REPORT:

Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee

SYNOPSIS:

Set forth below is a summary of key issues addressed at the MSRC’s August 28, 1997 meeting. The next MSRC meeting is Thursday, September 25, 1997, at 1:00 p.m. in AQMD Conference Room CC8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file this report.

Nell Soto
AQMD Board Representative on MSRC

Minutes

The minutes of the July 24, 1997, monthly meeting were approved, as submitted, and are provided for your information as Attachment 1.

Meeting Time Change

The MSRC decided to change its meeting time to commence at 1:30 p.m. (rather than 1:00 p.m.), effective its October 23, 1997 meeting. This change was made to accommodate two MSRC members who also participate on the Los Angeles County MTA Board, the meetings for which were recently rescheduled and now overlap the MSRC’s.

Approval of Qualifications Package for Solectria Force for Participation in the MSRC’s ZEV "Quick Charge" Program

In September 1996 we approved the first qualified manufacturer and qualifications package for participation in the MSRC’s ZEV "Quick Charge" Program. At that time we authorized the MSRC to approve future qualification packages. The MSRC unanimously approved the qualifications package for the Solectria Force as part of the FY 1995-97 AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Work Program. Solectria is a Massachusetts-based company, and the Solectria Force is their production line four-door, four-passenger electric sedan with an on-board conductive charger using either a lead-acid battery or the optional, more expensive nickel-metal hydride battery. The Solectria Force passed all ARB and EV America specification requirements relative to performance and safety standards. The vehicle is available for lease or purchase at approximately $33,995. Unlike the EV-1 which targets mostly the consumer audience, the Solectria Force is targeted toward commuter and fleet applications. One entity has already conveyed its intention to purchase the vehicle to implement its commuter program.

To date the MSRC has approved four vehicles for the $5,000 manufacturer’s buydown: General Motors’ EV-1 and S-10 electric pickup; Honda’s EV Plus; and the Solectria Force electric sedan.

FY 1997-99 AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Work Program

Although the MSRC received its Technical Advisory Committee’s project recommendations on four components of the FY 1997-99 Work Program, including Research and Development, Student Education, Smart Shuttle/Transit System Enhancements, and Market Incentives, and received public comment on those recommendations, the MSRC postponed its decision until the September 25, 1997 MSRC meeting. Therefore, the Governing Board’s consideration of these components within the FY 1997-99 Work Program has been continued to the October 10, 1997 Board meeting.

Also at its August 28, 1997 meeting, the MSRC unanimously approved an $8,000 allocation to co-fund an electric vehicle survey being conducted by the California Electric Transportation Coalition (CalETC), in coordination with other agencies and automobile manufacturers, to assist in determining the future placement of EV charging stations. These funds will complement an existing $40,000 contract between the AQMD’s Technology Advancement office and CalETC, while the other consortium members have contributed $8,000 in co-funding toward the survey effort. Participation in this survey and accompanying focus groups and analysis will assist the MSRC in its ZEV/ULEV Quick Charge Phase II Program within the FY 1997-99 Work Program. This funding allocation will be considered at the October 10, 1997 Governing Board meeting as part of the FY 1997-99 Work Program.

Legislative Update

The MSRC received a legislative update from AQMD Legislative Director, Catherine Witherspoon, by conference call from Sacramento. Ms. Witherspoon reported on the status of two issues that potentially could affect the MSRC: Smog Check II and diesel truck bills. She reported that a package of Smog Check II bills passed the Transportation Committee on Tuesday, August 26, which both relaxed the smog check program and deleted all subsidies for vehicle repairs and assistance. The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) will submit recommendations to the Legislature in September as to how the low-income subsidy program should work and be funded and at what level assistance should be provided. The BAR has always favored using AB 2766 funds for Smog Check, but Ms. Witherspoon testified that the BAR should consult with the ARB on what funding sources are appropriate so that one program is not sacrificed for another. One diesel truck bill, AB 1368 (Villaraigosa), was sent to interim study at which time recommendations will be considered on how to fund the bill. At this time the final form of AB 1368 does not take away any specific funding, but offers a 5-1 matching opportunity to local governments and air districts that apply their monies to diesel engine rebuilds or alternative fuels. The interim hearing will be convened between mid-September 1997 and January 1998, probably in Los Angeles.

MSRC Outreach Efforts/Coordination

In the last few months the MSRC has been communicating with the Board’s Ethnic Community Advisory Group (ECAG) and its Ad Hoc Affirmative Action Committee relative to outreach efforts in minority communities. At its August 28 meeting, the MSRC received three additional recommendations from the ECAG toward enhancing outreach efforts. Specifically, the ECAG recommended the following: 1) formation of an Ad Hoc Committee, comprised of ECAG and MSRC members, to work on outreach issues of mutual interest; 2) appointment of an MSRC member to serve on the ECAG’s Outreach Committee; and 3) appointment of an MSRC liaison to the ECAG for the purpose of attending ECAG’s monthly meetings.

The MSRC Chair John Longville and another member of the MSRC, Ms. Judy Nieburger, were appointed as members of the Joint Ad Hoc Committee, and I was appointed as the MSRC’s representative to the ECAG’s Outreach Committee. As the Governing Board’s liaison to the ECAG, I already attend the monthly ECAG meetings and will keep the MSRC apprised of any relevant issues. In addition, the ECAG’s monthly agenda will be provided to the MSRC in advance for their information.

Contract Modification Requests

The MSRC took the following unanimous actions on requested contract modifications, as recommended by its Technical Advisory Committee:

1. Approval of a scope change allowing operation by demand response service rather than fixed-route service and a change in the service provider for City of Montebello Contract #C96040, which provides $154,000 for a rail feeder demonstration project;

2. Approval of a scope change and cost reallocation to accommodate staffing changes and an eight-month contractual term extension for Tecogen Contract # C97004, which provides $241,314 for improvement of fuel efficiency of spark ignited natural gas engines;

3. Approval of a scope change and cost reallocation allowing for preparation and dissemination of a newsletter for Bike Stations, Inc. Contract #C97010, which provides $76,975 to establish a frequent rider program;

4. Approval of a two-month contractual term extension to allow for completion of Phase I for Southern California Association of Governments Contract #C96025, which provides $550,000 to develop a regional transit database;

5. Approval of a cost reallocation to allow for travel overruns in support of the GM test vehicle setup for Hughes Santa Barbara Research Center Contract #C96024, which provides $266,318 for development of a remote emissions sensor; and

6. Approval of a six-month contractual term extension for Baytech Contract #C96022, which provides $390,728 for a CNG engine demonstration.

The MSRC also received and filed a report on "Scope Changes Handled Administratively by the AQMD Contract Administrator" for August 1997. The report included two minor contract modifications on the following contracts: 1) City of Torrance Contract #C96004, which provides $96,160 for development of an urban trail system; and 2) Anaheim Transportation Network Contract #C97009, which provides $43,720 for a campaign to increase bicycle ridership to the Anaheim Metrolink.

Contract Administrator Report

The MSRC's AB 2766 Contract Administrator provided a written status report on all fiscal year contracts. This Contract Administrator Report is attached for your information (Attachment 2). This Report includes a spreadsheet on the Local Government Subvention Match Program listing those projects that have met MSRC program requirements to date.

Attachments

1 - Approved July 24, 1997, MSRC monthly minutes

2 - Contract Administrator Report

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