South Coast Air Quality Management District

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Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Technology Committee met on August 25, 2000. Major items included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the September and October Board meetings and written-only reports on completed Technology Advancement projects. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on September 22, 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, Committee Chair Hal Bernson appointed Board member Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta ad hoc member of the Technology Committee for the meeting of August 25, 2000 only.

September Board Agenda Items

1. Execute Contracts to Evaluate Durability of Particulate Matter Retrofit Traps on School Buses - Protecting children from exposure to diesel exhaust is a high priority to the AQMD. Particulate trap technology can be used to reduce diesel emissions from school buses. These technologies need to be further tested and evaluated for durability as part of the school bus program. Pursuant to Chairman Burke’s directive, AQMD and ARB staff have jointly developed a durability test program by accelerated mileage accumulation on two retrofitted school buses. AQMD’s contribution shall not exceed $150,000 for bus acquisition, operation, and fuel costs. ARB will participate by designing a school bus specific driving cycle and protocol, and by making its heavy-duty testing facility available for any required testing. Moved (Wilson), seconded (Paulitz) and unanimously recommended for approval.

October Board Agenda Items

2. Transfer Funds from Clean Fuels Fund to FY 2000-01 General Fund Budget of Science & Technology Advancement, Services and Supplies Major Object, Professional and Special Services Account - Beginning in FY 1999-2000, revenues from the state-mandated Clean Fuels Program were directed to the Clean Fuels Fund rather than to an account within the AQMD’s General Fund budget. Periodically, funds are transferred from the Clean Fuels Fund to the General Fund to support AQMD activities directly related to the Clean Fuels Program. The proposed action is to transfer $250,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund to supplement the FY 2000-01 General Fund Budget of Science & Technology Advancement, Services and Supplies Major Object, Professional and Special Services Account to support planned Clean Fuels Program activities. Moved (Wilson), seconded (Paulitz) and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
3. Modify Term of AQMD Participation in California Fuel Cell Project - On March 17, 2000, the Governing Board conditionally approved joining the California Fuel Cell Project (CaFCP) as a full member. One condition was the addition of language to the Statement of Intent providing adequate protection from potential liability. After several months of negotiations, the full members could not reach consensus for an Indemnification Agreement that addressed liability issues. Some steps have been taken that may reduce, but not eliminate, potential liability. Nevertheless, based on progress achieved and the potential benefits of accelerating the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles, staff recommends modifying the term of AQMD membership in the CaFCP and continuing its full participation.
   
   Committee Chair Hal Bernson requested staff to return to the next Technology Committee with a cost estimate for general liability insurance.
   
   Moved (Verdugo-Peralta), seconded (Paulitz) and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
4. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Clean Fuel Infrastructure and Demographic Optimization Study - Funds will be made available through a variety of sources to build an unprecedented number of new clean fuel facilities in the South Coast Air Basin as well as in the Coachella Valley. To ensure adequate geographic coverage and accessibility to fleets, a system to track these new installations and plan optimum locations for new installations is necessary. A fueling infrastructure and demographic optimization study is proposed to depict existing facilities and determine their proximity to new and proposed clean fuel fleets. The Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee will cost share this project. Total project cost is $50,000; total AQMD funding will not exceed $25,000.
   
   Committee Chair Hal Bernson recommended the study be expanded to include electric charging stations as well as the potential for a hybrid system for fuel cells and other fuels. Deputy Executive Officer Chung Liu indicated staff will return to the Committee in the future with proposals for expanded studies.
   
   Moved (Wilson), seconded (Paulitz) and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
5. Issue RFP for Development and Demonstration of Distributed Hydrogen Refueling Stations within South Coast Air Basin - Automobile manufacturers have announced intentions to introduce fuel-cell vehicles in the 2004-05 timeframe. Key challenges that remain are the cost of the fuel-cell vehicles and the infrastructure to refuel early introduction fuel-cell vehicles. The objective of the proposed RFP is to develop and demonstrate packaged systems to generate and dispense hydrogen. These systems could facilitate the development of distributed stations for refueling fuel-cell vehicles introduced in the Basin. Total funding for this RFP will not exceed $700,000. Significant cost-sharing is expected and has been required in the RFP. It is expected that there will be multiple awards from this RFP.
   
   Committee Chair Hal Bernson recommended fuel cell technology companies be sought out as potential cosponsors. Dr. Liu responded that cost sharing is a requirement for the RFP proposals, and it is encouraged that all fuel cell technology vehicle manufacturers and fuel providers be included in the proposals as potential cosponsors.
   
   Mr. Bernson also requested the RFP not be limited to small fleets only. Staff will make the appropriate changes so the RFP will be issued to include both large and small fleets.
   
   Moved (Paulitz), seconded (Wilson) and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
6. (6&7) Reports on Completed Technology Advancement Reports
   Two written only final reports on completed Technology Advancement projects were received and filed.
   
   
8. Other Business - There was no other business.
   
   
9. Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:35 p.m.

Attachments

Attachment A - Attendance

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