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REPORT:

Technology Committee

The Technology Committee met on July 17, 1998. Major items discussed included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the August Board meeting; a presentation on completed Technology Advancement projects; an update on the Technology Advancement Advisory Group meeting and the Technology Advancement Clean Fuels Program Reauthorization; and monthly reports on environmental justice initiatives 2, 7, 8, and 10. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided, together with an attendance roster. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on August 28, 1998 at 11:30 a.m. in CC-8.

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Attendance: Present were Committee Vice Chair Leonard Paulitz, and Committee members Jon Mikels and Wayne Nastri. Committee member Roy Wilson participated by video conference.

1. Execute Contract to Cost-Share Development and Pre-Commercial Demonstration of Caterpillar C-12 Natural Gas Engine - Natural gas, heavy-duty engines produce less than one-half the emissions of their diesel counterparts, and several natural gas engines are certified by the ARB as low-emission engines. However, while diesel engines are offered in horsepower ranges up to 600, the highest horsepower natural gas engine commercially available produces 350 HP. This lower horsepower is inadequate for many over-the-road applications. DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) proposes that the AQMD join in a project supporting Clean Air Partners efforts to bring a 425 HP Caterpillar C-12 natural gas engine to market. Total project cost is approximately $2,170,692. AQMD cost-share will not exceed $500,00. The Committee reviewed the information presented, and unanimously noted their approval of staff’s recommendation.
2. Execute RFP to Provide Technical Support for Implementation of Low Emission, Alternative Fuel Heavy-Duty Vehicles Within the Western United States - According to ARB estimates, heavy-duty vehicles make up only 2% of the over-all vehicle fleet in California, yet contribute 30% of NOx and 65% of particulate matter. Over 60% of the Basin’s NOx emissions inventory can be attributed to on-road mobile sources. Low emission, alternative fuel heavy-duty engines have one-half or less the NOx emissions of their diesel counterparts and a fraction of the particulate emissions. This action is to issue an RFP to solicit cost-shared proposals to facilitate the implementation of low-emission, alternative fuel, heavy-duty vehicles within the western United States. Total cost to the AQMD will not exceed $100,000. The Committee reviewed the information presented, and unanimously noted their approval of staff’s recommendation.
3. Execute Contract to Cost-Share Comparative Life-Cycle Assessment of Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicles Relative to Internal Combustion Engines. - Various studies have focused on quantifying the exhaust and evaporative emissions benefits expected with the implementation of the ARB’s ZEV program, leaving detailed examination of other environmental factors less well quantified. ARB is in the process of selecting a contractor to conduct a study to compare the life-cycle environmental impacts, excluding exhaust and evaporative emissions, of electric vehicles relative to conventional vehicles. ARB has invited the AQMD to co-sponsor this project. This action is to execute an agreement with ARB in the amount of $100,000 out of a total budget of $200,000. The Committee reviewed the information presented, and unanimously noted their approval of staff’s recommendation. The Committee also requested that staff return to the Committee with a special presentation on the completed project, indicating the results obtained and the emissions benefit achieved.
4. Execute Contract to Cost-Share Demonstration of Fast-Response On-Board NOx Sensors for Heavy-Duty Vehicles - Fast response sensors, capable of detecting real-time NOx emissions, could be useful as tools to assist in optimizing control techniques, as well as continuously monitoring vehicle NOx emissions. ARB is in the process of selecting a contractor to demonstrate fast-response on-board NOx sensors for heavy-duty vehicles. ARB has invited the AQMD to co-sponsor this project. This action is to execute an agreement with ARB in the amount of $125,000 out of a total budget of $350,000. The Committee reviewed the information presented, and unanimously noted their approval of staff’s recommendation. The Committee also requested that staff return to the Committee with a special presentation on the completed project, indicating the results obtained and the emissions benefit achieved.
5. Technology Advancement Advisory Group Quarterly Meeting - Andy Abele, Manager Clean Fuels Program, Technology Advancement, provided a brief overview of the Technology Advancement Advisory Group meeting of July 16, 1998. The Committee provided input for the next update of the Technology Advancement Plan and determined four major focus areas for research: (1) Fuel Cells; (2) Diesel Alternatives; (3) Electric and Hybrid Electric Technology; and (4) Off-Road Applications.
6. Report on Completed Technology Advancement Projects

Cindy Sullivan, Program Supervisor, Technology Advancement, presented a final report on the Cosponsorship of a Demonstration of Propane-Fueled Heavy Duty Engines, as well as the Cosponsorship of Phase I of a Comprehensive Clean Fuel Program for the County of Los Angeles.

Fred Minassian, Air Quality Specialist, Technology Advancement, presented a final report on the Development and Demonstration of Phase II Electric US Postal Service Long-Life Vehicle.

7. Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives

Initiative #2 - Rudy Eden, Manager, Applied Science and Technology, presented a status report on Environmental Justice Initiative #2, Ambient Toxic Monitoring. A monthly status report was handed out and is attached as Attachment B.

Initiative #7 - Andy Abele, Manager Clean Fuels Program 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 C.

Initiative #8 - Rudy Eden, Manager, Applied Science and Technology, 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 D.

Initiative #10 - Gary Quinn, AQACS, 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 E.

