BOARD MEETING DATE: April 5, 2002
AGENDA NO. 31

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Technology Committee met on February 22, 2002. Major items included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the March and April Board meetings. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on March 22, 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 member Roy Wilson participated by video-teleconference.

Committee Chair Bernson suggested the Committee consider a consent calendar format for this meeting, with the exception of agenda item #4. Hearing no objections, agenda items #1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 were approved by consent.

1. California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team Meeting - This report summarizes the California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team meeting held January 29-30, 2002 in Sacramento.
   Approved by consent.
   
    
2. Approve Issuance of Program Announcement & Application for FY 2001-02 Lower-Emission School Bus Retrofit Program Funding - The State’s FY 2001-02 Budget contains $16 million for the Lower-Emission School Bus Program. The AQMD has received $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 school bus replacement component of the program was issued on December 21, 2001. The purpose of the proposed program announcement and application is to solicit requests for funding up to a total of $1.77 million to retrofit school buses with particulate traps.
   Approved by consent.
   
    
3. 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 the CARB. This action was in response to the Governor’s statewide program to mitigate excess emissions from peaker power generation units. The Board has so far approved the expenditure of $23,497,462, on projects approved and recommended by CARB. Staff recommends the reallocation of $1,049,745 from two unexecuted contracts by Tudor, and Cattrac Construction Companies for projects approved by the Board on September 21, 2001, and the expenditure of $1,579,579 from the State Emissions Mitigation Fund on a new round of emission reduction projects for a total of $2,629,324.
   Approved by consent.
   
    
4. Approve Grants to Public School Districts to Purchase Lower-Emitting Diesel and Alternative Fuel School Buses and Infrastructure Under Lower-Emission School Bus Replacement Program for FY 2001-02 - The AQMD Program Announcement & Application PA2002-03 "Lower-Emission School Bus Program" was issued on December 21, 2001 to replace older school buses with new alternative fuel and lower-emitting diesel buses. A total of 32 applications were received. Staff recommends the approval of the school bus replacement awards for 39 CNG and 20 lower-emitting diesel buses in an amount not to exceed $6.841 million, comprised of $5.841 million from the Lower-Emission School Bus Fund, and $1 million from the AES Settlement Projects Fund set aside for the Adopt-a-School Bus Foundation. Staff also recommends an increase in the sales tax allocation for buses awarded in FY 2000-01 by a quarter of a percent in an amount not to exceed $48,067 due to increase in sales tax rate.
   Moved (Glover), seconded (Paulitz) and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
    
5. Modify Contracts Executed Under FY 1999-00 Carl Moyer Program - Under the CARB’s FY 1999-00 Carl Moyer Program, ENRG (formerly Pickens Fuel Corporation) was awarded infrastructure development funding for five stations. Negotiations with two of those stations have been terminated. ENRG is requesting that the funding awarded for these two sites be transferred to two new sites for which contracts are being negotiated. The new sites meet or exceed the cost effectiveness and fuel throughput requirements set forth under the Carl Moyer Program. Staff recommends approval of a no-cost contract amendment allowing the Carl Moyer Funds to be used for these two new stations.
   Approved by consent.
   
    
6. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development and Demonstration of One CNG-Powered Midsize School Bus and Demonstrate Two Smaller CNG School Buses - At present, major manufacturers commercially offer 40 foot school buses with alternative fuel engines, but none offer any alternative fuel midsize (approximately 30 foot) school buses. AQMD, in conjunction with the Ford Motor Company, ARBOC Ltd., and ENRG, Inc. will develop and demonstrate one 30 foot CNG-powered midsize school bus and demonstrate two smaller CNG-powered school buses. The Ford Motor Company is committed to commercializing technology developed under this proposed project, which will assist in lowering NOx and PM emissions from midsize school buses. Staff recommends AQMD's participation in an amount not to exceed $600,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. Total funding for this project is $1,688,000.
   Approved by consent.
   
    
7. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development of Outreach Video on Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Fuel Usage - Hydrogen 2000, Inc., a non-profit corporation, has been working on increasing public awareness of the benefits of hydrogen and fuel cell usage. Hydrogen 2000, Inc. is proposing to develop a 26 minute video entitled Hydrogen Safety Video - Hydrogen Energy: The Safe and Clean Alternative and a safety booklet to provide information on the latest hydrogen refueling; fuel cell, and safety technologies. Staff recommends that AQMD cosponsor this project in an amount not to exceed $45,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. AQMD would be joined by the US Department of Energy, Natural Resources Canada, and Energy Advancement Association of Japan in this project. Total project cost is estimated at $240,000.
   Approved by consent.
   
    
8. Execute Contract with California Science Center Foundation for Construction and Implementation of Fuel Cell Exhibit As Part of Transportation Gallery of Creative World Exhibition - Staff has worked with local museums to develop programs to educate children about air pollution and air quality issues. This exhibit at the California Science Center in Los Angeles incorporates a working fuel cell demonstration and a full-size model fuel cell car. The exhibit will explain car components, fuel cell operation and provide interactive links to fuel cell technology via website. This project will be cofunded by $100,000 from CARB, with AQMD contribution from the Clean Fuels Fund not to exceed $226,000. Under a separate recommendation, staff is requesting Board approval to supplement funds allocated for the Children’s Museum of Los Angeles project by an additional $1,500 available from the Advanced Technology, Outreach and Education Fund to cover administrative costs.
   Approved by consent.
   
    
9. Execute Contract to Purchase Fuel Cell Demonstration Kits and Hydrogen Outreach Program for Education (HOPE) Learning Packages for Use in High School Education Programs - Staff recommends the purchase of fuel cell demonstration/learning kits for high school classes participating in the Los Angeles City Mayor’s Office, Bureau of Engineering "Design a Hydrogen Fueling Station" contest. These classes were selected and provided through the California Regional Environmental Education Community (CREEC) Network. In addition, the kits would be provided to other high school science classes implementing alternative fuels/fuel cell learning programs. Staff recommends funding in an amount not to exceed $20,000 from the Advanced Technology, Outreach and Education Fund.
   Approved by consent.
   
    
10. Execute Contract with SunLine Transit Agency to Determine Feasibility and Steps to Design Conversion of CNG Fueling Station into a Hydrogen Fueling Station - SunLine Transit Agency conducted a feasibility study outlining the steps that can be taken in the design for the conversion of a CNG fueling station into hydrogen fueling station in the future. SunLine has provided a proposal to the AQMD for the development of a template for such a conversion. Staff recommends that the Board approve the development of the conversion package at a cost not to exceed $51,680. Funding is available from the Clean Fuels Fund.
    Approved by consent.
    
     
11. Recognize Funding from CARB and Execute Contracts for CARB’s Alternative Diesel Fuel Program - Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2061 (Lowenthal), CARB was allocated $500,000 to distribute to local air districts to pay for the incremental cost of alternative diesel fuel used in heavy-duty vehicles and equipment. These diesel-fuel-water emulsions can reduce NOx emissions by at least 10 percent and particulate matter emissions by at least 60 percent. Following a solicitation, CARB awarded the AQMD a grant in the amount of $177,100 for three alternative diesel fuel projects. Staff recommends executing contracts with Pacific Harbor Line ($8,100), General Petroleum ($69,000), and Maersk Pacific, Ltd. ($100,000).
    Approved by consent
    
     
12. Other Business - There was no other business.
    
     
13. Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.

The meeting was adjourned.
Attachment A - Attendance
 

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