South Coast Air Quality Management District

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Technology Committee met on December 7, 2001. Major items included an information item and Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the December Board meeting. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on January 25, 2002 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Hal Bernson, Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Committee Vice-Chair Leonard Paulitz and Committee member Norma Glover were in attendance at AQMD headquarters. Committee Chair Hal Bernson and Committee members William Burke and Roy Wilson participated by video-teleconference.

Committee Chair Hal Bernson asked the Committee to consider a consent calendar format for this meeting, with the exception of agenda items #1 and #3. Hearing no requests for presentations on other items, Chairman Bernson declared items 2, 4, 5,6, 7, and 8 approved by consent.

INFORMATION ITEM

1. Status Report on Biodiesel Fuel - Henry Hogo, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, Science and Technology Advancement, presented an overview of the status of biodiesel fuel which was requested by Governing Board members at the April 20, 2001 Board meeting. The composition of biodiesel fuel and how it is used was reviewed, along with its performance in diesel engines, emissions and challenges. In summation, the following topics were covered: potential air quality benefits; the uncertainty of impacts on NOx emissions; proposals for additives to reduce NOx which are currently under evaluation; and the current non-compliance of bio-diesel for Fleet Rules.
   Chairman Bernson recommended continued monitoring. It was moved (Glover) and seconded (Burke) that the Committee not recommend that it be used in Fleet Rules.

December Board Agenda Items

2. Execute Contracts for Development of LNG Refueling Stations in South Coast Air Basin - At its October Meeting, the Board approved release of a RFP to solicit proposals for co-funding the development of LNG refueling stations in the District's jurisdiction using funds from Rule 1309.1 – Priority Reserve Fund. The RFP provides funding for the construction of publicly accessible LNG-L/CNG refueling stations in areas where refuse fleets operate in support of the AQMD fleet rules. Twelve proposals were received by the RFP deadline of Tuesday, December 4, 2001. This action is to approve multiple contract awards from this RFP.
   Approved by consent.
   
   
3. Approve Issuance of Program Announcement & Application for FY 2001-02 Lower-Emission School Bus Replacement Program Funding - The State’s FY 2001-02 Budget contains $16 million for the Lower-Emission School Bus Program. The AQMD expects to receive $5.31 million for the replacement and $1.77 million for the retrofit components of the program allocated for the South Coast Air Basin. (The program announcement for the retrofit component of the program will be issued in the near future.) In addition, at its October 19, 2001 meeting, the Board allocated $531,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund to provide for the school bus replacement program. The proposed program announcement and application will provide funding for a total of $5.841 million to replace older school buses with alternative fuels and lower-emitting diesel buses.
   Moved (Glover), seconded (Burke) and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   
4. Issue RFP to Solicit Projects for FY 2000-01 Remaining Funds and FY 2001-02 Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program Funding - The State’s FY 2001- 02 budget contains $16 million to continue the Carl Moyer program. The AQMD has received approximately $7 million of this funding. This FY2001-02 allocation, as well as unallocated funds from the FY 2000-01 Moyer Program totaling $4.5 million are included in the RFP. The proposed RFP for up to $11.5 million will provide incentives for low emission on- and off-road vehicles and equipment.
   Approved by consent.
   
   
5. Execute Additional Contracts to Generate Emissions Credits Under State Emissions Mitigation Program - At the July 20, 2001 meeting, the Board established the State Emissions Mitigation Fund to recognize up to $30,000,000 in State funds from CARB. This action was in response to the Governor’s statewide program to mitigate excess emissions from peaker power generation units. Funds transferred from CARB are for implementation of local projects within the South Coast Air Basin. The Board has so far approved the expenditure of $19,424,245, at its July, September, and October 2001 meetings, on projects approved and recommended by CARB. Staff recommends the expenditure of $4,073,217 from this fund on a new round of emission reduction projects.
   Approved by consent.
   
   
6. Issue RFP for Development and Demonstration of Aftertreatment Technologies for PM Emissions Control of CNG-Fueled Heavy-Duty Engines - Many demonstration programs are now showing that PM emissions from diesel engines can be significantly reduced with particulate traps. However, no such controls have been demonstrated for CNG engines. The proposed RFP solicits cost-shared proposals to chemically characterize exhaust emissions from CNG engines, and based on this characterization, develop and demonstrate aftertreatment technologies capable of further reducing PM, NOx, CO, and hydrocarbon emissions from CNG engines. Cost to the AQMD for the proposed $850,000 project shall not exceed $450,000.
   Approved by consent.
   
   
7. Issue RFP for Technical Assistance for Advanced, Low- and Zero-Emission Mobile and Stationary Source Pollution Control Technologies - The Request for Proposals will solicit statements of qualifications from individuals and organizations potentially capable of providing expert technical consultation in a variety of specialized areas to support AQMD technology advancement activities. It is anticipated that multiple awards for level-of-effort contracts will be made from this solicitation. Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Fund to support this work in an amount not to exceed $200,000.
   Approved by consent.
   
   
8. Authorize Submittal of Application to Receive Incentive Funds to Assist Agricultural Biomass-to-Energy Conversion in Basin - California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency is providing financial incentives to facilities that convert qualified agricultural biomass-to-energy to reduce air pollution due to open-burn of agricultural waste, and reduce burden on landfills. These grants are made to local air districts, which in turn, grant incentive payments to qualifying facilities. Under the provisions of the program, Colmac Energy, Inc. in Riverside County, is potentially eligible to receive up to $40,000 in incentives for February 2002 to June 2002. Board approval to submit an application to receive funds up to $40,000 is requested.
   Approved by consent.
   
   
9. Other Business - There was no other business.
   
   
10. Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.

The meeting was adjourned.

Attachment A - Attendance

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