REPORT:

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on November 7, 1997. Major items discussed included feature presentations on advanced transportation technology and L.A./Ventura counties ITS planning development; updates and reports on legislation, TAO Clean Fuels Program reauthorization and monthly reports on Environmental Justice Initiatives #7, 8, and 10. Reports were also given on DOE’s Annual Automotive Technology Development Customers’ Coordination Meeting, the Health and Diesel Conference of November 20 and 21, 1997, and the Technology Symposium of December 4 and 5, 1997. Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the December Board Meeting were reviewed. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided, together with an attendance roster. The next Technology Committee meeting is scheduled on December 11, 1997 at 11:30 a.m.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file this report.

Wayne H. Nastri, Chairman
Technology Committee

Attendance:

Present were Committee Chairman Wayne Nastri, Committee Vice Chair Leonard Paulitz, and Committee members Norma Glover, Jon Mikels, and Roy Wilson.

Technology Advancement Feature Presentations

Presentation on Advanced Transportation Technology - Mike Nazemi of Technology Advancement presented an overview of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) as it applies to Southern California. He discussed the AQMD’s role on the Steering Committee of the Southern California Priority Corridor, and the Los Angeles/Ventura County Regional ITS Coordinating Committee. He then showed a video sponsored by U.S. DOT entitled "Moving Transportation Into the Information Age."

Presentation on L.A./Ventura Counties ITS Planning Development - Sarah
Siwek, a private consultant in transportation studies, gave a presentation on behalf of the Los Angeles/Ventura Committee designed as an outreach element for elected officials. Her presentation explained what ITS is, how it works, and how it benefits communities in terms of traffic management.

Updates and Reports

Legislative Update - Greg Alterton of the Legislative Office reviewed the Resolution in Support of the Legislative Reauthorization of the District’s Clean Fuels Program.

TAO Clean Fuels Program Reauthorization - Lupe Valdez, DEO of Public Affairs and Local Government Assistance, indicated she would keep the Committee informed with monthly updates on the progress of the reauthorization efforts for the Clean Fuels Program. Chairman Nastri requested specific information as to the bill’s author and co-author, and presentation of a strategic plan at the December Technology Committee meeting.

Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives

Initiative #7 - Andy Abele of Technology Advancement presented a status report on Environmental Justice Initiative #7, Cleanup Incentives for Diesel. A monthly status report was handed out and is attached hereto as Attachment B Chairman Nastri inquired if incentives were being explored and if manufacturers had identified incentives they would like. Tim Carmichael from the Coalition for Clean Air indicated that the trucking industry had identified two key incentives: cost and refueling infrastructure.

Initiative #8 - Carol Coy, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer Stationary Source Compliance, presented a status report on Environmental Justice Initiative #8, Advanced Field Inspection Technology. A monthly status report was handed out and is attached hereto as Attachment C.

Initiative #10 - Jack Broadbent, Deputy Executive Officer, Stationary Source Compliance, presented a status report on Environmental Justice Initiative #10, Rules 1401 and 1402. A monthly status report was handed out and is attached hereto as Attachment D. Tim Carmichael of the Coalition for Clean Air asked to have the timeline clarified and rulemaking completed in early 1998.

Report on DOE’s Annual Automotive Technology Development Customers’ Coordination Meeting - Wayne Nastri, Chairman of the Technology Committee, reported on his recent attendance at the Annual Automotive Technology Development Customer’s Coordination Meeting held in Dearborn, Michigan from October 27 to 30, 1997. Major topics addressed were greenhouse gases, sports utility vehicles, and optimization of diesel technology.

Health and Diesel Conference - November 20 & 21, 1997 - Mike Nazemi of Technology Advancement briefed the Committee on the upcoming Health Effects/Diesel Conference. As of today, 283 people have registered. The final brochures for this event were distributed to the Committee.

Technology Symposium - December 4 & 5, 1997 - Jon Leonard of Technology Advancement passed out brochures describing the upcoming Technology Symposium.

