Back

REPORT: 

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Technology Committee met on December 17, 1999. Major items discussed included information items on a home-based fueling concept and a project update on a chemical hydride storage system to generate hydrogen on-board vehicles; Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the January Board meeting; and written-only presentations on 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 January 28, 2000 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Receive and file this report.

Hal Bernson, Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Committee Chair Hal Bernson participated by video-teleconference. No other Committee Members were present. Video-teleconference connection was maintained with the office of Committee Member Roy Wilson in Indio with one member of the public in attendance. Teleconference connection was available at the office of Committee Member William Burke in Los Angeles but no members of the public were in attendance.

January Board Agenda Items

1. Authorize AQMD Membership in California Fuel Cell Partnership as a Full Partner - The California Fuel Cell Partnership has invited the AQMD to join it as a full member. The Partnership seeks to demonstrate fuel cell vehicles through on-road operation and development of supporting fueling sites beginning in 2000. Less than a quorum was present; Chair Hal Bernson communicated his concurrence with staff's recommendation.
   
   
2. Execute Contract to Cost-Share Completion of Relocating of the Solar Based Hydrogen Refueling Facility - On May 8, 1999, the Governing Board awarded $50,000 to Clean Air Now, Inc. to relocate its solar hydrogen refueling station from Xerox, El Segundo to Sunline Services Group facility near Palm Desert, CA. During the conduct of this project, additional work was identified regarding the need for safety assessments for hydrogen storage, handling and dispensing. Staff recommends that AQMD contract with Sunline Services Group, the construction manager and host, for $55,000 to complete equipment upgrades and safety assessments. Total project cost is $325,000. Less than a quorum was present; Chair Hal Bernson communicated his concurrence with staff's recommendation.
   
   
3. Amend Contract to Cosponsor Evaluation of the Effects of Biodiesel and Other Clean Fuel Blends on Exhaust Emission Rates and Reactivity – Phase 2 - Biodiesel blends and other types of low-sulfur diesel fuels may have the potential to reduce exhaust emissions from diesel-burning engines significantly. Staff recommends amending AQMD Contract #99120 with CE-CERT in an amount not to exceed $90,531 which would add two additional fuels comprised of a low-sulfur diesel fuel called EC-diesel and a biodiesel produced from recycled cooking oil called OXyG B60 to the existing test matrix. Southern States Power Inc. will co-fund $25,000 of this additional effort. Less than a quorum was present; Chair Hal Bernson communicated his concurrence with staff's recommendation.
   
   
4. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Evaluation of Emissions Durability of Off-Road LPG Engines Equipped with Three-Way Catalysts - Large spark-ignited off-road engines powered by LPG and gasoline are important contributors to NOx and VOC emissions in the Basin. Based on the results of a recently completed project conducted by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and jointly sponsored by the AQMD and the ARB, these emissions can be reduced significantly with the application of three-way catalysts. This action proposes a follow-up project to be conducted by SwRI to assess the durability of emission control systems on large spark-ignited off-road engines operating on LPG. This $250,000 project shall be cost shared by the AQMD in an amount not to exceed $100,000 and the ARB contributing the balance of $150,000. Less than a quorum was present; Chair Hal Bernson communicated his concurrence with staff's recommendation.
   
   
5. Issue RFP for Development of Low-NOx Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Engine and Accept Co-funding from California Energy Commission and U.S. Department of Energy - Natural Gas Heavy-Duty Engines are typically certified at ARB low-NOx emission standards of 2.5 g/bhp-hr NOx or less, significantly below the heavy-duty engine emission standard of 4.0 g/bhp-hr. ARB proposes that transit bus engines be certified to 0.5 g/bhp-hr NOx in 2004 and 0.2 in 2007. Staff proposes to co-fund development of natural gas engines to meet this standard in the near term. Total funding for this RFP will not exceed $2,500,000. The AQMD’s Clean Fuels Program will provide $1,000,000, with maximum co-funding of $500,000 from the CEC, and $1,000,000 from the DOE. It is expected that there will be multiple awards from this RFP. Less than a quorum was present; Chair Hal Bernson communicated his concurrence with staff's recommendation.

Technology Advancement Information Items

6. Home-Based Fueling Concept - Fred Minassian of Science and Technology Advancement gave an overview of home-based fueling concepts, indicating that fueling options may be natural gas or electric, and they can be cost-effective, convenient and low-maintenance. However, technologies need to be developed and commercialized. The overall benefits to be achieved from this would be a reduced dependency on gasoline fueling for non-fleet vehicle owners, lower emissions, ease of use and convenience, cost-effectiveness, and compatible performance to that of conventional fueling.
   
   
7. Project Update on Chemical Hydride Storage System to Generate Hydrogen On-Board Vehicles - Fred Becker of Thermo Technologies presented an update on the development and demonstration of an advanced hydrogen generating system onboard vehicles. The program objectives are to demonstrate the technical viability and economic attractiveness of a chemical hydride slurry-based hydrogen generation/storage system. A prototype storage and delivery system for vehicular applications will be developed and demonstrated, along with technical validation and economic analyses of a low-cost hydride production process.
   
   
8. Monthly Report 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, C and D.
   
   
9. Other Business - There was no other business.
   
   
10. Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.

Attachments

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

/ / /

Attachment A - Attendance

Attachment B

Monthly Status Report
November-December 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 progressing.
  
  
• The AQMD has received its 1999 Carl Moyer Program allocation of $11.3 million, initiating the contract execution process.
  
  
• AB 1571, authored by Assemblyman Villaraigosa and co-authored by Senator Brulte, was signed into law by Governor Davis. The bill establishes an advisory to identify potential sources of revenue to continue the Moyer Program funding incentives.

Promote Technology Advancement

• Staff proposes to release a Request for Proposals to support development of very low emission natural gas engines with an ultimate emissions target of 0.5 g/bhp-hr. The proposed $2.5 million RFP includes the financial support of the California Energy Commission and DOE.

Coordination with Transit Districts

• The AQMD testified at workshops for a proposed transit fleet rule by ARB. The AQMD urged ARB to consider a "one path" rule, mandating the use of alternative fuel vehicles by transit districts.
  
  
• AQMD staff testified to the Riverside Transit Authority Board study session, urging the Board to purchase alternative fuel buses in the future.

Conduct Public Education and Outreach

• Staff has conducted a number of outreach efforts for the 1999-2000 Carl Moyer Program, including a formal bidders conference, meetings with trucking and other heavy-duty vehicle users, and workshops at the four major airports.

Status Report
December 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:

• Rule 1402
  – Proposed amendments in March 2000
  – Public workshop December 8, 9:30 a.m.
  
  
• Staff Proposing:
  – Lowering threshold to 25 in a million and hazard index of 3
  – Consider risk and technology-based approaches
  – Identify industries more appropriately controlled through source-specific rules
  – Consider less time for reductions
  – 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
  – Comprehensive plan under development
  – Public participation through
      3AQMP Advisory Group/technical subcommittee
      3Updates to Rules 1401 & 1402 Working Group
      3Public consultation meetings
      3Coordination with other agencies
  
  
• Proposed Fleet Rule (Proposed Rule 1190) under development

/ / /