REPORT:

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on November 20, 1998. Major items discussed included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the November Board meeting; monthly reports on environmental justice initiatives 2, 7, 8, and 10, and a determination of the date and time for the December Technology Committee meeting. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided, together with an attendance roster.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Receive and file this report.

William A. Burke, Ed.D., Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Present were Committee Chair William Burke, who participated by videoteleconference, Vice Chair Leonard Paulitz, and Committee Members Norma Glover, Paul Woodruff, Jon Mikels (arrived at 11:15 a.m. and did not vote on agenda items) and Roy Wilson, who also participated by videoteleconference.

December Board Agenda Items

1. Adopt Update of Technology Advancement Plan for Clean Fuels Program - The proposed update to the Technology Advancement Plan for the AQMD’s Clean Fuels Program outlines planned project expenditures for 1998-99 in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 40448.5.1. This legislation requires that research, development, and demonstration projects for vehicle applications within the AQMD’s Clean Fuels Program do not duplicate the efforts of specified organizations. Based on communications with these organizations, staff has determined that the proposed projects are not duplicative. The Plan will be updated periodically to reflect new developments. Moved (Paulitz), seconded (Wilson) and unanimously recommended for approval.

2. Execute Contracts with College of Engineering – Center for Environmental Research and Technology - Since 1991, CE-CERT has facilitated the transfer of air pollution control technologies from research and development to commercial implementation. Staff proposes to execute contracts with CE-CERT to perform the following: (1) develop and evaluate the Hynol Process for renewable production of vehicle fuel; (2) provide research assistance in expanding Rule 1138, to include underfired charbroiled cooking operations; (3) conduct the 1999 World Truck Conference; (4) conduct the 1999 SAE Future Transportation Technology Conference. Total cost for the proposed projects shall not exceed $140,000. Moved (Paulitz), seconded (Woodruff) and recommended for approval, with Committee Member Glover opposed.

8. . Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives

Initiative #2 - Rudy Eden, Director of Monitoring and Analysis, 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 - Dave Schwien, Senior Air Quality Engineering Manager, Stationary Source Compliance, presented recommendations for Environmental Justice Initiative #8, Advanced Field Inspection Technology. These recommendations were handed out and are attached hereto as Attachment D. The Committee reviewed the information presented and unanimously noted their approval of the recommendations.

Initiative #10 - As the time allotted for this Committee meeting was drawing to a close, Chairman Burke indicated that all Committee members had received the Environmental Justice Initiatives for review and asked if there were any questions or comments. Hearing none, this update was not verbally presented. The monthly status report was handed out and is attached hereto as Attachment E.

9. Other Business - The meeting time and date for the December Technology Committee has been determined as follows:
       December 17, 1998, at 11:30 a.m.

10. Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.

Attachments
Attachment A - Attendance
Attachment B - Environmental Initiative # 2 Status Report
Attachment C - Environmental Initiative # 7 Status Report
Attachment D - Environmental Initiative # 8 Status Report
Attachment E - Environmental Initiative #10 Status Report

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Attachment A - Attendance

Attachment B
Environmental Justice Initiative No. 2 - MATES-II and Microscale Study
Status Report - November 1998

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.

October/Early November Actions:

1. MATES-II:

• All 10 MATES-II Sites continuing to operate
• Most laboratory analyses completed for samples collected through July
• Some analyses completed through September

2. Microscale Study:

• Fall seasonal sampling in progress at Hawthorne and Pacoima
• Sampling completed at Montclair, Torrance, Costa Mesa, and Boyle Heights
• Sampling in progress at Corona and Norwalk
• Next deployments in preparation phase

3. ATSTRG Actions from Meeting on October 21, 1998

• Received status reports on monitoring, emissions inventory and Rules 1401/1402
• Provided additional comments on data summaries

Upcoming Items:

• Continue operating MATES-II and microscale sites
• Compile updated monthly summaries of completed laboratory analyses with input from ARB
• Complete preparations for next set of microscale site locations
  (Anaheim; Van Nuys)
• Conclude Fall sampling at Hawthorne and Pacoima
• Next ATSTRG Meeting scheduled for December 9, 1998

Attachment B (Continued)

