Administrative Committee

REPORT:

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on June 12, 1996. Major items discussed included a review of Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the July Board Meeting. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided, together with an attendance roster. There will be no meeting on July 10, 1996. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on August 14, 1996 in AQMD Conference Room CC-8 at 12:00 PM.

Receive and file this report.

CSL:dk

Committee Topics

1.Cost-Share the Retrofit of a Metropolitan Transportation Authority Methanol Bus to Operate on Compressed Natural Gas

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) staff is considering converting its methanol bus fleet to operate on diesel fuel. To evaluate all options for the methanol buses, MTA plans to evaluate the possibility of retrofitting the buses to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). MTA has requested financial assistance to support the conversion of one methanol bus to CNG to determine the feasibility of this approach. AQMD’s cost-share will not exceed $75,000. Total project cost is approximately $192,800. The Committee reviewed the information presented and noted their approval of staff’s recommendation.

2.Cost-Share the Modeling, Design and Demonstration of a Fuel Cell Power System for the Advanced Technology Transit Bus (ATTB)

The Fuel Cell Buyers Consortium (FCBC), a non-profit entity created by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, has proposed a project to develop and demonstrate ATTBs powered by fuel cells. In Phase 1, FCBC will model and design a fuel cell system that can be assembled, installed, and tested in an ATTB testbed. The total cost of Phase 1 is approximately $1.35 million. AQMD’s contribution will not exceed $350,000, and shall be contingent on cost-sharing of at least $1 million from other funders. The Committee reviewed the information presented and noted their approval of staff’s recommendation.

3.Status Report on Fuel Cell Task Force

Jon Leonard presented a status report on the Fuel Cell Task Force, indicating that the next meeting will probably be in early August of this year. Currently a questionnaire has been sent out to interested parties soliciting input on available dates and suggested format for the next meeting.

Other Business

Dr. Chung Liu advised Committee members that the Board Letter to “Execute a Contract to Cost-Share the Development of a Prototype Economical Advanced Electric Vehicle and a Plan for California Production” would be opposed by WSPA at the June 12, 1996 Board Meeting.

Public Comment Period

There was no public comment.

Attendance

Present were Committee Chairman Leonard Paulitz, Committee Vice Chair Jon Mikels, and Committee Member Roy Wilson. Other attendees were as follows:

James M. Lents, Ph.D., Executive Officer SCAQMD

Chung S. Liu, ADEO Technology Advancement SCAQMD

Paul Wuebben, Technology Advancement SCAQMD

Cindy Sullivan, Technology Advancement SCAQMD

Jon Leonard, Technology Advancement SCAQMD

Dory Kilgour, Technology Advancement SCAQMD

Bill Wong, District Counsel’s Office SCAQMD

Sam Atwood, Press Office SCAQMD

Eck Chaiboonma MTA

John Billheimer Consultant