South Coast Air Quality Management District

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Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Technology Committee met on May 26, 2000. Major items included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the June and July Board meetings; the appointment of a new representative to the Technology Advancement Advisory Group; and a written-only monthly update on Environmental Justice Initiative No. 7. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on June 23, 2000 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Hal Bernson, Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Committee Vice-Chair Leonard Paulitz was in attendance at AQMD headquarters. Committee Chair Hal Bernson and Committee member Roy Wilson participated by video-teleconference. In the absence of Committee members William Burke, Norma Glover and Jon Mikels, and pursuant to the Procedures for Standing Committees of the Governing Board, adopted March 8, 1996, Board member Leonard Paulitz suggested and Board member Hal Bernson concurred that Board member Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta be appointed substitute member of the Technology Committee for the meeting of May 26, 2000 only.

June Board Agenda Item

1. Execute Contracts for Class 5-6 Vehicles, Transit Buses and Other On-Road Applications Awarded Under Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program - On September 10, 1999, the Board approved the release of an RFP for the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program to solicit projects for low-emission on- and off-road vehicles and equipment. Staff proposes to award contracts to fund the differential cost of alternative fuel class 5-6 vehicles, transit buses, and other on-road applications for a total funding of $4,097,743 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund. Total project cost is $45,171,802. Moved (Verdugo-Peralta), seconded (Paulitz) and unanimously recommended for approval.

July Board Agenda Items

2. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development of Ultra-Low Emission Natural Gas Vehicle for Use in Shuttle and Package Delivery Applications - Thousands of taxis, shuttles, and small package delivery vehicles operate in and around the airports in the South Coast Basin. These vehicles typically operate within a fixed area or over fixed routes, an ideal application for natural gas-fueled vehicles. Baytech Corporation, in association with Clean Air Vehicle Technology Center and American Livery Inc., proposes to develop and certify a General Motors 4.3-liter natural gas engine, and demonstrate the vehicle in passenger shuttle application. Total project cost is approximately $398,728; total AQMD funding will not exceed $186,211. Moved (Paulitz), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta) and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
3. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development of Very Low-NOx Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Engine - The AQMD with co-funding from the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) /National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), issued an RFP on January 21, 2000 to develop a low-NOx heavy-duty natural gas engine. Five proposals were received, and Detroit Diesel Corporation and Cummins Engine Company are recommended for award. Detroit Diesel’s total project cost is $2,817,349. Staff proposes executing a contract with Detroit Diesel for $1,330,966. This will include $830,966 from AQMD, and $500,000 from CEC to be passed through AQMD. The remaining balance of $1,486,383 will be cost-shared by Detroit Diesel. DOE/NREL will enter into a separate contract with Cummins for $998,586, which will be equally cost-shared by Cummins. Moved (Paulitz), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta) and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
4. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Remote Sensing Measurements of On-Road Heavy-Duty Diesel Nitric Oxide (NO) and Particulate Matter (PM) Emissions - Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and PM exhaust emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles contribute significantly to the Basin’s emissions inventory. Remote sensing technology can be used to measure NO in the exhaust plume to estimate NOx emissions in a short timeframe. The technology can also be used to measure opacity or absorption to estimate PM emissions. The AQMD will join in efforts with the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) to issue a RFP to evaluate remote sensing measurements of NO and PM exhaust emissions from different types of heavy-duty diesel vehicles. Staff recommends AQMD’s participation in this RFP with a co-funding of $100,000. CRC’s co-funding will be $300,000. Moved (Verdugo-Peralta), seconded (Paulitz) and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
5. Amend Contract to Cosponsor School Electric Vehicle Outreach Effort - Following an October 1998 Program Opportunity Notice to solicit clean fuels outreach projects, a contract was executed with California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) to develop and implement a school/community visitation program featuring the Solar Eagle III, an award winning solar electric vehicle developed and built by the university. CSULA has proposed to extend the term of the project through the 2000-2001 school year and to expand the project to include a school mentoring program for the 2000-2001 school year. Total project cost is $100,582. AQMD’s contribution shall not exceed $37,400, with CSULA contributing $63,182. Moved (Paulitz), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta) and unanimously recommended for approval.

ACTION ITEM

6. Appoint New Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) representative to the Technology Advancement Advisory Group - Dr. John Freel of Chevron Products Company was nominated to replace Ms. Gina Gray WSPA's representative to the Technology Advancement Advisory Group. Moved (Paulitz), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta) and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
7. Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiative No. 7
   A written only monthly status report was received and filed. A copy of this report is attached hereto as Attachment B.
   
   
8. Other Business - There was no other business.
   
   
9. Public Comment Period - Mr. John Billheimer suggested that funding sources be identified in AQMD Board Letters. Dr. Chung Liu indicated that all Technology Advancement office Board Letters clearly identify such sources.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 p.m.

Attachments
Attachment A - Attendance
Attachment B - Environmental Initiative No. 7 Status Report

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Attachment A - Attendance

Attachment B

Monthly Status Report
May 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

• The May Revise to the proposed state budget includes $50 million to support the Carl Moyer Program. Of that sum, $5 million is allocated to the CEC for Carl Moyer Program infrastructure support and R&D for low emission heavy-duty engines. The remaining $45 million is allocated to the ARB. If these monies are allocated in a similar manner to the past Carl Moyer Program, the SCAQMD will receive approximately $22 million.
  
  
• The May Revise continues to include a budget item to provide funding for school bus replacement. SB 1991 (Solis), Clean Alternative Fueled School Bus Program, which would provide the legislative vehicle for the Governor's $50 million school bus program, will be heard next in the Senate Transportation Committee. Proposed amendments to the bill would provide funding for new low emission school buses and the retrofit of older school buses with particulate traps or filters.

Promote Technology Advancement

• Staff has proposed the award of a contract to Detroit Diesel Corporation for development and certification of a 0.5 g/bhp-hr NOx heavy-duty engine for transit applications to the July Board Meeting.

Coordination with Transit Districts

• Staff presented testimony to a meeting of MTA's Operations Committee on May 17, 2000, in support of the continued purchase of natural gas buses.
  
  
• Staff is participating in a transit working group as part of the Rule 1190 process.

Conduct Public Education and Outreach

• Staff is providing input to the staff report for the 1190 series of fleet rules, and is participating in several industry-specific working groups to address concerns and determine the best ways to implement this series of rules.
  
  
• The AQMD sponsored a booth at the national Clean Cities Conference in San Diego in early May. Several staff and Board Members attended this conference, which had more than 1,000 attendees. Staff participated in an EPA-sponsored clean fuels infrastructure workshop the day after the Clean Cities Conference concluded.

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