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REPORT:

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on January 15, 1999. Major items discussed included a presentation on MTBE; Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the February Board meeting; updates on the Truck Working Group and upcoming conferences; 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 February 26, 1999 at 11:30 a.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Receive and file.

Hal Bernson, Chair
by Leonard Paulitz, Vice Chair Technology Committee

Attendance: Present were Committee Vice Chair Leonard Paulitz, and Committee members Norma Glover and Roy Wilson, who participated by video-teleconference.

Technology Advancement Feature Presentation

1. MTBE Presentation - Dr. Arturo Keller of UC Santa Barbara presented an overview of the health and environmental assessment of MTBE, covering the following topics: Air Quality Benefits of Reformulated Gasoline; Human Health Effects of MTBE; Ecological Effects of MTBE; Extent of Contamination of Drinking Water Supplies; Unit cost of Water Treatment; Aggregate Cost of Water Treatment; Cost-Benefit Analysis of MTBE and Other Gasoline Alternatives; and Policy Recommendations.

February Board Agenda Items

2. Execute Contract for Demonstration of Electric Vehicle Rental Program - Successful commercialization of electric vehicles is an important factor in reducing emissions from on-road vehicles. Based on the results of a competitive solicitation, EV Rental Cars has been selected to conduct an electric vehicle rental program. Total project cost is $552,000 in funds and $623,755 in-kind. AQMD’s contribution shall not exceed $200,000 in funds. ARB’s contribution will be $100,000 in funds to be passed through the AQMD, and $100,000 in-kind. The remaining balance will be co-funded by the contractor and other entities. One Committee Member left the meeting before the vote on this item and, therefore, less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item. Committee Members Paulitz and Wilson communicated their concurrence.

3. Status Report on Efficiency of Aqueous Solvents on Hard-to-Clean, Heavy-Duty Parts Subject to Rule 1171 - Mike Nazemi of Technology Advancement provided a status report on the efficiency of aqueous solvents on hard to clean heavy-duty truck parts. On February 13, 1998, the Board authorized the Chairman to execute a contract with CE-CERT to conduct a study to identify and evaluate the cleaning efficiency of water-based cleaning systems on "hard to clean" parts with "extra heavy-duty" grease and grime for repair and maintenance operation of heavy-duty trucks subject to Rule 1171, and to report the results to the Board. It was determined that the vast majority of difficult to clean truck parts were satisfactorily cleaned with aqueous solvents. Only clutch parts with paper gaskets could not be cleaned. The aqueous solvents worked better than petroleum-based solvents on plastic parts. The ultrasonic unit cleaned the dirtiest parts faster than petroleum-based solvents. Most mechanics preferred aqueous solvents due to more acceptable odor and less skin irritation.

4. Execute Contract to Provide Outreach Assistance to Basin Cities Regarding Low-Emission, Clean Fuel Vehicle Technologies - On September 11, 1998, the Board authorized the release of an RFP to select a qualified contractor to provide information to Basin communities on the status of low-emission, clean fuel vehicle technologies as part of the AQMD’s Clean Fuels Program which supports programs to develop and demonstrate low-emission, clean fuel technologies to commercialization. This action is to execute a contract with Gladstein & Associates. Total cost to the AQMD will not exceed $100,000. One Committee Member left the meeting before the vote on this item and, therefore, less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item. Committee Members Paulitz and Wilson communicated their concurrence.

Updates

5. Truck Working Group Update - Cindy Sullivan of Technology Advancement provided an update on the California Truck Working Group. This group was established in 1994 to address proposed provisions of the EPA's proposed FIP for California and its participants include the California Air Resources Board, the South Coast and Sacramento Air Districts, the California Energy Commission, California Trucking Association, and several key environmental groups. In 1998 a subgroup of the Truck Working Group was formed to address the issues surrounding implementation of an incentive program. Members of the Working Group selected ARCADIS, Geraghty & Miller to facilitate meetings and other activities of the group. Staff recommends executing a $30,000 contract with ARCADIS, Geraghty & Miller for professional support of the Incentive Program Implementation Team of the California Truck Working Group.

6. Photovoltaic Solar Roof Workshop - Ranji George of Technology Advancement briefed the Committee on the upcoming Photovoltaic Solar Roof Workshop which will present the emerging solar roof tile technology to the building industry. This workshop will take place on Thursday, February 4, 1999 from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Martin Luther King Jr. Metro Transit Center in Compton. The workshop includes a tour of the solar roof installation at the nearby Nehemiah single-family housing development.

