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REPORT:

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on October 16, 1998. Major items discussed included updates on the future of hydrogen and the Fischer-Tropsch Fuel study; Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the November Board meeting; presentations on completed Technology Advancement projects; reports on a schools clean fuels program opportunity notice and a VOC program opportunity notice; monthly reports on environmental justice initiatives 2, 7, 8, and 10, and a determination of the dates and times for the November and December Technology Committee meetings. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided, together with an attendance roster.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Receive and file this report.

Leonard Paulitz, Vice Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Present were Committee Vice Chair Leonard Paulitz and Committee Member Norma Glover (until 12:00 p.m.). Roy Wilson participated by video conference.

Technology Advancement Feature Presentations

The Future of Hydrogen - James Provenzano, Executive Vice President of Clean Air Now, gave a presentation on hydrogen, covering its global climate and health benefits, energy independence and efficiencies, and use as an enabling technology for renewables. He also briefly reviewed the XII World Hydrogen Energy Conference held June 21-15, 1998 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Update on Fischer-Tropsch Fuel Study - Michael J. Murphy of Battelle presented an interim briefing on the background of the Fischer-Tropsch process, an assessment of its emissions reduction potential, and a review of the project scope and tasks.

November Board Agenda Items

1. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Evaluation of Cetaner in Medium-Duty Engine and Vehicle - The Board has adopted a policy of encouraging the reduction of diesel engine emissions in the Basin to improve air quality and reduce health impact. Although low emission alternative fuel vehicles are becoming more commonplace, medium- and heavy-duty diesel vehicles tend to remain in service for many years. Retrofitting existing vehicles to alternative fuel is often not feasible. Laboratory testing of a liquid derivative of Dimethyl Ether (DME), a product called Cetaner, blended with diesel fuel resulted in a 40-80% reduction in NOx emissions. The proposed project will evaluate Cetaner to determine performance and emissions when used in a medium-duty engine. AQMD cost-share of this $531,976 project will not exceed $264,760. Less than a quorum was present; those committee members present communicated their concurrence.

2. Amend Contract to Cost-Share Evaluation of Alternative Specifications to Proposed ARB Standards for Motor Vehicle Grade Liquefied Petroleum Gas - At its January 1998 meeting, the Board approved entering into a cost-share project to evaluate engine performance and emissions for different formulations of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to determine a standard specification for motor vehicle grade LPG. The proposed amendment would add $19,000 to support the purchase of one test engine, which project sponsors originally thought would be donated. Total cost of the evaluation is approximately $500,000. AQMD cost will not exceed $119,000, including the proposed amendment. Less than a quorum was present; those committee members present communicated their concurrence.

3. Execute Contract to Cost-Share Demonstration of Dynamic Recirculation/Fluidized Bed Solvent Recovery From Spray Coating Operations - The cost to control VOC emissions from spray coating operations is related to the volume of airflow through the spray booth that must be handled by the pollution control equipment. The ARB has awarded a contract to demonstrate a dynamically optimized recirculation system coupled with a fluidized bed control system on a large spray coating operation. The innovative recirculation system minimizes airflow through the system without compromising worker protection while the control system allows for recovery of the exhausted solvent. ARB has requested AQMD cost sharing to complete the demonstration at a site in the Basin. The total cost of the proposed project is about $561,200 with AQMD cost-share not to exceed $50,000. Less than a quorum was present; those committee members present communicated their concurrence.

4. Issue RFP to Cost-Share Development and Demonstration of Zero- and Low-VOC Resin Technology for Advanced Control Measure Development - Coatings are a major source of VOC emissions in the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Emissions from architectural and industrial maintenance coatings account for over 49 tons per day of emissions. This action is to issue an RFP to solicit proposals to develop and demonstrate zero and low-VOC resin technology to reduce emissions from many of these coating categories. The total AQMD cost-share will not exceed $250,000. Less than a quorum was present; those committee members present communicated their concurrence.

5. Report on Completed Technology Advancement Projects

   Cindy Sullivan, Program Supervisor, Technology Advancement, presented a final reports on the Cosponsorship of Field Demonstration of Natural Gas Retrofit Kit for Heavy-Duty Engines and the Cosponsorship of Establishment of Methanol Fueling Facility at Yosemite National Park. Fred Minassian, Air Quality Specialist, Technology Advancement, presented a final report on the Cosponsorship of a Project to Evaluate Factors Affecting Diesel Exhaust Toxicity.

