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REPORT:

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on July 16, 1999. Major items discussed included a presentation on ARB's gasoline formulation predictive model; Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the August Board meeting; an update on a program opportunity notice for Technology Advancement; a brief review of a completed Technology Advancement project; and written only 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 August 27, 1999 at 11:30 a.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Receive and file.

Hal Bernson, Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Present were Committee Vice Chair Leonard Paulitz and Committee Members Norma Glover and Jon Mikels. Committee Chair Hal Bernson and Committee Members William Burke and Roy Wilson participated by video-teleconference.

Technology Advancement Feature Presentations

1. ARB Gasoline Formulation Predictive Model - Steve Brisby of the California Air Resources Board explained the predictive model which is used for fuel certification for the majority of gasoline produced. It is a statistical model that determines the equivalency of gasolines with various compositions to the standard fuel. When properly applied, this model increases the gasoline producer's flexibility, reduces compliance costs and improves production capabilities.

August Board Agenda Items

2. Execute Contracts for On-Road Clean Fuel Projects Awarded Under Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program - On April 9, 1999, the Board approved the release of RFP #9899-28 to implement the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program. This RFP solicited proposals for low-emission on- and off-road vehicles and equipment, including marine, construction and agricultural equipment. $5 million was allocated for on-road clean fuel trucks. Proposal submissions for on-road clean fuel truck projects have been reviewed and staff proposes to award contracts under this program to fund the differential cost of 104 natural gas refuse trucks for four different projects at a total funding of $4,996,034. Moved (Glover), seconded( Burke) and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   Mr. James Harger, of Pickens Fuel Corporation, inquired if those proposals which did not receive funding in the initial award could be given first priority in Phase II of the funding process. Ms. Sullivan indicated that this was under consideration.

3. Recognize and Appropriate Funds from ARB and Execute Contract to Cost-Share Demonstration of Electric Vehicle Rental Program - On February 12, 1999, the Board approved execution of a contract with EV Rental Cars for the demonstration of an electric vehicle rental program using Clean Fuels Program funds in the FY 1998-99 budget. Cost-sharing from ARB is to be passed through the AQMD, requiring execution of a contract between the two agencies. The required contracts were not fully executed prior to the end of FY 1998-99 due to procedural delays. This action will allow the contracts to be fully executed. Total project cost is $552,000 in funds and $623,755 in-kind. AQMD’s contribution shall not exceed $200,000. ARB’s contribution will be $100,000 in funds to be passed through the AQMD, and $100,000 in-kind. Moved (Glover), seconded (Paulitz), abstained (Burke) and recommended for approval.

Updates

4. Program Opportunity Notice for Technology Advancement - Andy Abele, of Science & Technology Advancement, reviewed the Program Opportunity Notice (PON) open solicitation process and its emphasis on Clean Fuel Program priorities. PON #9900-A will be issued shortly, with a closing date of October 29, 1999. The technical areas to be addressed are: fuel cells for transportation applications; diesel alternatives; electric and hybrid electric technologies; and off-road applications of alternative fuels.

5. Reports on Completed Technology Advancement Projects
   
   Fred Minassian, of Science and Technology Advancement, presented a final report on an assessment for evaluation of the effects of alternative diesel fuel formulations on exhaust emission rates and reactivity.
   
   Committee Member Leonard Paulitz asked what specifically had been learned from this project. It was indicated that although the number of vehicles tested was small, it was found that particulate matter increased, while NOx emissions remained similar to that of California diesel.

5. 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. Chairman Bernson asked if Committee Members or members of the public wanted these verbally presented and, hearing no requests, the reports were filed. Copies of these reports are attached hereto as Attachments B, C and D.

7. Other Business - Committee Member Jon Mikels asked staff to research what AMOCO and its partners are doing regarding any adverse health effects of DME.

8. Public Comment Period - Public comment has been included under individual agenda items.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:55 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 - July 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.

June/Early July Actions:

1. MATES-II and Microscale Study:
• All sampling completed
• Laboratory analyses completed except for PAH’s
• Draft report outline prepared
• Emission inventory updates in progress
• Microscale inventory nearing completion
• Continuing dispersion model testing

2. ATSTRG Meeting Held June 8, 1999
• Updates and discussions on the following key topics:
• Microscale and area-wide inventories
• Statistical analyses of final data base
• Analysis of ARB’s historical toxic data base

Upcoming Items:

• Complete laboratory analyses.
• Conduct statistical analyses of data
• Complete emission inventory updating process
• Begin initial dispersion model runs
• Complete draft outline of final report
• Next ATSTRG Meeting scheduled for July 21, 1999

Attachment C

Environmental Justice Initiative No. 7 - Cleanup Incentives for Diesel

Monthly Status Report

June - July 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 AQMD Moyer Program began accepting proposals May 7, 1999 in response to the RFP released on April 9, 1999. The RFP closed July 1, 1999.
• A total of 51 proposals for a total of 848 vehicles have been received by the AQMD. The proposals total $52.3 million. Proposals are currently being evaluated for completeness, compliance with RFP criteria, and consistency with available funding allocations for on-road and off-road applications.
• AB 1571, authored by Villaraigosa and Senator Brulte, was introduced to continue the Moyer Program and put it into state law. It has successfully passed through the Assembly and has been assigned to the Senate Transportation committee.

Promote Technology Advancement

• In conjunction with the ARB, the AQMD has scheduled meetings with senior management of GM, Ford, and DDC in Detroit and Cummins in Indianapolis at the end of July 1999. The objective of these meetings is to urge continuation of low emission alternative fuel products and their development, noting the air quality benefits, toxic emission reductions, and product demand in California, as evidenced by the success of the Moyer Program solicitation.

Coordinate with Transit Districts

• AQMD and ARB staff have provided preliminary comments to LACMTA on their report regarding recommendations on future bus procurements and its Alternative Fuel Initiative.
• AQMD staff visited LACMTA Division 3 to gather first hand information on their CNG bus operations.
• In July and August, AQMD and ARB staff will be visiting several transits around the country that operate alternative fuel buses in their fleet to gather information on their experiences. The transits include Cleveland, New York, Washington, DC, Tacoma, and Houston.

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 Children's Initiatives. Staff has met with LAUSD several times regarding a proposed demonstration of advanced clean fuel bus technologies. A meeting with Thomas-Freightliner has been scheduled for July 29, 1999 to discuss development and demonstration of a 42-passenger CNG school bus.

Attachment D

Environmental Justice Initiative #10

Public Comment, Rules 1401 and 1402

Status Report

July 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:

• August Board meeting – Rule 1401 & Rule 219
• Rule 1401 – update acute compounds
  - SRP action February 10, 1999
  - ~60 chemicals
  - 7 chemicals, ~14 permits per year may require additional controls
  - ~$770,000 annual cost
  - no significant CEQA impacts
• Rule 219
  - recommended change from Permit Streamlining Task Force efforts
  - permit required if risk limits exceeded, rather than screening emission levels
  - reduces number of permits; still provides controls when necessary
• Cumulative Impacts
  -Working Group meeting June 24, 1999
  - proposing comprehensive Air Toxic Reduction Plan
  - report to the Board at August or September meeting
  - next Working Group meeting July 23, 1999
  

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