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BOARD MEETING DATE: April 9, 1999 AGENDA NO. 29

REPORT:

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on March 26, 1999. Major items discussed included an overview of Monitoring and Analysis; Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the April Board meeting; an update on TAO reauthorization bills AB 38 and SB 98; presentations on completed Technology Advancement projects; and monthly reports on Environmental Justice Initiatives 2, 7, 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 April 16, 1999 at 11:30 a.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Receive and file this report.

Hal Bernson, Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Board Member Hal Bernson chaired the meeting from Los Angeles by video-teleconference. Other Committee members present at the AQMD headquarters were Committee Vice Chair Leonard Paulitz, Norma Glover, and Jon Mikels.

Technology Advancement Feature Presentation

1. Overview of Monitoring and Analysis - John Higuchi, Source Testing and Monitoring Manager, and Rudy Eden, Senior Enforcement Manager, both of Science & Technology Advancement, presented an overview of monitoring and source testing engineering, and laboratory services and special programs, including a look at the various equipment used in these efforts.

April Board Agenda Items

2. Issue an RFP to Solicit Projects for Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program Funding - AQMD has submitted a request to ARB for up to $12,000,000 from the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program (Carl Moyer Program). This RFP complies with ARB program guidelines and funding criteria for low-emission on- and off-road vehicles and equipment, including marine and agricultural equipment. This action is to issue an RFP for projects to utilize up to $12 million from the Carl Moyer Program.

   Chair Hal Bernson asked for clarification on the difference in RFP submittal schedules for on-road clean fuel vehicles and transits. Mr. Bernson indicated that most truck fleets are from the private sector, and that transits are more from the public sector. He inquired if some preference should be given to public agencies. Staff responded that MSRC funding emphasizes transits and other on-road sectors, including the trucking industry. In the past, truck fleets have not been provided with as many incentives as transit buses, and the use of Carl Moyer funds would provide such an incentive.

   Vice Chair Leonard Paulitz asked about coordination efforts between the District and the MSRC. Staff replied that coordination was taking place through the Carl Moyer Working Group whose membership includes both MSRC and AQMD staff as well as representatives from the transit, trucking and building industries, the ARB, CEC and the Clean Air Coalition. It was also indicated that applications could not be made to both funding sources.

   Moved (Paulitz), seconded (Mikels) and unanimously recommended for approval.

3. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Evaluation of Methanol Fuel Quality Specifications for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells - Numerous major auto manufacturers are developing proton exchange membrane fuel cell vehicles with on-board methanol reformers. One of the key issues for this technology is to ensure that fuel specifications are appropriate. dbb Fuel Cell Engine Corp., in conjunction with Ford and the American Methanol Institute, has proposed an evaluation of methanol fuel quality, including analysis of the fuel additives and materials present in the fuel supply infrastructure, the sensitivity of fuel cell and reformer catalysts to additives and other impurities, and potential alternatives for a commercial grade methanol fuel specification. Total project cost is $465,000. Total AQMD funding shall not exceed $205,000. Moved (Mikels), seconded (Paulitz), abstained (Bernson and Glover). There being fewer than three affirmative votes, Committee Members Mikels and Paulitz communicated their concurrence with staff's recommendation.

4. Award Contracts in Response to Learning Institute Program Opportunity Notice - Historically, Technology Advancement funding has been made available to educational institutions (community colleges, colleges, and universities) for projects to develop and demonstrate clean alternative fuel applications for on- and off-road vehicles. In response to a Program Opportunity Notice 9899-A issued in October 1998, six proposals were selected for funding. The AQMD cost to fund the six selected research projects shall not exceed $757,800. Moved (Paulitz), seconded (Mikels) and unanimously recommended for approval.

   Regarding Phase 2 of a project to evaluate the effects of clean fuel blends on exhaust emission rates and reactivity, Dr. Robert Zweig asked what fuels would be tested. Dr. Tom Durbin of CE-CERT responded that the fuel matrix had not been finalized, but a broad range of fuels would be tested.

5. Execute Contract to Co-sponsor Development and Demonstration of 250 kW Hybrid Pressurized Solid Oxide Fuel Cell-Micro Turbine Power-Plant - Distributed generation of electricity is expected to play an increasing role in supplying electricity demands in California's deregulated energy marketplace. This deregulated marketplace will demand high-efficiency, low-emission, cost-competitive generation technologies. An advanced power generation technology that integrates an advanced solid oxide fuel cell with a micro-turbine is being developed to meet these demands. Edison Technology Solutions (ETS), in conjunction with Siemens Westinghouse and the University of California Irvine National Fuel Cell Research Center, has proposed the demonstration of a 250-kW hybrid fuel cell-micro turbine capable of over 55% efficiency and negligible emissions. Total cost of this project is $16.2 million; AQMD cost-share will not exceed $200,000. Moved (Paulitz), seconded (Glover) and unanimously recommended for approval.

6. Execute Contracts to Cosponsor School Clean Fuels Outreach Projects - In October 1998, the AQMD released Program Opportunity Notice (PON) #9899-A, entitled, School Clean Fuels Projects, to solicit proposals from academic institutions for projects to develop and demonstrate clean alternative fuel applications for on- and off-road vehicles. A portion of PON funding has been allocated for clean fuels outreach projects, such as co-sponsorship of specific events, student competitions, and other outreach efforts. Staff proposes to cosponsor additional projects under the PON, for which total costs are approximately $236,300. AQMD cost-share will not exceed $67,479. Moved (Glover), seconded (Mikels) and unanimously recommended for approval.