7. District Sponsored Conferences - Mike Nazemi of Technology Advancement noted the subject, dates and times of the following conferences:
   
   9^th CRC Vehicle On-Road Emissions Conference
   Date: April 19 – 21, 1999
   Location: Hyatt Islandia Hotel, San Diego, California
   This conference addresses on-road emissions, with presentations from scientists and engineers working in the automotive and oil industries, academia, government agencies, independent laboratories, as well as researchers from outside the United States.
   
   1999 World Truck Conference
   Date: May 2 – 4, 1999
   Location: Monterey Park Hotel, Monterey, California
   This Conference will examine technologies and strategies to reduce the environmental impact of trucks in a cost-effective way.
   
   1999 SAE Future Transportation Technology Conference
   Date: August 17 – 19, 1999
   Location: Doubletree Hotel, Costa Mesa, California
   This conference will examine low-emission, high-efficiency fuels and propulsion systems.

8. Report on Completed Technology Advancement Projects
   
   Fred Minassian of Technology Advancement, presented final reports on Cosponsorship for projects for Measurement of Primary Particulate Matter Emissions from Light-Duty Motor Vehicles; Repowering of a Tug Boat with Ultra-Low Emissions Diesel Engines; and Characterizing Particulate Emissions from Medium- and Light Heavy-Duty Diesel Fueled Vehicles.

9. Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives 2,7 and 10
   
   Written reports on Initiatives 2 and 7 were submitted. Jill Whynot of Stationary Source Compliance provided a summary of the peer review meeting on the Soluble Nickel Salts Risk Assessment prepared by TERAl, indicating that meeting participants had decided as follows: soluble nickel may enhance the carcinogenicity of other nickel compounds; they deleted comparison of soluble and insoluble nickel; there was a draft change of classification for soluble nickel as "unlikely to be carcinogenic at low concentrations, but may be carcinogenic at high concentrations;" and revised "carcinogenicity of inhaled soluble nickel cannot be determined." There were no comments, and the reports are attached hereto as Attachments B, C and D.

10. Other Business - There was no other business.

11. 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 #10 Status Report

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Attachment A - Attendance

Attachment B

Environmental Justice Initiative No. 2 - MATES-II and Microscale Study

Status Report - January 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.

December/Early January Actions:

1. MATES-II:

• All 10 MATES-II Sites continuing to operate
• Most laboratory analyses completed for samples collected through September
• Some analyses completed through October
• Draft point source toxics emissions inventory completed by contractor
• New growth and emission control factor development now in progress

2. Microscale Study:

• Spring, summer, and fall seasonal sampling now completed at Hawthorne and Pacoima; winter sampling under way at Hawthorne
• Sampling completed at Montclair, Torrance, Costa Mesa, Boyle Heights, Corona, and Norwalk
• Sampling in progress at Anaheim
• Next deployments in preparation phase (Van Nuys and Riverside)

3. ATSTRG meeting held December 9, 1998

• Key discussion topics:

1. Field program status report
2. Toxics emission survey
3. ARB’s TAC listing of diesel particulate emissions
4. EPA’s Cumulative Exposure Project

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 (Van Nuys and Riverside)
• Finalize updated toxics emissions inventory
• Complete growth and emission control factor development
• Next ATSTRG Meeting scheduled for January 20, 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
December 1998 - January 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.
• AQMD staff is developing an implementation plan and proposal for the South Coast Air Basin. Proposals are due to the ARB in April 1999.
• Staff level discussions continue regarding allocation of the Moyer Program funds among the state air districts.
• The $109 million Heavy-Duty Diesel engine enforcement settlement between DOJ/EPA and seven engine manufacturers is expected to bring about $20 million directly to the ARB. Use of those funds is under consideration, with one option being adding those funds to the Moyer Program.
• 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.

Attachment D

Environmental Justice Initiative #10
Public Comment, Rules 1401 and 1402
Status Report
January 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 – Rule 1401
  – Continue portion of hearing to February for changes to effective dates for some
  compounds

Further Efforts on EJ Initiative #10:

• Working Group January 28

– update on EPA’s residual risk program
– general principles and policy approaches
– industry/environmental community meeting
– further discussions on threshold in Rule 1402 and possible mechanisms for
cumulative impacts

• Work with Permit Streamlining Task Force
• Rule 1402 for Board consideration in late spring/summer

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