8. Other Business - There was no other business.
9. Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.

Attachments

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AQMD Staff, with peer review feedback, will design and conduct a program of ambient monitoring for toxic hot spots. Expanded, accurate, reliable, suitable data on exposure levels will enable us to begin to apply that knowledge to effective problem-solving.

June/Early July Actions:

1. MATES-II - Schedule Update:
   
   • Eight sites operational
     (Burbank, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Fontana, Pico Rivera, Anaheim,
     Rubidoux, and Huntington Park)
     
   • Platforms deployed at Compton and Wilmington, awaiting power hook-ups
     
   • AQMD Laboratory analyses for April samples completed; for May, nearing completion
     
   • Coordination meeting with ARB held on June 26, 1998

2. Microscale Study:
   
   
   
   • Sampling underway at Pacoima and Montclair
     
   • Platform deployed in Torrance, awaiting power hook-up
     
   • Next deployments in process of siting: Boyle Heights and Costa Mesa
     
   • Microscale inventory completed for Montclair; in-progress for Torrance

3. ATSTRG Actions
   
   
   
   • No meeting scheduled for July

4. Public Outreach
   
   
   
   • Torrance "community visit" held on July 8, 1998

Upcoming Items:

• Begin operation of final two MATES-II sites
  
• Compile monthly summaries of completed laboratory analyses with input from ARB
  
• Finalize microscale site locations at Costa Mesa and Boyle Heights
  
• Conduct microscale inventories for Costa Mesa and Boyle Heights
  
• Continue process for future microscale sites and inventories
  
• Next ATSTRG Meeting scheduled for August 19, 1998

The Governing Board will pursue a set of Initiatives at the local, state, and federal level to incentivize the early clean-up or removal of diesel engines in the Basin. Research indicates that low-income communities and communities of color experience disproportionate air quality impacts associated with diesel engine use.

Support funding incentives

• The Governor has placed a program similar to AB 1368 (Villaraigosa) into ARB's FY 1998-99 budget. As currently proposed, the Governor's plan does not include funding for infrastructure. The proponents of AB 1368 believe that infrastructure funding is critical to success of the program and will be meeting with the Governor's staff to discuss this issue.

• AB 2194 (Washington), the bill to re-authorize the AQMD Clean Fuels Program and extend its funding, passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 13, 1998. Previously expressed concerns by Senator Hayden at the Senate Transportation committee hearing on June 16, 1998 regarding program oversight were successfully addressed without amending the bill. The next step for AB 2194 is the Senate Floor.

Conduct Public Education and Outreach

• July 1, 1998 in Tustin: Leadership Cities Workshop held to exchange information on alternative fuel technologies availability and experiences. This meeting was cosponsored by the Orange County California League of Cities. The meeting was attended by approximately 130 participants.

Initiative: The AQMD staff will formulate a plan to use modern advances in technology for enhanced field inspection purposes to better detect pollution problems identified by the public and investigate ways to enhance AQMD’s field presence.

July Progress:

• Refine Testing and Analysis Technologies and
  
• Improve In-Field Enforcement Capability
  - The Board approved work plan to investigate the technical feasibility and cost of using detection and monitoring instrumentation for routine inspections continued to be implemented.
  
  
• State-of-the-Science Contract Study to Identify Advanced Inspection, Testing, and Analytical Technology
  
  - The Board at their July 10th meeting approved staff’s consultant recommendation.
  - The consultant contract was executed after Board approval.

  - The consultant work plan was submitted July 24, 1998 as required.

  
  
• Establish a Peer Review Group
  - On July 15, 1998, the Peer Review Group met with staff and the contractor, Pacific Environmental Services, Inc. to discuss their proposed work product as required by the contract.

August Goals:

• Refine Testing and Analysis Technologies and
  
• Improve In-Field Enforcement Capability
  
  - Work plans will continue to be implemented according to the Board-approved proposals.
  
  
• State-of-the-Science Contract Study to Identify Advanced Inspection, Testing, and Analytical Technology
  
  - Consultant’s work in progress. Four of the six tasks should be completed by August 24, 1998. Final consultant recommendations due September 11, 1998.
  
  
• Establish a Peer Review Group
  
  - No Peer Review Group activity scheduled for August. Staff to meet with the Peer Review Group in late September 1998 to discuss consultant’s recommendations.

Presented at the July 17, 1998 Technology Committee and the July 24, 1998 Stationary Source Committee.

Initiative: The Governing Board will re-open for public comment the toxics significant thresholds for cancer and non-cancer impacts contained in Rule 1402 - Control of Toxic Air Contaminants from Existing Sources, and consideration of adding additional compounds and non-carcinogenic impact prevention into Rule 1401 - New Source Review of Toxic Air Contaminants.

Status of Efforts: 

Rule 1401

• Amendments Adopted July 10
  
  - Added 114 compounds
  - Limited exemption for wood product stripping
  - 60-day effective date
  - 150 days for risk value additions or changes

• Issues
  - Nickel Plating
  
  
  • Emission factors - Ni, NaOH, and HCl
    
  • 90-day report to the Board
    
  • January 1999 Board Meeting

  - Motion Picture Film Processing
  

  • 100 meter cumulative risk
    
  • 90-day report to the Board

  - Monitor number and type of permit applications over 60 days from adoption to effective date

Rule 1402

• August Working Group Meeting
  
• Issues
  
  - MATES II findings
  - Relative contribution of sources
  - Risk Assessment methodologies
  - Cumulative risk

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