South Coast Air Quality Management District

California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team Meeting

SYNOPSIS: 

This report summarizes the California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team meeting held October 29-30, 2002.

COMMITTEE: 

Technology, November 22, 2002. Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Chairman communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta
SCAQMD Governing Board

Summary of Steering Team Meeting
October 29-30, 2002

California Environmental Protection Agency
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEMS

On October 28, the Steering Team attended the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) Summit meeting hosted by CARB and US DOE to exchange information about fuel cell activities with partnerships and leaders from around the world. At the Ride and Drive following the meeting, the CaFCP automotive partners demonstrated their vehicles including the newly added Bora HyMotion from Volkswagen which refuels with liquefied hydrogen.

Decisions made include:

• The 2004-2007 Workplan with amendments was approved, based on the previously approved Narrative Plan for the CaFCP post-2003. The CaFCP expects to continue joint activities beyond 2003 with vehicles in the hands of real-world users; continued demonstration of fuel alternatives; and a continuing emphasis on outreach.

• As the Chairmanship position is rotated amongst the Steering Team members by partner category, Andreas Truckenbrodt of Ballard, representing the Technology Partners, was unanimously elected to serve as the CaFCP's vice chair in 2003, and therefore chair in 2004.
  

• The Emergency Response Guide for light-duty vehicles, with comments and edits incorporated was approved. A similar guide will be developed for buses.
  

• U.S. EPA provided an update on their fuel cell vehicle modeling and joint efforts with DOE and DOT.
  

• Implementation of the 2004-2007 Workplan is anticipated to increase demand on CAFCP staff for new and expanded activities that could affect the budget beginning in 2003. Steering team members expressed their desire to stay within the current budget and directed staff to report next time on cost saving options.
  

• The Post 2003 Committee was asked by the Steering Team to reconvene in an effort to identify funding sources, which will assist in attaining the goal of the number of Fuel Cell Vehicles to be placed in California as stated in the 2004-2007 Narrative and Workplan. The committee will be chaired by Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta and will have its first meeting on November 20, 2002 during the Fuel Cell Conference in Palm Springs, California. The committee will report their progress to the Steering Team at the February, 2003 meeting in Palm Springs.
  

• Satellite stations in Palo Alto and Auburn were approved. Ztek will be invited to provide Auburn station hardware and the City of Palo Alto will be invited to provide the Palo Alto site as associate partners. Satellite stations will be expected to operate beyond 2003, preferably through 2007 and be made available for fleet customers. Data on Richmond station usage will be collected and reported.
  

• Key global events and conferences in 2003 were discussed. CaFCP participation at events should be focused on stakeholder outreach.

Following the meeting, CaFCP Steering Team members and staff were invited to attend the dedication ceremony for the Richmond satellite station located at AC Transit with equipment provided by associate partner Stuart Energy.

The next CaFCP Steering Team meeting is scheduled for February 4-5, 2003 in Palm Springs.

Additional information about the California Fuel Cell Partnership can be found at http://www.fuelcellpartnership.org.

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