occupied, or operated by the employer on contiguous properties.

 

For cases where applicability is in question because the number of employees at a worksite is close to the threshold, applicability is determined based on the greatest number of employees reported to the State of California Employment Development Department during the past 12 months.

 

Click here for Rule 211 details and definitions.

 

Rule 211 Registration

All employers described by the applicability criteria are required to register with the District within 30 days of becoming subject to the rule or receiving a notice from the District. Information collected at registration includes:

 

  • Employer Name
  • Worksite Location
  • Number of Employees
  • Name of Designated Contact Person
  • Senior Management Contact Person

 

Employers are required to update registration information annually, and within 30 days of receiving a notice from the District. To obtain a downloadable registration form, click here.

 

Commute Survey

Rule 211 requires employers to conduct surveys of their employees’ commuting patterns once every two years in order to gauge the effectiveness of the District’s transportation outreach program. Surveys must be conducted in accordance with guidance issued by the District or in some other manner approved by the District.

 

Free and easy services to conduct commute surveys offered by the Ventura County Transportation Commission.

 

Violations

Failure to register, update registration, or conduct a survey in a timely manner consistent with approved guidance are enforceable violations of Rule 211.

 

A Notice of Violation may be issued to the facility resulting in monetary penalties or court prosecutions.

 

Definitions

The term "employee" is defined as any person hired by an employer to work for a wage or salary during 16 or more consecutive weeks. This definition includes part-time, temporary, and contracted employees.

 

The term "employer" is defined as any employer with an account number issued by the State of California Employment Development Department.

 

The term "worksite" includes facilities that are in physical contact or on contiguous properties separated solely by a public or private roadway.

 

For more information and details about the definitions, click here.

 

Need more information?

Contact Brian Serros, Air Quality Specialist, at (805) 303-3657, or e-mail brian@vcapcd.org