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BOARD MEETING DATE: September 11, 1998 AGENDA NO. 33

REPORT:

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on August 28, 1998. Major items discussed included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the September Board meeting; presentations on completed Technology Advancement projects; updates on Rule 1610 and on 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 September 25, 1998 at 10:30 a.m. at the offices of Sunline Transit, 32-505 Harry Oliver Trail, Thousand Palms, California.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Receive and file this report.

Leonard Paulitz, Vice Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Present were Committee Vice Chair Leonard Paulitz and Committee member Roy Wilson who participated by video conference.

1. Issue RFP to Provide Outreach Assistance to Basin Cities Regarding Low-Emission, Clean Fuel Vehicle Technologies - According to the AQMP, on-road mobile sources account for 60 percent of the Basin’s emissions inventory. The Clean Fuels Program supports programs to develop and demonstrate low-emission clean fuels technologies to commercialization. This action is to issue an RFP to solicit proposals for assistance in providing information to Basin communities on the status of low-emission, clean fuel vehicle technologies. Total cost to the AQMD will not exceed $100,000. Less than three Committee members were present. However, the remaining Board Members noted their approval of staff’s recommendation.
2. Recognize Revenue from EPA and Execute Contract to Establish Electric Vehicle Loan Program for Government Agencies - At its April 1998 meeting, the Board approved execution of a contract with the ARB to implement an electric vehicle (EV) loan program for state and local government agencies. Since then, EPA has made $250,000 available to the AQMD through the 105 Grant process. ARB has requested to extend the loan program to three years by reducing the number of vehicles and using the additional funds provided by the EPA. ARB will provide $294,000, and the Department of General Services, $16,000. The AQMD will provide $80,000 and will pass through the EPA funds to the ARB. Less than three Committee members were present. However, the remaining Board Members noted their approval of staff’s recommendation.
3. Amend Contract with IMPCO Technologies to Develop and Demonstrate Low-Emission Alternative Fuel Commercial Lawn and Garden Equipment - At its June 1997 meeting the Board approved a contract with IMPCO Technologies to develop and demonstrate low-emission alternative fuel commercial lawn and garden equipment. This action followed a competitive solicitation. In 1998, ARB amended its small engine regulations to include emissions durability requirements in 2000 and subsequent model years. A contract amendment to expand the current project to include engine durability testing is proposed to demonstrate compliance with the ARB regulations currently in effect. IMPCO Technologies will provide $65,300 for this $165,300 additional effort. The added cost to the AQMD will not exceed $100,000. Less than three Committee members were present. However, the remaining Board Members noted their approval of staff’s recommendation.
4. Execute Contract to Demonstrate Fast Charging of Electric Forklifts - Edison EV has applied fast charging technology to re-power electric forklifts. Successful commercialization of this technology will enable forklift operators to replace many of their internal combustion engines with batteries. Through this project, the viability and benefits of fast charging in forklifts and other applications will be demonstrated. Total project cost is $187,200. AQMD’s contribution shall not exceed $60,000. The remaining balance will be confunded with $94,200 from Edison EV, and $33,000 from the forklift operators. Less than three Committee members were present. However, the remaining Board Members noted their approval of staff’s recommendation.
5. Execute Contracts to Develop and Demonstrate Two Distinct Hydrogen Reforming and Fuel Processor Systems - Major automakers, including Ford and Daimler Benz, have announced their intention to develop fuel cell vehicles in fairly large numbers before the end of the decade. Hydrogen, either stored directly or generated onboard, has been identified as among the leading fuels to power these vehicles. In response to a competitive solicitation, RFP 9798-35 issued in March 1998, Energy and Environmental Research Corporation (EERC) and Hydrogen Burner Technology (HBT) Inc., have been selected to develop and demonstrate two distinct hydrogen reforming technologies. The AQMD cost to fund these two projects, and to conduct independent testing, shall not exceed $500,000. Less than three Committee members were present. However, the remaining Board Members noted their approval of staff’s recommendation.
6. Execute Contract to Cost-Share Pilot Health Study to Evaluate Health Impacts of Multiple Toxic Air Pollutants in a Community - To address an Environmental Justice Initiative, AQMD initiated additional monitoring efforts to establish baseline risk levels in different areas of the Basin, and to identify areas which may have higher risks due to cumulative health impacts from nearby sources. A pilot health study is proposed to characterize personal exposures to toxics, and to evaluate adverse health effects in two sensitive population subgroups living close to a toxics monitoring site: (1) school children suffering from asthma; and (2) school children suffering from migraine. Results will determine the type and scale of studies required to evaluate cumulative health risk concerns in affected communities. For this $329,069 project, AQMD and ARB will contribute $164,427 and $164,642 respectively. Less than three Committee members were present. However, the remaining Board Members noted their approval of staff’s recommendation.
7. Report on Completed Technology Advancement Projects

   Mike Bogdanoff, Program Supervisor, Technology Advancement, presented a final report on the Cosponsorship of Assessment for Electric Vehicle Lightweight Materials Costs.

   Ranji George, Program Supervisor, Technology Advancement, presented a final report on the Cosponsorship of Demonstration of AirJacket Technology for Use in spray Booths.

