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Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review

SYNOPSIS: 

Below is a summary of key issues addressed at the MSRC’s February 24, 2000, meeting. The next MSRC meeting is Thursday, March 23, at 1:30 p.m. in Room CC8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Norma J. Glover
AQMD Representative on MSRC

Approval of Minutes

Minutes from the January 27, 2000, MSRC meetings were unanimously approved, as submitted. The minutes are attached for your information (Attachment 1).

Approval of Qualifications Package for DaimlerChrysler EPIC Electric Minivan for Participation in the MSRC's EV "Quick Charge" Buydown Program

In September 1996 we approved the first qualified manufacturer and qualifications package for participation in the MSRC's EV "Quick Charge" Buydown Program. At that time we authorized the MSRC to approve future qualification packages. The MSRC unanimously approved the qualifications package for DaimlerChrysler's EPIC Electric Minivan as part of the FY 1995-97 AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Work Program. The EPIC uses a nickel-metal hydride battery and has a demonstrated range of approximately 80 miles. The three-year lease price is $450 per month based on the incentive. The vehicle was built in a lot and all the vehicles have been allotted. Although this vehicle uses a charging coupler incompatible with most public infrastructure, the vehicle is allotted to fleets that will use special chargers. It is also capable of fast charging in 20 minutes, and is currently being demonstrated by an airport shuttle fleet at LAX. Including this vehicle, the MSRC has approved eight vehicles for participation in the $5,000 buydown program.

Appointment of Air Pollution Control Expert to the MSRC's Technical Advisory Committee

Health & Safety Code 44244 stipulates that the MSRC's Technical Advisory Committee "…shall also include one or more persons who have academic training and professional expertise in air pollution control…". When AB 2766 was amended to include this language, the MSRC conducted an extensive recruitment process in an attempt to identify at least two air pollution control experts. However, because the positions are uncompensated and there is a potential for conflicts of interest, the MSRC was unable to fill the positions. Recently, an individual came forward requesting consideration for appointment to the TAC as an air pollution control expert. At its February 24 meeting, the MSRC approved the appointment of Todd Campbell to fill one of two vacant Air Pollution Control Expert positions on the TAC. Mr. Campbell is an expert in the diesel displacement arena and is employed by the Coalition for Clean Air. He is also a member of the AQMD's Carl Moyer Advisory Committee and the SB-98 Clean Fuels Advisory Group.

Electric Vehicle Survey

The MSRC plans to conduct an EV survey in the next few months. Numerous stakeholders will participate in the survey to coordinate dissemination amongst as many EV users as possible. The survey is intended to collect data on how EVs are being used, use of infrastructure, and customer satisfaction, among other facts. The survey will serve two purposes. First, it will inform the MSRC on how successful its incentive and infrastructure programs have been, and how future work programs should be structured. Second, the data will assist the CARB as it review's the ZEV mandate during the upcoming workshops.

Contract Modification Requests

The MSRC took the following actions on requested contract modifications:

1. Unanimously approved novation to Arthur D. Little of ARCADIS, Geraghty & Miller Contract #00001, which provides $200,000 for technical assistance to heavy-duty fleets;
2. Unanimously approved six-month contractual term extension on Ampco Contract #99020, which provides $356,448 for the differential cost of 28 LPG shuttles;
3. Approved two contractual term extensions within the Local Government Subvention Match Program, as follows: a) six-month extension for City of Malibu's CNG fueling station project; and b) three-month extension for City of Glendora's electric vehicle purchase. The City of Santa Ana was denied an extension because the project scope was fundamentally changed from the original proposal. Two other match projects from the Cities of Los Angeles and Claremont could not be completed by the program deadline and the contractors decided to return the funds; and
4. Unanimously approved an alternative performance offer from Power Systems on its expired Contract #97011, which provided $1,454,000 for a heavy-duty LNG fleet demonstration. Through a letter agreement, Power Systems has agreed to install an alternative fueling station and retrofit three vehicles at their cost in exchange for a fueling station that was sold out of the basin and six vehicles that were converted back to diesel.

Final Reports Received and Approved

The MSRC unanimously received and approved four final reports for:

1. City of Los Angeles DOT Contract #95030, which provided $504,000 for the demonstration of advanced hybrid-electric technology on four transit vehicles;
2. City of Los Angeles DOT Contract #97008, which provided $54,750 for development of a City of Los Angeles bicycle map;
3. IMPCO Technologies, Inc. Contract #98004, which provided $447,820 for development of a medium-duty LPG truck engine certified to low NOx emissions standards; and
4. City of San Fernando Contract #99008, which provided $8,008 for a San Fernando Police Department bicycle project.

All final reports are filed in the AQMD's Library.

Contract Administrator Report

The MSRC's AB 2766 Contract Administrator provided a written status report on all open contracts from FY 1994-95 through the present. This Contract Administrator Report is attached for your information (Attachment 2).

Attachments

1 - Approved January 27, 2000, Minutes
2 - Contract Administrator Report

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