Site Status Report

MATES II

MICROSCALE STUDY

Attachment C

Environmental Justice Initiative No. 7 - Cleanup Incentives for Diesel

Monthly Status Report
October - November 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 heavy-duty vehicle incentive program, known as the Carl Moyer Air Quality Incentive Program, is moving forward. The program funding of $25 million is in ARB's budget. ARB held a workshop on the proposed program criteria November 12, 1998 in El Monte and will be holding another workshop in Sacramento on December 16, 1998.
• Ballot Proposition 7 - Air Quality Improvement Tax Credits, put forth by the Planning and Conservation League, failed in the November 3, 1998 election. This proposition would have authorized $218 million in state tax credits annually until January 2011 to encourage the acquisition, conversion, and retrofitting of vehicles and equipment.

Continue Statewide Coordination

• The Implementation Team of the Ad Hoc Truck Working Group will meet December 2, 1998 in Sacramento to further discuss air district coordination in implementing the Carl Moyer Incentive program, and how the program might be enhanced in the coming legislative session. The districts are also discussing coordination of outreach efforts associated with the program.

Coordinate with Transit Districts

• AQMD staff have been meeting with Foothill Transit board members to educate them on alternative fuel bus availability and experiences by other transits. The objective of these meetings is to encourage Foothill Transit to purchase and use cleaner alternative fuel buses in their next procurement. Discussions thus far have not been very fruitful, with Foothill Transit expressing concerns with perceived cost differential between purchase and operation of natural gas and diesel buses

Coordination with MSRC and Local Government

• The Heavy-Duty Vehicle Subcommittee of the MSRC/TAC has recommended a heavy-duty vehicle work program of approximately $10 million. The program will include funding for transit buses and on- and off-road vehicles. The transit program will include funding for purchase of buses, fueling facilities and training. The subcommittee is also requesting $50,000 to initiate an outreach effort for the program, and up to $500,000 for support before and during the vehicle purchase and implementation process. The TAC approved the program in concept at its November 5 meeting. The program will be on the December 10, 1998 MSRC agenda.

Conduct Public Education and Outreach

• November 18, 1998: CNG-LNG Safety Workshop at AQMD Headquarters.
• November 20, 1998: Fuel Cell Reformer Conference at AQMD Headquarters.

Attachment D

Environmental Justice Initiative #8
Field Inspection Technology

Monthly Status Report

October 1998

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE NO. 8

FIELD INSPECTION TECHNOLOGY

BACKGROUND

• Sept ’97 – EJ Initiatives Introduced
• Oct. ’97 - EJ Initiatives Approved
• Dec. ’97 - EJ Initiative Workplans Approved
• Feb. ’98 - EJ#8 RFP Approved
• June ’98 – EJ#8 Contractor Approved
• Oct. ’98 - EJ#8 Consultant’s Report Received
  

CONSULTANT’S RECOMMENDATIONS
AND STAFF ANALYSIS

• Compliance Inspections and Less Difficult Complaints
• Complex Complaints and Special Studies
• Emergency Response
  

Attachment D (Continued)

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE NO. 8

FIELD INSPECTION TECHNOLOGY

(CONTINUED)

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Enhance Inspector's Field Sampling Capabilities
  - provide evacuated canisters
  - provide additional sorbent tubes
  - develop inspector sampling manual
  - provide inspector sampling protocol training
  
• Initiate TAO Projects to Further Enhance Field Inspection Technology
  - expand use of occupational air sampling/air monitoring devices
  - develop ambient air sampling capability of "artificial nose" technology
  
• Field Test a Portable GC/MS System

• Expand Data Access
  - expand inspectors access to AQMD databases
  - complete computer mapping project
  - provide expanded number of CAAS systems
  

Attachment E

Environmental Justice Initiative #10
Public Comment, Rules 1401 and 1402

Status Report
November 1998

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:

January Board Meeting

• Consider adding compounds related to nickel plating
• Additional carcinogens identified by OEHHA
• Public Workshop October 7

Further Efforts on EJ Initiative #10

• Working Group Meeting October 29
  – update on EPA toxic program
  – status report on AB2588
  – threshold in Rule 1402
  – possible mechanisms for cumulative impacts

• Next meeting – December
  – principles
  – presentation on MATES modeling
  – input from industry

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