South Coast Air Quality Management District

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Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Technology Committee met on July 28, 2000. Major items included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the August and September Board meetings and a written-only final 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 August 25, 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 July 28, 2000 only.

August Board Agenda Items

1. Execute Contracts for On-Road, Off-Road and Infrastructure Vehicles and Equipment Awarded Under Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program - On September 10, 1999, the Board approved the release of an RFP to implement the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program for low-emission on- and off-road vehicles. Staff proposes to award contracts to fund on-and off-road vehicles and equipment, and fueling infrastructure. Total cost of these awards is $7,115,618 with $3,065,618 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund and $4,050,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. Committee Chair Hal Bernson polled the Committee for questions or opposition. No opposition being heard, this item was unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
2. Execute Contracts to Initiate Natural Gas Refuse Truck Loan Program - Heavy-duty trucks and buses are responsible for 20% of the total NOx emissions in the South Coast Air Basin. Low emission natural gas engines produce about half the NOx emissions of their diesel counterparts. Staff proposes to initiate a two-year vehicle loan program that will introduce natural gas trucks to refuse hauling operations. This will provide an opportunity for entities to try such vehicles in actual fleet operation. Total project cost is estimated at $321,750, with total AQMD cost not to exceed $100,000. Committee Chair Hal Bernson polled the Committee for questions or opposition. No opposition being heard, this item was unanimously recommended for approval.

September Board Agenda Items

3. Execute Contracts with Local Museums to Implement Children’s Air Quality Agenda Initiative #8 - In implementing the Children's Air Quality Agenda Initiative No. 8, staff has worked with various museums to develop proposed education programs to teach children about air pollution and air quality issues. Based upon the unique character of the participating museums, the six recommended proposals cover a wide range of educational techniques that are designed to integrate into the existing museum activities. These projects would also address the appropriate student learning standards established by state and local educational agencies. AQMD cost for these contracts will not exceed $150,000.
   
   Board member Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta inquired into the co-sponsorship of these projects and recommended staff involve Cal State San Bernardino. Chair Hal Bernson also suggested contacting the Environmental Department of the City of Los Angeles.
   
   Committee Chair Hal Bernson polled the Committee for questions or opposition. No opposition being heard, this item was unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
4. Execute Contract to Co-Sponsor Development and Demonstration of Natural-Gas HCCI Engine - Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engines have been under development for several years. HCCI combines the best features of spark-ignited and diesel engines potentially yielding high efficiency and low NO_x and PM emissions. The difficulty has been in controlling combustion timing and producing sufficient power. The University of California, Berkeley (UCB), together with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, have developed proprietary technology relating to HCCI engines. UCB is proposing to develop and demonstrate a high-efficiency, low-emission, natural gas HCCI engine. The total cost of this project is approximately $665,900. It is proposed that AQMD support this project in an amount not to exceed $300,000. Committee Chair Hal Bernson polled the Committee for questions or opposition. No opposition being heard, this item was unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
5. 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. AQMD will join efforts with the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) to issue an 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. Committee Chair Hal Bernson polled the Committee for questions or opposition. No opposition being heard, this item was unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
6. Execute Contract to Co-Sponsor Demonstration of Fischer Tropsch Synthetic Fuel in Heavy Duty Fleet Vehicles - Diesel-powered heavy-duty vehicles contribute significantly to the Basin NOx and VOC emission inventory. The proposed demonstration will evaluate, quantify, and compare emissions of criteria, non-criteria, and toxic pollutants from using Fischer Tropsch and CARB diesel fuel in six late model medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in the Basin for 6 to 12 months. Initial studies have shown a 12% NOx and 24% PM emissions reduction. The contractors, National Renewable Energy Laboratory and West Virginia University, expect the project to show at least 90% PM emissions reduction for vehicles retrofitted with catalyzed particulate filters. Cost to the AQMD for the proposed $737,855 demonstration shall not exceed $367,855. The United States Department of Energy will provide $370,000. Committee Chair Hal Bernson polled the Committee for questions or opposition. No opposition being heard, this item was unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
7. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development and Demonstration of Commercial Prototype Advanced Valve Regulated Lead Acid Batteries for Electric Vehicles - Further commercialization of electric vehicles can be an important factor in reducing emissions from on-road vehicles. Additional advancements in lead acid battery performance would be beneficial to achieve increased power and extend battery life. Trojan Battery Company and Ensci have demonstrated performance improvements with the unique use of patented additives incorporated into the active material of the battery plates at the 2-volt cell level. In this two-phase project, commercial prototype 12-volt modules will be produced, assembled and tested as electric vehicle battery packs, and demonstrated and tested in-vehicle. Staff recommends AQMD’s participation in this contract with a co-funding of $150,000. Trojan’s co-funding will be $241,000. Committee Chair Hal Bernson polled the Committee for questions or opposition. No opposition being heard, this item was unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
7. Final Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiative No. 7
   A final 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 - There was no public comment.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:50 p.m.