Updates

7. TAO Reauthorization Bills AB 38 and SB 98 - Chung Liu, Deputy Executive Officer of Science and Technology Advancement, indicated that SB 98 passed the Senate Transportation Committee on March 16, 1999 (8 yes, 1 no, 3 did not vote). AB 38 passed the Assembly Transportation Committee on March 22, 1999 (11 yes, 5 no, 3 did not vote). Dr. Liu handed out a listing of members of both the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees and asked for continued support from Governing Board Members. Norma Glover indicated that a lot of work is still needed to get the two-thirds vote.

8. Reports on Completed Technology Advancement Projects
   Chris Abe of Science and Technology Advancement presented final reports on projects for Air Quality Modeling Evaluation of the "Cool Communities" Ozone Control Strategy, and Estimation of the Effects of an Ozone Control Strategy Focusing on Air Conditioning-Bound Catalysts for Ozone Scrubbing.

9. Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives 2, 7 and 10
   Committee Members received these monthly status reports previously and copies were available for the public at the meeting. These updates were not verbally presented. Copies of these reports are attached hereto as Attachments B, C and D.
   
   Chair Hal Bernson and Vice Chair Leonard Paulitz left the meeting at this time and Committee Member Norma Glover conducted the remainder of the meeting.

10. Other Business - There was no other business.

11. Public Comment Period - No public comment.
    
    The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 p.m.

Attachments

Attachment A - Attendance
Attachment B - Environmental Initiative # 2 Status Report
Attachment C - Environmental Initiative # 7 Status Report
Attachment D - 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 - March 1999

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.

February/Early March Actions:

1. MATES-II:
• All 10 MATES-II Sites continuing to operate
• Most laboratory analyses completed for samples collected through December 1998

2. Microscale Study:
   • Sampling completed at Montclair, Torrance, Costa Mesa, Boyle Heights, Corona, Norwalk, Anaheim, Van Nuys, Hawthorne, and Pacoima
   • Sampling in progress at San Pedro and Riverside
   • Final deployments in preparation phase (Rialto and South El Monte) 

3. ATSTRG meeting held February 17, 1999
   • Key discussion topic: Summary and presentation of preliminary data
   • Received presentations on:
     4. Development of methodology to determine diesel component of elemental carbon
     5. Field program status and milestone report
     6. Toxics emission inventory recap and status report

Upcoming Items:

• Conclude MATES-II sampling at end of March
• Complete remainder of Microscale sampling program
• Continue to compile updated monthly summaries of completed laboratory analyses with input from ARB
• Continue to process completed emissions inventory surveys and compile data.
• Complete growth and emission control factor development
• Apply growth and control factors to the draft point source emissions inventory
• Next ATSTRG Meeting scheduled for April 21, 1999

Attachment B (Continued)

Site Status Report

MATES II

MICROSCALE STUDY

Attachment C

Environmental Justice Initiative No. 7 - Cleanup Incentives for Diesel

Monthly Status Report
February - March 1999

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 approved Moyer Program guidelines, including allocation of funding to air districts. The AQMD was allocated $11,273,020.
• AQMD Governing Board approved an implementation plan and proposal for the South Coast Air Basin at its March 12, 1999 meeting. Proposals from air districts are due to the ARB April 1, 1999.
• AQMD staff has established a working group, comprised of key stakeholders, to review and provide input to the AQMD's Moyer Program. This working group met March 16, 1999 to review a proposed RFP and implementation plans for the AQMD.
• AB 1571, authored by Villaraigosa and Senator Brulte, was introduced to continue the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Standards Attainment Program and put it into state law.
• Bills to reauthorize and extend the AQMD Clean Fuels Program were introduced in both the State Senate and Assembly in December 1998. SB 98 was introduced by Richard Alarcon and AB 38 was introduced by Carl Washington. SB 98 was heard in Senate Transportation Committee on March 16, 1999 and passed (8 Ayes / 1 No) with amendments to increase formal oversight of the program.

Coordinate with Transit Districts

• AQMD staff continued discussions with LACMTA staff regarding continuing its Alternative Fuel Initiative in future bus procurements. On March 8, 1999, the court-appointed special master ordered the LACMTA to buy 532 additional new natural gas buses to help alleviate chronic over-crowding of its bus system.

Coordination with MSRC and Local Government

• The AQMD Governing Board approved the heavy-duty vehicle work program of approximately $10 million at its March 12, 1999 meeting. The program will include funding for transit buses and on- and off-road vehicles.

Conduct Public Education and Outreach

• AQMD staff has initiated development of a program to educate local school boards regarding future procurement of clean fuel school buses, as outlined in the recently adopted Children's Initiatives (specifically Initiative 4B). The program will include information on available clean fuel buses, emission benefits, financial incentive programs available to off-set incremental costs of clean fuel buses, and operating and maintenance requirements/experience with alternative fuel buses.

Attachment D

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

Status Report
March 1999

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
  - Added new carcinogens, sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid
  - 2 items continued until February:
  • changes to effective dates for some compounds; and
  • carcinogenicity of nickel compounds
• February Board meeting
  - public hearing closed
  - deliberations continued to March meeting
• March Board meeting
  - Board adopted staff proposal
• Cumulative Impacts – Rule 1402
  - Working group meeting January 28, 1999
  - Coordinating with MATES II
  - General principles developed
  - Proposals being developed
  - Rule changes anticipated in summer/fall

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