South Coast Air Quality Management District

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Technology Committee met on October 26, 2001. Major items included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the November Board meeting. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on December 7, 2001 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 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 item #1. Hearing no requests for presentations on other items, Chairman Bernson declared items 2,3, 4, 5, reviewed by consent. However, since less than a quorum was present during this meeting; the Chair and Vice Chair communicated their concurrence and recommendation that these items be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.

INFORMATION ITEM

1. Status Report on Cost Impact to School Districts If Privately-Owned School Bus Fleets and Public School Districts Were Required to Replace Buses with Alternative-Fueled Buses Instead of New Diesel Buses or Retrofitting Existing Buses with Particulate Traps - Henry Hogo, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, Science and Technology Advancement, presented an overview of the status report which was requested by Governing Board members at the September 21, 2001 Board meeting. Both the cost impact to replace school buses with CNG instead of diesel buses, and the cost impact of PM trap retrofits on post-1993 school buses were presented, in a series of four slides. Chairman Bernson stressed the need to eliminate the health risks of diesel in a prompt and expeditious manner. Vice Chair Leonard Paulitz moved this status report be forwarded to both the AQMD's Legislative Committee as well as our legislative representative in Sacramento. Chair Bernson seconded this motion.

November Board Agenda Items

2. California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team Meeting - This report summarizes the California Fuel Cell Partnership meeting held October 16-17, 2001.
   Reviewed by consent. However, since less than a quorum was present during this meeting; the Chair and Vice Chair communicated their concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.
   
   
3. Execute Contract for Development and Demonstration of Two CNG-Powered Midsize School Buses - In May 2001, the AQMD issued an RFP to Develop and Demonstrate Alternative Fuel and/or Hybrid-Electric Midsize (30-foot) School Buses. This action is to request approval to award the contract for the development of two alternative fuel school buses. Total amount of funding requested will not exceed $600,000.
   Reviewed by consent. However, since less than a quorum was present during this meeting; the Chair and Vice Chair communicated their concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.
   
   
4. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development of Low-NO_x Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Engine and Vehicles - Heavy-duty trucks and buses are responsible for an estimated 20% of total NOx emissions in the South Coast Air Basin. Low-emission natural-gas engines produce about half the NOx emissions of their diesel counterparts. NGV Ecotrans, in partnership with Deere & Company and TranStar Energy, proposes to develop a low-NOx Deere 8.1 liter natural gas engine and three heavy-duty vehicle platforms using this engine. The total cost of this project is estimated to be $2,600,000 with AQMD funding not to exceed $800,000.
   Reviewed by consent. However, since less than a quorum was present during this meeting; the Chair and Vice Chair communicated their concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.
   
   
5. Recognize Revenue and Amend Contract to Install Heat Recovery Equipment at AQMD Headquarters - AQMD has an existing contract with C-4, Inc. to install microturbines at AQMD Headquarters. Staff recommends that the Board authorize the Executive Officer to: a) amend this contract to also install heat recovery equipment; b) contract with a vendor to provide maintenance on the microturbine system; and c) apply for incentive money from Southern California Gas Company. This will enable AQMD to reduce its energy costs and receive an incentive that will more than pay for the equipment and installation costs of the heat recovery equipment.
   Reviewed by consent. However, since less than a quorum was present during this meeting; the Chair and Vice Chair communicated their concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.
   
   
6. Approve Transfer of Funds and Execute Contract to Purchase Analyzer to Determine Pipeline Natural Gas Composition - With the recent expansion of the natural gas refueling infrastructure and the greater use of natural gas vehicles as part of the implementation of the AQMD fleet vehicle rules, there is a need to maintain a high quality of natural gas fuel delivered. To assist in the analysis of the chemical compounds including methane found in natural gas distribution pipelines, staff recommends the purchase and installation of an on-line natural gas analyzer to determine the specific composition of the natural gas found in the distribution pipeline. This action is to authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Daniel Measurement and Control Incorporated to purchase and install a Natural Gas Analyzer in an amount not to exceed $45,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
   Reviewed by consent. However, since less than a quorum was present during this meeting; the Chair and Vice Chair communicated their concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.
   
   
7. Other Business - Dr. Chung Liu, Deputy Executive Officer, Science and Technology Advancement, noted that the next Technology Committee meeting would be a combined November and December meeting, and would meet on Friday, December 7, 2001 at 12:00 p.m. in Conference Room CC-8.
   
   
8. Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.

The meeting was adjourned.

Attachment A - Attendance
 

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