6. School Clean Fuels Program Opportunity Notice - Mike Nazemi, Manager Transportation Research and EVs, Technology Advancement, reviewed a Program Opportunity Notice (PON), indicating that this PON is proposed to solicit pre-proposals and proposals for clean-burning alternative fuels; on-road mobile source technologies; and off-road mobile source technologies, if ultimately applicable to on-road. It will also focus on research projects and clean fuels outreach projects.

7. VOC Program Opportunity Notice - Robert Pease, Air Quality Compliance Supervisor, Technology Advancement, indicated that the objective of this PON was to identify and develop emission reduction technologies for long-term control measures. Nine responses were received: 4 coating applications; 3 solvent replacements; and 2 others. As a result of the review of resources: (1) one respondent was asked to submit a full proposal for further evaluation, and (2) an RFP was developed to solicit the development and demonstration of zero VOC coating technologies.

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 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 - Jill Whynot, Planning and Rules Manager, Stationery 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.

9. Other Business - The meeting dates for the November and December Technology Committee have been determined as follows:

   November 20, 1998 at approximately 10:30 a.m.

   December 18, 1998, time to be determined.

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 - October 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.

September/Early October Actions:

1. MATES-II:

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

2. Microscale Study:

• Spring and summer sampling completed at Hawthorne and Pacoima
• Sampling completed at Montclair, Torrance, and Costa Mesa
• Sampling in progress at Boyle Heights and Corona
• Next deployments (Anaheim and Norwalk) in preparation phase

3. ATSTRG Actions from Meeting on September 16, 1998

• Provided suggestions on format of preliminary data summaries to public
• Provided additional comments on the draft modeling protocol document
• Received staff updates on technical progress

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 (Norwalk, Anaheim)
• Conduct Fall sampling at Hawthorne and Pacoima
• Next ATSTRG Meeting scheduled for October 21, 1998

Attachment B (Continued)

Site Status Report

MATES II

MICROSCALE STUDY

10/7/98

Attachment C

Environmental Justice Initiative No. 7 - Cleanup Incentives for Diesel

Monthly Status Report
September - October 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

• AB 1368 (Villaraigosa) and SB 1857 (Brulte) were vetoed by the Governor on September 27, 1998.
• Although AB 1368 and SB 1857 were vetoed, the heavy-duty vehicle incentive program is moving forward. The program funding of $25 million is in ARB's budget and is not tied to the legislation.
• On the November 3, 1998 ballot is Proposition 7 - Air Quality Improvement Tax Credits, put forth by the Planning and Conservation League. This proposition authorizes $218 million in state tax credits annually until January 2011 to encourage the acquisition, conversion, and retrofitting of vehicles and equipment. The ARB would administer these tax credits for various categories of projects that reduce air pollutant emissions, including buses and trucks.

Continue Statewide Coordination

• The Implementation Group of the Truck Working Group met October 13 at the AQMD to discuss schedule, logistics, and allocation methodologies of the heavy-duty vehicle incentive the program. Members of this group include ARB, CEC, and the Sacramento, Bay Area, San Joaquin, Ventura, Santa Barbara and South Coast air districts. ARB will hold a workshop on the proposed program criteria November 12, 1998 in El Monte.

Coordinate with Transit Districts

• The Governing Board reaffirmed its opposition to diesel fueled engines in new buses planning to be procured by the LACMTA and other Basin transits, instead encouraging the purchase and use of cleaner alternative fuel buses in transit and other fleets. AQMD staff will be meeting with LACMTA officials to follow through on this AQMD position.
• AQMD staff will be 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.

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

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.

October 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.

- A September 27^th to 30^th Olfaction Symposium was attended to determine if there was technology available to assist with odor complaints. Currently, "electronic nose" operation has not reached a usable level of development.

• State-of-the-Science Contract Study to Identify Advanced Inspection, Testing, and Analytical Technology

- The consultant’s recommendations were submitted October 7, 1998.

• Establish a Peer Review Group

- A Peer Review Group meeting took place October 20^th to discuss the consultant’s recommendations.

November 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

- Final consultant recommendation review finalized.

• Establish a Peer Review Group

- Staff to continue to meet with the Peer Review Group to formulate the December 1998 report to the Governing Board.

Presented at the October 16, 1998 Technology Committee and the October 23, 1998 Stationary Source Committee.

Attachment E

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

Status Report
October 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:

October Board meeting – Board received and filed report on:

• Progress report on source tests for metal plating operations
• Impact assessment on film processing laboratories
• Updated risk factors
  

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 September 24
• Next Working Group Meeting October 29
  – update on 2 EPA toxic programs
  – status report on AB2588
  – threshold in Rule 1402
  – possible mechanisms for cumulative impacts

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