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Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Technology Committee met on January 28, 2000. Major items included a discussion on SCAQMD membership in the California Fuel Cell Partnership, Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the February Board meeting and written presentations on a completed technology advancement project and monthly updates of environmental justice initiatives 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 25, 2000 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Receive and file.

Hal Bernson, Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: No Committee Members were in attendance at AQMD headquarters. Hal Bernson and Roy Wilson (for part of the meeting) participated by video-teleconference. There was no quorum.

Committee Discussion

1. SCAQMD Membership in the California Fuel Cell Partnership as a Full Member - This item had previously been referred back to the Committee for discussion by the Governing Board at their January 21, 2000 meeting. Committee Chair Hal Bernson asked the following questions of ARB representative, Chief Deputy Executive Officer Tom Cackette.
   
   • What is the AQMD's financial obligation for joining the Partnership?
   
   • As a full member of the Partnership, does the AQMD have an equal vote on all matters concerning policy and future plans?
   
   • If the AQMD pulls out of the Partnership, will there be a financial liability for doing so?
   

Mr. Cackette responded that:

• Individual partners are responsible for a portion of some common expenses of the Partnership. The Partners would also participate, at their will, in various projects that the Partnership may choose to pursue. There clearly is an expectation of the Partners that the AQMD will be bringing some expertise and resources to the project in the areas where they have the most interest. Each partner has been asked to do that.

• The AQMD would sit on the Steering Committee and have an equal vote.

• Should the AQMD decide to withdraw from the Partnership, they would be responsible only for their portion of the common expenses for that year. Common expenses for this year are $84,000 and it is estimated that succeeding years will average approximately the same amount. There is no obligation to remain in the Partnership and the AQMD can withdraw at any time.

Chair Bernson asked if this item had received AQMD Financial Committee review. It was indicated it had not. Executive Officer Barry Wallerstein indicated this item would be placed on the agenda of the February 11, 2000 Administrative Committee meeting.

Chair Bernson also requested that, due to absence of a quorum at this meeting, this item be placed on the agenda of the next Technology Committee meeting.

February Board Agenda Items

2. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Evaluation of Impacts and Benefits of Hybrid Electric Vehicles - Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) have potential for significant beneficial impacts on fuel consumption, air quality and emissions of greenhouse gases. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has assembled a group of public and private stakeholders to compare the impacts and benefits of various HEV options. This group has developed four statements of work for competitive solicitation to evaluate the following areas: 1) HEV architecture, performance, modeling and impacts; 2) costs; 3) customer preference and interest; and 4) commercialization issues. AQMD’s contribution to this project shall not exceed $250,000. EPRI and ARB will contribute $250,000 each.
   
   Chair Bernson inquired about participation in this study by members of city and county agencies that provide emergency service and what the impact would be on the people served by emergency services. It was indicated that at present they are not participants, but that staff would request better integrate local governments into the study as local governments would be a sizeable customer for this type of technology.
   
   Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Chair communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.
   
   
3. Re-Issue RFP to Solicit Marine Projects for FY 1990-00 Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program Funding - On September 10, 1999, the Board approved the release of RFP #9900-06 for the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program for low-emission on- and off-road vehicles and equipment, including marine, construction and agricultural equipment. However, the marine portion of the RFP, Appendix 4 – Marine Vessels, was withheld from public notification and outreach pending modification of ARB guidelines for marine projects. Those issues have now been resolved and staff recommends release of the marine portion of the RFP. Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Chair communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.
   
   
4. Report on Completed Technology Advancement Project
   A written final report on assessment for a solar electric bicycle program was received and filed.
   
   
5. Monthly Reports on Environmental Justice Initiatives 7 and 10
   Written monthly status reports were received and filed. Copies of these reports are attached hereto as Attachments B and C.
   
   
6. Other Business - There was no other business.
   
   
7. Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

Attachments
Attachment A - Attendance
Attachment B - Environmental Initiative # 7 Status Report
Attachment C - Environmental Initiative #10 Status Report

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Attachment A - Attendance

Attachment B

Monthly Status Report
January 2000

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

• Proposals for the 1999-2000 Carl Moyer Program were due January 11, 2000. Forty-one proposals were received, totaling $18,050,516. Total available funding is $12,000,000. Staff is reviewing the proposals for completeness, and will rank proposals within each category by cost-effectiveness. The solicitation for marine applications, totaling $1,500,000 is expected to be released in February.

• The Governor’s proposed 2000-01 budget does not currently contain funding for the Carl Moyer Program.

• The Governor’s proposed 2000-01 budget for the Air Resources Board includes $50 million to replace older school buses with low emission technologies. As currently envisioned, the ARB would pass the funding to the air districts in a manner similar to the Carl Moyer Program. Staff will be following the progress of the proposal closely.

Promote Technology Advancement

• A Request for Proposals to support development of very low emission natural gas engines with a NO_x emission target of 0.5 g/bhp-hr, is to be issued, subject to Governing Board approval at its January 21, 2000 meeting. The proposed $2.5 million RFP includes the financial support of the California Energy Commission and DOE.

Coordination with Transit Districts

• Staff continues to monitor the activities of the Basin’s transit districts in regards to new bus purchases.

Conduct Public Education and Outreach

• Staff is assisting in the proposed Rule 1190 process, which would require public fleets and their contractors, and fleets servicing the airports, to implement low emission vehicles into their fleets. Staff is providing input to the staff report for the rule, and is organizing a school bus working group to address concerns of school districts in implementing alternative fuel technologies.

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

Status Report
January 2000

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:

• Rule 1402
  – Proposed amendments in March 2000
  – Public Consultation meeting January 26, 2:00 p.m.
  
  
• Proposal:
  – Establish a significant and two action risk levels
  – Significant risk level of 100 in a million and hazard index of 5
  – Action risk levels of 25 and 10 in a million and hazard index of 3
  – Add a cancer burden threshold of 0.5
  – Consider less time for reductions (3 years with 2 year extensions in some cases)
  – Consider risk and technology-based approaches
  – Identify industries more appropriately controlled through source-specific rules
  – Include technology & economic considerations
  – Require information from specific facilities above usage levels for key industries or
     compounds
  – Additional public notice
  
  
• Rule 1401
  – Continue to update rule as OEHHA finalizes chronic risk factors
  – Expect 3 more updates in next year
  
  
• Air Toxics Control Plan
  – Scheduled for March Board meeting
  – Public Consultation meetings:
  January 21, 2:00 p.m., District Auditorium
  January 24, 1:30 p.m., Riverside
  January 27, 6:30 p.m., City of Commerce
  January 28, 1:00 p.m., Santa Ana
  – Coordination with other agencies
  – Special AQMP Advisory Group Meeting, February 7

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