Proposal:

Execute Contract with Gladstein & Associates to Cost-Share Phase II of the Interstate Clean Transportation Corridor and Support the Local Government Clean Fuels Outreach Program

Synopsis:

Gladstein & Associates proposes to continue the Interstate Clean Transportation Corridor (ICTC) project and to initiate a clean fuels outreach program to local governments. ICTC Phase II will continue to implement clean fuel trucks and infrastructure on interstate corridors. This effort will be expanded to increase awareness and involvement of local governments in clean fuel vehicles, with particular emphasis on designated Department of Energy Clean Cities to facilitate use of clean fuel vehicles in the public and private sectors. Total AQMD funding will not exceed $133,000.

Committee:

Technology, March 28, 1997. Chair Leonard Paulitz and member Cody Cluff communicate their concurrence with the Executive Officer’s recommendation.

Recommended Action:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Gladstein & Associates in an amount not to exceed $133,000 to implement phase II of the Interstate Clean Transportation Corridor and support the local government clean fuels outreach program.

James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer

Background

The AQMP relies on significant penetration of low emission innovative technologies into the transportation sector to achieve its air quality goals. Achieving the goals the AQMP and the SIP will require this aggressive penetration of low emission vehicles into California’s transportation sector, particularly in the heavy-duty vehicle sector. CARB estimates that heavy-duty trucks represent 4 percent of the vehicle population in California, but will contribute over 50 percent of the NOx and over 80 percent of the on-road particulate matter (PM) by the year 2010.

In 1996, the Governing Board approved AQMD participation in the Interstate Clean Transportation Corridor, a multi-sponsored project to implement alternative-fuel heavy-duty trucks within and between the states of California, Nevada and Utah. In addition to technology development and demonstration, a fundamental element of the Technology Advancement program is the outreach effort to local communities to inform them about available clean fuel and low-emission technologies. Southern California cities can be important leaders in the effort to reduce air pollution from mobile sources by becoming early adopters of alternative fuel vehicles (AFV). Several cities in the Basin have formalized their commitment by becoming recognized by the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) as Clean Cities. However, many local governments have not defined a plan to implement a clean fuels strategy, and even the designated Clean Cities are finding it difficult to expand their programs throughout the community and to the private sector.

Proposal

The original ICTC strategy was conceived to help interstate truck fleets procure and deploy alternative fuel trucks, while simultaneously working with fuel providers to build the refueling infrastructure to serve these fleets. The difficulties in implementing trucks and fueling infrastructure simultaneously led the project sponsors to focus on implementation of the project in ever-widening circles, expanding the corridors as vehicles and fueling infrastructure became available. In addition, the process of informing and educating vehicle operators, fuel suppliers and others regarding available technologies and funding sources has been overwhelming. This education process needs to be expanded if the use of alternative fuel trucks is to become commercially viable in intra- and interstate applications.

Gladstein & Associates proposes to initiate Phase II of the ICTC, which will further focus on implementing the concentric circle approach to truck corridor development. This approach recognizes the current limited availability of alternative fuel engines for long-haul application and begins to build on the number of alternative fuel refueling facilities and local fleets using alternative fuel vehicles. Phase II of the ICTC will focus on implementation of technology, using the concentric circle approach. Major Tasks include:

• Fleet Operator Outreach, expanding the existing truck fleet operator database, and providing information to fleets on available technologies, infrastructure, and funding resources.

• Creation of Public-Private Partnerships amongst air and energy agencies, manufacturers, fuel providers and vehicle operators, in order to develop sustainable heavy-duty alternative fuel markets.

• Assessment of Key Market Conditions affecting the commercialization of alternative fuel vehicles, including fuel prices, fuel taxes, cost of vehicles and engines, development of infrastructure, and development of government policies.

• Coordination of Working Groups within the ICTC Stakeholders, such as public policy and fuel-specific working groups. These groups are designed to identify barriers and formulate proposed solutions to those barriers affecting the implementation of the ICTC.