Attachments

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

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Attachment A - Attendance

Final Status Report
July 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.

This will be the final report on Environmental Justice Initiative No. 7. The short-term actions have been completed and the long-term goals are under way. Staff will report back to the Board on a periodic basis as major milestones are reached.

Support Funding Incentives

EJ-7 proposed support of statewide funding initiatives to provide incentives for the implementation of low emission, heavy-duty vehicles and equipment.

• The Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Attainment Program (Carl Moyer Program) was codified in AB 1571 (Villaraigosa). This legislation established the criteria for providing incentives for the purchase of low emission heavy-duty vehicles and equipment and establishing fueling infrastructure. AQMD has received $19.6 million in 1998-2000 for the Carl Moyer Program, and should receive about $21 million in 2000-01.
  
  
• The 2000-01 state budget included $50 million for a clean school bus initiated, to be administered by ARB. The program will include funding for new school buses and for particulate trap retrofits for existing school buses. AQMD should receive a substantial share of this funding.

Promote Technology Advancement

• Staff has initiated several projects to support the development and promotion of advanced low emission technologies, including development of a .5 g/bhp-hr NOx natural gas engine, advanced electronics for natural gas transit bus engines, development of fuel system/chassis integration procedures for natural gas vehicles, and implementation of on-road heavy-duty vehicle demonstrations.

Statewide Coordination

• Staff regularly participates in a working group of air districts, ARB and CEC. This group fosters a cooperative effort among the agencies to implement the Carl Moyer Program.

Coordination with Transit Districts

• Staff continually tracks proposed agenda items at all Basin transit districts, providing input and testimony as needed. Staff has also established a working relationship with staff at the major transit districts to discuss technology implementation and funding issues.

Conduct Public Education and Outreach

• Staff is providing input in support of 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.
  
  
• Staff participates in a number of working groups regarding implementation of alternative fuel vehicle technologies.
  
  
• Staff makes presentations on AQMD programs at conferences and workshops as requested.

EJ-7 included a number of long-term actions. Staff is pursuing these actions and will report to the Board on a periodic basis regarding status and progress in achieving results.

Development of a Second Phase Statement of Principles

• Staff has met with ARB staff regarding the status of the statement of principles and the progress on the diesel engine settlement. Staff will continue to monitor the progress of these activities.
  
  
• Staff is participating in a newly formed CAPCOA Mobile Source Committee, whose purpose is to provide comment to ARB and EPA on future standards and regulations.

Evaluate Diesel Fuel Quality Standards

• Staff proposes amendment to Rule 431.2 to require diesel fuel with 15 ppm sulfur content.

Develop and Apply Mobile Source Credit Rules

• Staff has developed a number of fleet rules directed at reducing emissions from public fleets, and in some cases, their contractors.
  
  
• Rules 1191-93 have been approved by the Board and staff is proceeding with implementation of the rules.

Reduce Emissions from Airports and Marine Vessels

• The Carl Moyer Program has provided over $3 million to support the conversion of marine vessels to lower emitting diesel engines, resulting in lifetime NOx reductions of over 5,000 tons.
  
  
• Rule 1194 proposes to require taxis and shuttles operating at Basin airports to purchase clean, alternative fuel vehicles in the future.

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