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BOARD MEETING DATE: January 8, 1999 AGENDA NO. 31

REPORT:

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on December 17, 1998. Major items discussed included a presentation on availability of funds for heavy-duty diesel emission reduction; Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the January Board meeting; report on a completed Technology Advancement project; presentations on risk considerations for nickel plating and Rule 1610; 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.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Receive and file.

William A. Burke, Ed.D., Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Present were Committee Chair William Burke, who participated by videoteleconference, Vice Chair Leonard Paulitz, and Committee Members Norma Glover; Jon Mikels and Roy Wilson, who also participated by videoteleconference.

Technology Advancement Feature Presentations

1. Report on Availability of Funds for Heavy-Duty Diesel Emission Reduction - Chung Liu, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, Technology Advancement, presented an overview of the funding available for alternative fueled heavy-duty vehicles. Committee members wanted the issue of the Petroleum Violations Escrow Account (PVEA) discussed in our Legislative Committee to see if we could work with our legislators to increase "legislative member requested" funding for the District.

January Board Agenda Items

1. Amend Contract to Cost-Share Development of Best Practices for Natural Gas Fuel System Design and Integration - At its January 1998 meeting, the Board approved entering into a cost-share project to develop recommended best practices for natural gas fuel system design and integration for medium-duty trucks and transit and school buses. The proposed amendment would add $25,000 to complete existing work that has proved to be more extensive than originally thought. GRI is adding $50,000 to their cost share. Total cost of the project is approximately $870,508. AQMD cost will not exceed $175,000, including the proposed amendment. Moved (Wilson), seconded (Paulitz) and recommended for approval. Committee Member Norma Glover did not vote on this item.

4. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development and Demonstration of Advanced Natural Gas Engine Electronic Controls – 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. Natural gas heavy-duty engines have exhibited NOx emissions below 2.0 g/bhp-hr. Cummins Engine Company proposes a cooperative program to design, validate and implement PC-based electronic tools for an advanced natural gas engine management system. The proposed control system will permit future engine enhancements to enable higher efficiency while maintaining ultra-low emissions. AQMD cost-share of this $590,000 project will not exceed $265,000. Moved (Paulitz), seconded (Glover) and recommended for approval. Committee Member Jon Mikels was temporarily unavailable when the Committee voted on this item.  

5. Execute Contract to Cost Share Implementation of Low-Emission Alternative Fuel Heavy-Duty Trucks in the Western United States - Heavy-duty vehicles are responsible for 20% of the total NOx emissions in the Basin. Low-emission, alternative fuel heavy-duty engines have one-half or less the NOx emissions of their diesel counterparts and a fraction of the particulate emissions. In response to RFP 9899-04, Gladstein & Associates has been selected to facilitate the implementation of low-emission, alternative fuel, heavy-duty vehicles within the western United States. Total cost of the project is $308,000. AQMD’s contribution will not exceed $100,000. Moved (Glover), seconded (Paulitz) and recommended for approval. Committee Member Jon Mikels was temporarily unavailable when the Committee voted on this item.  

6. Amend Contract to Cosponsor Development and Demonstration of Liquefied Natural Gas Locomotive - GasRail USA is a government-industry program at Southwest Research Institute to develop and demonstrate low-emission, LNG locomotives in the Basin. This amendment will support integration of the engine and fueling system package into a locomotive and pre-commercial demonstration of LNG locomotive technology in commuter train service with the Southern California Regional Rail Authority. To date, AQMD has contributed $1,750,000 to this project. Total cost to AQMD for this amendment will not exceed $250,000, for a total AQMD contribution of $2,000,000. Total project costs are $8,326,000. Moved (Glover), seconded (Paulitz) and recommended for approval. Committee Member Jon Mikels did not vote on this item.

7. Report on Completed Technology Advancement Projects - Shankar Prasad, Health Effects Officer, reviewed the final project assessment for allergens in paved road dust and airborne particles.