In addition to the above tasks directly related to implementation of the ICTC, Gladstein & Associates will implement a program to facilitate regular communication, interaction and cooperation among the Basin communities that are interested in pursuing alternative fuel (AFV) and electric vehicle (EV) programs. This effort will include the following tasks:

• Provide support to AQMD community outreach efforts by identification of those Basin cities currently designated as Clean Cities, identification of cities that need assistance in effectively utilizing their AB2766 subvention funds, and providing technical support for meetings with local governments.

• Establish an on-going coordination effort with designated Clean Cities to increase opportunities for collaboration of AFV and EV purchases and infrastructure development.

• Develop a format and schedule for quarterly roundtable discussion sessions for Clean Cities and others pursuing clean fuel strategies. Information to be discussed at such meetings includes commercially-available alternative fuel vehicle and engines, joint purchase opportunities, infrastructure development strategies, and identification of funding availability.

• Provide technical assistance to cities formulating a clean fuels strategy and/or pursuing Clean Cities designation.

The proposed project is included in the Technology Advancement Plan, approved on October 11, 1996, as Project M1-3, "Advanced Heavy-Duty Truck Development and Demonstration," and Project, TT-01, "Assessment of Advanced Technologies and Information Dissemination." Direct emission reductions are not quantified at this time, but will be significant with every alternative fuel truck added to California’s fleets. Future benefits will be realized through expediting the acceptance and commercialization of advanced technologies and clean fuels in the Basin.

Sole Source Justification

Section II, Step 3,(C) of the Consultant Selection Policy and Procedure identifies four provisions under which a sole-source award may be justified: (1) cost to prepare documents exceeds cost for consultant, (2) delay would result in the endangerment of public health, (3) services are only available from sole source, and (4) other circumstances exist identifying sole source as in the best interests of the AQMD. This request for sole-source award is made under provision (4).

It is in the AQMD’s best interests to enter into a costshare agreement with Gladstein & Associates for implementation of the Interstate Clean Transportation Corridor and outreach efforts to Basin communities to expand the use of all alternative fuel vehicles in the Basin. Costshare, estimated at $345,000, is expected from U. S. Department of Energy, ARB, EPA, and others.

Gladstein & Associates is a small business located in the Basin. Cliff Gladstein, President of Gladstein & Associates, is a respected environmental leader and consultant, with more than ten years of experience in air quality, energy and transportation issues. Mr. Gladstein served on the President’s Federal Fleet Conversion Task Force Federal-State and Local Regulation Working Group. He has been a consultant to Southern California Gas Company on natural gas vehicle implementation plans, alternative energy technologies and related policy issues. He has worked with several alternative fuel vehicle and advanced transportation technology companies to develop programs to develop programs to accelerate the penetration of cleaner transportation technologies.

Dennis Zane, principal of Urban Dimensions and subcontractor to Gladstein & Associates, possesses a unique combination of knowledge and experience in the operations of municipal government, as well as the specific needs of alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure. He served 12 years as an elected municipal official in the City of Santa Monica, including two years as mayor. Zane is well known in municipal government political circles for his environmental policy work and his development and implementation of environmental strategies. He has worked as a consultant on energy policy issues to the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board member Marvin Braude and as executive director of the Coalition for Clean Air. In 1994 he was a delegate to France to view the French Electric Vehicle Model Cities program. He has co-chaired the Truck Working Group, a statewide group seeking to implement strategies to meet the SIP. Most recently he has worked with Edison EV in implementing an electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the Basin, and is a subcontractor to the ICTC effort.

Resource Impacts

The AQMD is a co-funder for Phase I of the ICTC, in the amount of $50,000. Proposed AQMD co-funding for Phase II of the ICTC is $50,000. In addition to direct co-funding to the ICTC, staff proposes that this effort be supplemented by technical outreach and coordination with local governments in the Basin. This effort, specifically directed to the Basin’s Clean Cities, would be supported by $83,000 in AQMD funding. The total cost of the proposed project is $478,000, with $133,000 funded by AQMD. Sufficient funds are available in the FY 1996-97 Budget.

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