December Board Agenda Items

1. Execute Contract to Co-Sponsor Development of Best Design Practices and Assessment of Cost-Reduction Potential for Conductive Charging Support Systems for Electric Vehicles with Advanced Batteries - Acurex Environmental Corporation proposes to develop a commercial conductive charging system suitable for electric vehicles with advanced batteries and conductive charging systems. Total project cost is $578,483. AQMD’s contribution shall not exceed $264,233. The remaining balance will be co-funded with $25,000 from the ARB, $100,000 from the California Energy Commission, $70,000 from Honda, and $119,250 from customers of the prototype units. AQMD shall act as a pass-through for the ARB funds. The Committee reviewed the information presented, and noted their approval of staff’s recommendation.

2. Execute Contract to Cost-Share Demonstration and Evaluation of Fast-Charging, State-of-the-Art, Advanced Lead-Acid Batteries - Southern California Edison, jointly with ARB and the Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium (ALABC), has proposed to demonstrate and evaluate the performance and durability of advanced lead-acid batteries under fast-charging conditions. Edison, through ALABC, will purchase advanced batteries from different lead-acid manufacturers, and use 100 kW fast-chargers to extensively test these battery packs at Edison’s EV Tech Center in Pomona, California. The total cost of this 24-month project is $655,000 which will be cost-shared by Edison ($220,800), ALABC ($226,800), and ARB ($105,400). The proposed AQMD cost-share is $102,000. The Committee reviewed the information presented and noted, with one abstention by Wayne Nastri, their approval of staff’s recommendation.

3. Appropriate Funds to Cost-Share Evaluation of In-Use Vehicles Retrofitted With Advanced Aftermarket Catalytic Converters - At its April 11, 1997 meeting, the Board authorized an agreement with New Emission Reduction Associates (New ERA), to be cofunded by the AQMD and ARB, to evaluate the effectiveness of replacing factory-equipped catalytic converters with advanced aftermarket units. Execution of a contract with ARB for their funding portion was not completed during Fiscal Year 1996-97, making it impossible to complete appropriation of funds for the contract with New ERA. In order to execute a contract with New ERA, as already authorized by the Board, funding for this project must be reappropriated using Fiscal Year 1997-98 funding. The Committee reviewed the information presented, and noted their approval of staff’s recommendation.

Other Business - There was no other business.

Public Comment Period - Public comments have been included under individual topic headings.

Attachments

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Attachment A - Attendance

Jennifer Korn AQMD Board Assistant
Carolyn Syms Luna AQMD Board Assistant
Daniela Fernandez AQMD Board Assistant
Maria Barragan AQMD Board Assistant
Edric Guise AQMD Board Assistant
Peter Whittingham Assistant to Supervisor Antonovich
Barry Wallerstein, Acting EO AQMD
Lupe Valdez, DEO Public Affairs &
Local Government Assistance AQMD
Carol Coy, ADEO Major Sources AQMD
Chung Liu, ADEO Technology Advancement AQMD
Bill Wong, District Counsel’s Office AQMD
Greg Atherton, Legislative Office AQMD
Nancy Covey, Finance AQMD
Andy Abele, Technology Advancement AQMD
Mike Nazemi, Technology Advancement AQMD
Jon Leonard, Technology Advancement AQMD
Paul Wuebben, Technology Advancement AQMD
Ranji George, Technology Advancement AQMD
Fred Minassian, Technology Advancement AQMD
Chris Abe, Technology Advancement AQMD
Drue Ramirez, Technology Advancement AQMD
Dory Kilgour, Technology Advancement AQMD
Juan Osborn ARB
Veroniks Pesinova ARB
Sarah Siwek SIS & Associates
Don Camph SIS & Associates
Carolyn Boundeaux SIS & Associates
Juan C. Argueta SCE
Mike LaCavera Westway Corporation
Lisa Carlson Orange County Sanitation District
Tim Carmichael Coalition for Clean Air
Kyle Davis SCE
John Billheimer Small Business Coalition
John Harper Small Business Coalition

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