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REPORT:

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on June 25, 1999. Major items discussed included a presentations on Fischer-Tropsch fuels and the Detroit Diesel Series 60 natural gas engine; Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the July Board meeting; a summary of the TAO reauthorization bill SB 98; an update on the status of contracts for projects to be awarded from the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program; written only 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 July 16, 1999 at 11:30 a.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Receive and file.

Hal Bernson, Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Committee member Normal Glover was present in person. Committee Chair Hal Bernson and Committee Member William Burke participated by video-teleconference.

Technology Advancement Feature Presentations

1. Emissions Reduction Potential, Technology Options, and Market Outlook for Fischer-Tropsch Fuels - Michael Murphey of Battelle presented an overview of Fischer Tropsch Fuels which reviewed their properties, the emissions reductions from use of these fuels, the economics and feedstocks for fuel production, and the overall status of these fuels in the marketplace.

2. Update on Development of Detroit Diesel Series 60 Natural Gas Engine - Cindy Sullivan of Science & Technology Advancement, provided an update on the Series 60 Engine developed by Detroit Diesel, indicating that the project's objective was to develop and demonstrate the DDC Series 60 natural gas engine in trucking applications and to certify the engine to low NOx standards at up to 400 horsepower. It was indicated that the engine has been certified to 4.0 g/bhp-hr NOx at 3.30 horsepower, and certification to 2.5 g/bhp-hr is underway.

July Board Agenda Items

3. Execute Contract to Cost-Share the Evaluation of Transient Emissions from On-Board Reformers - Major auto manufacturers are developing proton exchange membrane fuel cell vehicles with on-board reformers as an option. Emissions from these reformers during startup and acceleration modes could be potentially significant, and could affect fuel cell performance. Control of these emissions are needed to enable vehicles with reformers to meet near zero-emission standards. ARCADIS has proposed to evaluate the transient emissions of the on-board reformers built by Hydrogen Burner Technology (HBT) and Epyx, and also develop emission controls for the HBT reformer. AQMD funding shall not exceed $105,000, and will be used to fund the clean fuels portion of the project. Moved (Glover), seconded (Burke) and unanimously recommended for approval.

4. Issue Request for Qualifications for Technical Assistance for Advanced, Low- and Zero-Emission Transportation Technology - The Request for Qualifications will solicit statements of qualifications from individuals and organizations potentially capable of providing technical assistance in a variety of specialized areas to support AQMP development and Technology Advancement activities. It is anticipated that multiple awards for level-of-effort contracts will be made from this solicitation. Moved (Glover), seconded (Burke) and unanimously recommended for approval.

5. Issue Purchase Orders for Purchase of Compressed Pure Gases and Cryogenic Liquids, and Establish List of Prequalified Vendors for Purchase of Compressed Mixed Gases - On February 12, 1999, the Board approved the release of an RFQ to purchase compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids. At the same meeting, the Board approved the release of a Request for Qualification to prequalify providers of blended mixed gases. Seven bids for compressed pure gases, seven bids for cryogenic liquids, and eight bids for compressed blended gases, were received and evaluated. This action is to issue purchase orders for the purchase of compressed pure gases and cryogenic liquids, and establish a list of prequalified vendors for the purchase of compressed mixed gases for FY 1999-2000 with an optional extension to cover FY 2000-2001. Moved (Glover), seconded (Burke) and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   Dr. Burke requested information on TAO contracts awarded to minorities.

Updates

6. Summary of SB 98 - Chung Liu, Deputy Executive Officer of Science & Technology Advancement presented a summary of SB 98 which re-authorized the Clean Fuels Program. Amendments to the Clean Fuels Program legislation extend the funding authority until January 1, 2005; codify the Technology Advancement Office; codify an advisory group; formalize the planning process; and formalize the reporting process.

7. Update on Status of Contracts for Projects to be Awarded from Request for Proposals No. 9899 –28, Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program (Carl Moyer Program) - Cindy Sullivan reviewed the outreach efforts undertaken, the proposal submission schedule, funding allocations, the proposals received to date, the proposal review process and current status of proposal review, as well as the schedule for award approval.
   