8. Rule 1610 - Laki Tisopulos, Manager Planning, Transportation and Information Management, presented an update on Rule 1610 revisions. The Committee and members of the public discussed various aspects of the rule, focusing on the percentage of cars to be set aside for parts recycling and discount credits for EPA approvability. Vice Chair Leonard Paulitz instructed that these issues should be addressed in a workshop attended by interested members of the public, industry, EPA and the AQMD.
9. TAO Clean Fuels Program Reauthorization - Lupe Valdez, Deputy Executive Officer Public Affairs and Local Government Assistance, indicated that AB 2194, the bill to reauthorize funding for Technology Advancement, had been vetoed by the Governor’s office. She noted that the Legislative Office had done a very good job in obtaining support for AB 2194, and a substantive information package had been sent to the Governor. The Committee directed staff to agendize a future discussion item to determine what will be done during the period of time in which the AQMD would not receive this funding.
10. Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives

    Vice Chair Leonard Paulitz asked if there was any interest in hearing detailed monthly reports on the Environmental Justice Initiatives and, hearing none, indicated that these items need not be presented this month due to a lack of time. However, handouts on Initiatives 2, 7, 8 and 10 had been distributed to Committee members and were available to the public in attendance at this meeting.

    These monthly reports are attached hereto as Attachments B, C, D and E.

11. Other Business - Supervisor Roy Wilson invited the Committee to have their September meeting at Sunline Transit in Thousand Palms. He suggested a tour of the facilities, showcasing their fleet of natural gas buses.
12. 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 - August 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.

July/Early August Actions:

1. MATES-II - Schedule Update:
   • All 10 MATES-II Sites are operational (Burbank, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Fontana, Pico Rivera, Anaheim, Rubidoux, Huntington Park, Compton, and Wilmington)
     
   • Most laboratory analyses for April and May samples completed
     
   • Coordination meeting with ARB held on August 5, 1998
     
   • Draft modeling protocol document completed
     
   • Progress report completed
2. Microscale Study:
   • 
     
   • Spring and summer sampling completed at Hawthorne; nearing completion at Pacoima
     
   • Sampling completed at Montclair
     
   • Sampling in-progress at Torrance and Costa Mesa
     
   • Next deployments in process of siting
     
   • Microscale inventory process continuing
3. ATSTRG Actions from Meeting on August 19, 1998
   • 
     
   • Provided guidance on alternative microscale site selections
     
   • Provided suggestions on future compilations of data summaries
     
   • Suggested expanded approach for microscale inventories
     
   • Provided suggestions on improving modeling protocol document
     
   • New modeling sub-group to be formed

Upcoming Items:

• 
  
• Continue operating MATES-II and microscale sites
  
• Compile updated monthly summaries of completed laboratory analyses with input from ARB
  
• Finalize next set of microscale site locations:

  (Boyle Heights, Norwalk, Corona, Anaheim)
  

• Modify microscale inventory process per ATSTRG recommendations
  
• Establish modeling sub-group
  
• Next ATSTRG Meeting scheduled for September 16, 1998

Attachment C

Environmental Justice Initiative No. 7 - Cleanup Incentives for Diesel

Monthly Status Report
July - August 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), having passed both the Assembly (74 Ayes / 0 Noes) and the Senate (35 Ayes / 1 Noes), went to the Governor for signature on August 17, 1998. The co-joined bill, SB 1857 (Brulte), passed the Senate (36 Ayes / 0 Noes) and has passed both Assembly Transportation (19 Ayes / 0 Noes) and Appropriations (21 Ayes / 0 Noes).
• AB 2194 (Washington), the bill to re-authorize the AQMD Clean Fuels Program and extend its funding, was vetoed by the Governor on August 16, 1998, after having passed both the Assembly (51 Ayes / 23 Noes) and the Senate ( 21 Ayes / 8 Noes).

Promote Technology Advancement

• A tugboat, operating in the Port of Los Angeles, retrofit with a new low emission diesel engine was unveiled at a press event on August 7, 1998. This tugboat retrofit was a demonstration project cosponsored by the AQMD, U.S. EPA, Port of Los Angeles, Valley Detroit Diesel, and Connolly-Pacific. Performance of the new engine results in 69% reduction in NO_x, 94% reduction in CO, and 22% increase in fuel efficiency.

Coordinate with Transit Districts

• On August 20, 1998, AQMD staff participated in an information workshop for the Board of Foothill Transit. Information was presented to the Board on alternative fuel buses for consideration for their upcoming bus procurement.

Coordinate with MSRC and Local Government

• Awards for support of heavy-duty alternative fuel vehicles were approved at the August 14, 1998 Board meeting. This includes awards to Safeway/Vons, Ralphs, and American Stores (Lucky) for over 100 natural gas trucks.

Attachment D

Environmental Justice Initiative #8
Field Inspection Technology

Monthly Status Report
August 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.

August 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 consultant’s work plan was submitted July 24, 1998 as required. Comments were returned to the consultant by July 31, 1998.
  - The consultant submitted a revised work plan on August 5, 1998. The work plan received approval on August 7, 1998.

• Establish a Peer Review Group

  - No Peer Review Group activities were scheduled for August.

September 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. Final consultant recommendations due September 11, 1998.

• Establish a Peer Review Group

  - Staff to meet with the Peer Review Group in late September 1998 to discuss consultant’s recommendations.

Presented at the August 28, 1998 Stationary Source Committee and the August 28, 1998 Technology Committee.

Attachment E

Environmental Justice Initiative #10

Public Comment, Rules 1401 and 1402

August 1998 - Status Report

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 Carcinogenic Air Contaminants.

Status of Efforts:

Amendments to Rule 1401 - July 10:

• Added compounds and non-cancer impacts

Hearing Continued for Consideration of Adding:

• Additional nickel compounds
  
• Sodium hydroxide
  
•  
• Hydrochloric acid

October Board Report:

• Progress report on source tests
  
• Report on 100m cumulative requirement - motion picture film labs

January 1999:

• Add compounds
  
• Changes to cancer factors

Next Steps:

• Key Issues - Rule 1402:
  

  - Relative contribution of sources (MATES II)
  - Risk thresholds in Rule 1402
  - Cumulative impact

• Working Group meeting September

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