Updates and Reports

8. Risk Considerations for Nickel Plating
   
   Daniel Cunningham, Executive Director, Metal Finishing Association, introduced Randy Solganik who presented information on risk considerations for nickel plating. He asked that the Metal Finishing Association be allowed one-half hour to present their findings on this subject at the January 8, 1999 Governing Board meeting. Chairman Burke indicated that he would take this under consideration and communicate his decision on this matter to them personally.

9. Amend Rule 1610 - Old-Vehicle Scrapping
   
   Laki Tisopulos, Planning Manager, presented a review of the Texas and San Diego programs, with emphasis on the San Diego program. This program replaces two-way catalysts with three-way catalysts in 1975-80 vehicles. Chairman Burke expressed his belief that there should be participation among government agencies and the private sector to help develop this program. Barry Wallerstein indicated that he would be contacting Richard Summerville of the San Diego County APCD and Mike Kenny of the California Air Resources Board to explore ways to expedite and make feasible the use of retrofit kits, and then to develop a program for the District. Dr. Wallerstein indicated that once a concept and strategy had been worked out, he would meet with private sector groups to develop a plan to bring back to the Committee.

10. Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives
    
    Chairman Burke indicated that all Committee members had received the Environmental Justice Initiative updates for review and asked if there were any questions or comments. Hearing none, these updates were not verbally presented. The monthly status reports were handed out and are attached hereto as Attachments B, C and D.

11. Other Business - There was no other business.

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 #10 Status Report

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Attachment A - Attendance

Attachment B

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

November/Early December Actions:

1. MATES-II:

• All 10 MATES-II Sites continuing to operate
• Most laboratory analyses completed for samples collected through August
• 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
• Sampling completed at Montclair, Torrance, Costa Mesa, Boyle Heights, and Corona
• Sampling in progress at Norwalk
• Next deployments in preparation phase (Anaheim and Van Nuys)

3. No ATSTRG meeting was held in November

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  (Anaheim; Van Nuys)
• 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
November - December 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

• 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 held workshops on the proposed program criteria Nov. 12, 1998 in El Monte and Dec. 16, 1998 in Sacramento.

Continue Statewide Coordination

• The Implementation Team of the Ad Hoc Truck Working Group met Dec. 2, 1998 in Sacramento to further discuss air district coordination in implementing the Carl Moyer Incentive program, and how the program might be enhanced in the coming legislative session. The districts are also discussing coordination of outreach efforts associated with the program.

Coordinate with Transit Districts

• AQMD staff have been meeting with Foothill Transit board members to educate them on alternative fuel bus availability and experiences by other transits. Despite these discussions and testimony at the Foothill Transit Board meeting, the Board decided to go forward with a diesel-only bus procurement. The expressed concern was the perceived cost differential between purchase and operation of natural gas and diesel buses.

• AQMD staff continued discussions with LACMTA staff regarding continuing its Alternative Fuel Initiative in future bus procurements. Respective staff met Dec. 10, 1998 to exchange available information and understand mutual concerns.

Coordination with MSRC and Local Government

• The Heavy-Duty Vehicle Subcommittee of the MSRC/TAC has recommended a heavy-duty vehicle work program of approximately $10 million. The program will include funding for transit buses and on- and off-road vehicles. The transit program will include funding for purchase of buses, fueling facilities and training. The subcommittee is also requesting $50,000 to initiate an outreach effort for the program, and up to $500,000 for support before and during the vehicle purchase and implementation process. The TAC approved the program in concept at its Nov. 5, 1998 meeting. The program was discussed and approved by the MSRC on Dec. 10, 1998.

Conduct Public Education and Outreach

• Nov. 18, 1998: CNG-LNG Safety Workshop at AQMD Headquarters (110 participants).
• Nov. 20, 1998: Fuel Cell Reformer Conference at AQMD Headquarters (210 participants).

Attachment D

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

Status Report
December 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:

January Board Meeting

• Consider adding compounds related to metal plating
• Source tests and reports completed
• 41 additional chemicals identified by OEHHA
• Set Hearing December 11

Further Efforts on EJ Initiative #10

• Working Group October 29
• Next Working Group Meeting January 1999
  – 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

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