   Dr. Burke asked how the Carl Moyer Program addressed the fuel cell issue. Cindy Sullivan indicated that the program is targeted to heavy-duty vehicles on the road today, and no fuel cell technology is currently targeted to the heavy-duty sector.
   
   Dr. Burke asked for clarification on the difference between these vehicles and clean diesel vehicles. Cindy Sullivan indicated they would have one-half the emissions or less than a clean diesel vehicle.

8. Reports on Completed Technology Advancement Projects
   
   Committee Members had previously received these final reports on projects to demonstrate the use of alternative fuels in rental fleets and the development of a ULEV ethanol-fueled vehicle, and copies were available for the public at the meeting. Chairman Bernson asked if Committee Members or members of the public wanted the reports verbally presented and, hearing no requests, the reports were filed.

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. 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.

10. Other Business - There was no other business.

11. Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.
    
    The meeting was adjourned at 12:40 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 - June 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.

May/Early June Actions:

1. MATES-II and Microscale Study:

• All sampling completed
• Laboratory analyses in final stages
• 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:
• Outline of report and associated key issues
• Microscale and area-wide inventories
• Statistical analyses of final data base
• Analysis of ARB’s historical toxic data base

Upcoming Items:

• Complete laboratory analyses with input from ARB
• 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
May - June 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 closing date is July 1, 1999.
• As of June 16, 1999, 21 proposals for a total of 461 vehicles have been received by the AQMD. The proposals to date total $19.6 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: Assembly Transportation, April 19, 1999 (18 Ayes / 0 Noes); Assembly Appropriations, May 28, 1999 (14 Ayes / 7 Noes); and the full Assembly, June 1, 1999 (78 Ayes / 0 Noes).
• SB 98 (Alarcon), to reauthorize and extend the AQMD Clean Fuels Program until January 1, 2005, was signed into state law by Governor Davis on June 8, 1999, taking effect immediately as an urgency measure.

Continue Statewide Coordination

• The Truck Working Group met on May 18, 1999 to discuss the status of individual air district Carl Moyer Programs. Many districts will not start their programs until summer or fall 1999.
• An additional meeting was held June 9, 1999 to discuss possible amendments, to clarify electric equipment criteria and to establish a program advisory committee, to AB 1571 and future funding for the Carl Moyer Program. In anticipation of the bill being signed, the participating air districts are to think about successful heavy-duty vehicle projects they would like to highlight in a possible press event.
• AQMD staff participated in a California Hydrogen Bus Demonstration Coordination Meeting, held this time at ARB in Sacramento on June 8, 1999. These meetings have been organized by NREL and DOT. Participants include DOE, AQMD, ARB, CEC, and other stakeholders. The objective is to coordinate local, state, and federal resources and to exchange information among the demonstration sites of hydrogen bus technologies. Current transits with active hydrogen bus demonstrations include Sunline Transit, Chula Vista, and Davis.

Attachment C (continued)

Coordinate with Transit Districts

• AQMD staff has received and is currently reviewing a report by LACMTA regarding recommendations on future bus procurements and its Alternative Fuel Initiative. AQMD staff are coordinating the review with the ARB. LACMTA requested comments by May 28, 1999, however, in response to a request from the ARB and AQMD, granted an extension for comments until July 1, 1999.

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). Staff has met with LAUSD several times regarding a proposed demonstration of advanced clean fuel bus technologies and visited LAUSD's Gardena bus yard on June 16, 1999. Staff is providing assistance to LAUSD in determining the best CNG fuel options. 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
June 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:

• Acute compounds – Rule 1401/Rule 219
  - finalized acute risk values by the SRP on February 10, 1999
  - affects 51 acute compounds
  - two compounds (hydrogen chloride and ethylene glycol ethyl ether) have a February 10, 1999 effective date
  - Proposed Rule 1401 changes to the remaining risk values and effective dates scheduled for August Board meeting
  - administrative change to Rules 1401 and 219 based on Permit Streamlining Task Force recommendation

• Cumulative Impacts – Rule 1402
  -Working Group meeting June 24, 1999
  - proposing an Air Toxics Reduction plan
  - report to Board August 1999 on plan’s concept
  - submit plan in conjunction with 2000 AQMP
  

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