South Coast Air Quality Management District

Execute Grant Agreement with the Jurupa Unified School District to Replace their Existing School Bus Fleet with Lower Emitting Buses and the Required Infrastructure

SYNOPSIS:

The Board, at its March 16, 2001 meeting, allocated $3 million from the $17 million one-time revenue realized from the AES settlement to Jurupa Unified School District. The proposed funding together with co-funding from Jurupa Unified School District and other potential sources will be utilized to replace 34 type 1 diesel buses with CNG buses, nine type 2 diesel buses with gasoline buses, and to install the required infrastructure for fueling of the CNG buses. The successful implementation of this program will reduce children’s exposure to harmful diesel exhaust.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, April 27, 2001, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Authorize the Chairman of the Board to execute an agreement with Jurupa Unified School District for replacement of their existing school bus fleet with lower emitting buses in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000 from the AES Settlement Projects Fund with $2,550,000 as partial funding for 34 type 1 CNG buses and $450,000 for nine type 2 gasoline buses.
   
   
2. Authorize the Chairman of the Board to execute a contract with Advanced Transportation Technology Center (ATTC) of the California Community College System to provide Jurupa Unified and other School District staff training in CNG maintenance and inspections in an amount not to exceed $25,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

On March 16, 2001, the Board decided to allocate $3 million of the AES settlement to be used by the Jurupa Unified School District to help fund the replacement of 34 type 1 diesel school buses with CNG buses, nine type 2 diesel buses with gasoline buses and to install the required infrastructure for fueling the CNG buses. The successful implementation of this program will reduce the exposure of school children to harmful diesel exhaust.

The AQMP has identified the use of alternative clean fuels in mobile sources as a key attainment strategy. Alternative fuel vehicles, such as natural gas vehicles (NGVs), have demonstrated significantly lower VOC, NOx, CO and toxic emissions than the corresponding conventionally fueled vehicles. The 1190 rules also require implementation of alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles in public fleets in the Basin. These new rules have set the stage for widespread penetration of clean fuel and low emission technologies.

Proposal

The Jurupa Unified School District (JUSD) has developed a plan to effect the conversion of their existing diesel school bus fleet to CNG and gasoline. In addition, they requested to retrofit an existing 1997 diesel bus with clean diesel technology and to install the necessary infrastructure to support their new fleet. The specific elements included in the JUSD plan are:

• Replace 34 type 1 diesel buses with CNG buses at an estimated cost of $4,420,000 ($130,000/bus). JUSD will provide $500,000 and they are seeking $2,550,000 from the AES One-Time Settlement as well as $1,360,000 to be requested using MSRC funds from this year and next year.
• Replace 9 type 2 diesel buses with gasoline buses at an estimated cost of $450,000 ($50,000/bus) to be funded from the AES One-Time Settlement Fund.
• Retrofit one type 1 diesel bus with clean diesel technology at an estimated cost of $8,000. JUSD is seeking funding from the Low Emission School Bus Program.
• Construct and install the infrastructure needed to support the CNG buses as well as a fast fill island for commercial and other governmental access estimated at $270,000 (20 slow fill fueling sites and one fast fill commercial access site). JUSD is seeking funding by responding to solicitation of the Natural Gas Fueling Infrastructure under the AES Settlement Project Fund and the California Energy Commission Infrastructure Fund.
• Upgrade the existing maintenance and fueling facilities to allow for the maintenance and repair of CNG buses and the installation of an electric point-of-sale (EPOS) system at an estimated cost of $60,000. JUSD has requested funding through the California Energy Commission Infrastructure Fund.
• Provide training to JUSD staff and other school district staff for CNG maintenance, as well as equipment and facility inspections at an estimated cost of $25,000 to be funded from the AQMD's Clean Fuels Fund (30 students total).

JUSD proposes to undertake the implementation of these proposals so that the station is reliable, efficient and user friendly for the commercial fueling customers. JUSD will purchase all the replacement buses specified above from California Bus Sales, and the AQMD will reimburse California Bus Sales upon delivery of the buses. California Bus Sales has a legal status in the State for bus sales and distribution.

Staff proposes to contract with Advanced Transportation Technology Center of the California Community College System to provide training and technical assistance to JUSD staff in the use and maintenance of its CNG buses, fueling infrastructure and maintenance facilities. ATTC will develop training materials, provide classroom and on-site instruction and provide follow-up technical assistance as needed.

Benefits to AQMD

AQMD’s Clean Fuels Program has been active in funding the development and demonstration of low emission, alternative fuel technologies within its Technology Advancement Office. The AQMD has also supported a number of activities directed to commercialization of low-emission alternative fuel technologies. The proposed project will remove 43 diesel school buses and replace them with cleaner buses. It will also provide a commercial access fueling location in the Riverside area that will enhance the conversion of local fleets to CNG by providing a convenient, local fueling site.

Sole Source Justification

Section VIII.B.2. of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four major provisions under which a sole source award may be justified. This request for a sole source award is made under provision B.2.d.: Other circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Officer require such waiver in the best interest of the AQMD. Specifically, these circumstances are B.2.d.(1): Projects involving cost sharing by multiple sponsors.

Jurupa Unified School District will provide $500,000 to this project. JUSD has also applied for funding by the MSRC and will apply for additional funding next year. Co-funding has been requested by JUSD from AES One-Time Settlement Fund, the Natural Gas Fueling Infrastructure AES Settlement Fund, the Clean Fuels Fund, the Low Emission School Bus Program and the California Energy Commission Infrastructure Fund.

ATTC has extensive experience in providing training programs to augment those provided by OEM and installation contractors. The training will help ensure that the facility operators maintain and operate the CNG equipment in an effective manner.

Resource Impacts

The proposed project is partially funded by the AQMD with a special allocation of the one-time AES settlement in the amount of $3 million and $25,000 from Clean Fuel Fund. Total cost for the project is estimated to be under $5.213 million. The estimated funding for this project is listed below:

Jurupa Unified School District CNG Conversion Plan^*
 

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