BOARD MEETING DATE: July 11, 1997 AGENDA NO. 7
PROPOSAL:
Execute Contract to Repower Tug Boat with Ultra Low Emissions Diesel Engines
SYNOPSIS:
A demonstration project to repower a tug boat with ultra low emissions diesel engines has been reviewed and approved by the EPA. The program will be managed by the Port of Los Angeles, with the services of Ocean Air Environmental. Total project cost is $505,000. AQMD's contribution shall not exceed $77,500. The remaining balance will be co-funded with $350,000 from the EPA through a Section 103 Grant, $25,000 from the Port of Los Angeles, $40,000 from Connolly-Pacific, and $12,500 from Valley Detroit Diesel Allison.
COMMITTEE:
Technology, June 27, 1997, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1. Upon receipt, recognize $350,000 in revenue based on the award of the cooperative agreement with the EPA, and appropriate $77,500 from the Technology Advancement Fund and $350,000 from the General Fund Undesignated Fund Balance to the Services and Supplies Major Object, Professional and Special Services Account in the Technology Advancement office.
2. Authorize the Chairman to execute contract with the Port of Los Angeles, in an amount not to exceed $427,500 to repower a tug boat with ultra low diesel engines.
James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer
Background
The Port of Los Angeles is the busiest port in the nation in terms of cargo handled. Eighty shipping lines from more than one hundred nations call throughout the year at the Port of Los Angeles, while five major cruise lines regularly sail with a multitude of passengers from the Port's World Cruise Center. The marine vessels operating out of the Port log in substantially more operating hours compared to other ports. Typically, the marine vessel activities in the Port include harbor tugs, ship handling tugs, pilot boats, commercial fishing and recreation boats, and tankers. There are approximately fifty tug boats that service the Port, mostly equipped with naturally aspirated old diesel engines with very high NOx emissions.
Proposal
The main objective of this demonstration project is to show substantial reduction in NOx emissions by repowering a tug boat with ultra low emissions diesel engines at the Port of Los Angeles. Specifically, the tug boat called Patcona II, operated by Connolly-Pacific Company, will be repowered for this project. The Patcona II is primarily used to haul quarry rock from Santa Catalina Island to the Port of Los Angeles. It is currently powered by two 12V-149N Detroit Diesel engines, with NOx emissions of 11 grams/bhp-hr. The proposed new engines will have NOx emissions of 5 grams/bhp-hr, as well as much improved fuel efficiency. The demonstration will include installation, operation, emissions testing and cost evaluation of the two new engines. It is estimated that NOx emissions will be reduced by approximately 28.5 tons/yr from the current level of 59.5 tons/yr.
The proposed project is included in the Technology Advancement Plan, approved by the Board on October 11, 1996 as Project T6-1, "Advanced Transportation Systems Research, Development, and Demonstration." The major benefits of this project are initiation of a voluntary government-industry partnership program at one of the world's largest commercial ports to demonstrate the viability of an innovative technology in tug boat application, enhancing the awareness of vessel owners of the feasibility and benefits of low emitting engines, and obtaining substantial and cost-effective reduction of NOx emissions.
Sole Source Justification
Section II, Step 3(C) of the Consultant Selection Policy identifies four provisions under which the Governing Board may award a sole-source contract: (1) cost to prepare documents exceeds the cost for consultants; (2) delay would result in the endangerment of public health; (3) services are only available from sole source; (4) other circumstances exist identifying the sole source as in the best interest of the AQMD. This request for sole source award is being made under provision (4).
The Port of Los Angeles has assembled a highly qualified team to execute this project, and is in the unique position of being able to manage the project in alliance with government and industry. As the busiest port in the nation, the Port of Los Angeles places a high emphasis on staying ahead of infrastructure demands and offering a variety of marketing, port, and other services to customers, while keeping environmental concerns as a leading priority. Co-funding and implementing this project will successfully address some of the environmental concerns, and will establish real and quantifiable emission benefits.
Ocean Air Environmental of Goleta, California will be the subcontractor responsible for repowering, emissions testing, and cost evaluation of this demonstration. Mr. Mahesh Talwar of Ocean Air Environmental, who will manage this project, is widely recognized as one of the leading experts in the field of mobile source pollution reduction technologies. He offers over 10 years of experience managing low emission engine programs, including the programs in Santa Barbara.
The Port of Los Angeles encourages the participation of, and uses as subcontractors, small businesses, and minority-, disabled veteran-, and women-owned business enterprises in its programs to the maximum extent possible to ensure efficient performance and comply with contract requirements and applicable laws.
Resource Impacts
Total cost for the proposed project is $505,000. AQMD's co-funding shall not exceed $77,500, with the remaining balance being co-funded by the EPA with $350,000 to be awarded to the AQMD through Grant 103, Port of Los Angeles with $25,000, Connolly-Pacific with $40,000, and Valley Detroit Diesel Allison with $12,500. Sufficient funds are available in the Technology Advancement Fund to meet AQMD’s $77,500 co-funding commitment.
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