BOARD MEETING DATE: May 3, 2002
AGENDA NO. 27

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Technology Committee met on March 22 and April 26, 2002. 
Attached are summaries of the two meetings.

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 participated by video-teleconference. In the absence of Committee members William Burke, Jon Mikels and Roy Wilson, and pursuant to the Procedures for Standing Committees of the Governing Board, adopted March 8, 1996, Committee Chair Hal Bernson appointed Board member Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta ad hoc member of the Technology Committee for the meeting of March 22, 2002 only. The meeting was called to order at 12:05 p.m.

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

APRIL AGENDA ITEMS

1. Approve Issuance of Program Announcement & Application for Zero Emission Vehicle Incentive Program Funding - The statewide Zero Emission Vehicle Incentive Program resulting from Assembly Bill 2061 (Lowenthal) reduces the cost of new CARB certified ZEVs. The AQMD received $2 million to implement the program locally in 2002, with additional allocations on a first-come, first-served basis. The proposed program announcement and application will provide funding to encourage the purchase or lease of new freeway-capable zero emission passenger vehicles.
   Approved by consent.
   
    
2. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development and Demonstration of Fischer-Tropsch Fueled Heavy-Duty Vehicles with Control Technologies for Reduced Diesel Exhaust Emissions - In October 2001, the Board authorized the release of an RFP to develop and demonstrate prototype heavy-duty vehicles fueled by Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) fuel. Two proposals were received, and staff recommends that the contract be awarded to Automotive Testing Laboratories Inc. This project will evaluate the performance and emission reduction potential of an advanced engine design with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems, F-T fuel, and aftertreatment devices that are optimized using a systems approach. On-road heavy-duty diesel NOx and PM emissions could be reduced by at least 60 and 90%, respectively, as a result of this work. Cost to the AQMD for the proposed project shall not exceed $450,000 of the total project cost of $1,300,000.
   Approved by consent.
   
    
3. Establish Fund for Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership (Initiative #3), Recognize Funding from Participating Members, and Authorize Executive Officer to Approve Expenditure for Activities and Projects Selected by Partnership During First Year - The Board, at its February 1, 2002 meeting, approved the Workplan to implement the eight Strategic Alliance Initiatives set forth by Chairman Norma Glover. One of the initiatives is the creation of a Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership to facilitate the advancement of natural gas vehicle technology and deployment. The participating members will pay two-year membership fees to fund program administration, specific projects, and activities to achieve the goals of the partnership. Staff recommends establishing a Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership Fund to receive contributions from participating members and transferring $25,000 to the fund from the Clean Fuels Fund as AQMD's contribution, and authorizing the Executive Officer to approve expenditures for projects selected by the partnership up to $50,000 for individual expenditures and for a total amount not exceeding $200,000, during the first year of its activity.
   Approved by consent.
   
    
4. Execute Additional Contracts to Generate Emissions Credits Under the 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. The Board has so far approved the expenditure of $26,126,786 on projects approved and recommended by CARB. Staff recommends the expenditure of $566,547 from the State Emission Mitigation Fund, and the reallocation of $339,912 from projects approved by the Board on July 20, 2001, for Arrow Tek and Port of LA that were executed for lesser amounts. The new round of emission reduction projects will be for a total of $906,459.
   Approved by consent.
   
    
5. Execute Contracts to Fund Marine Vessel Projects under RECLAIM Executive Order Mitigation Program - There is an immediate availability of very cost effective emission reductions from marine vessel projects. These NOx emission reduction credits are required to be generated under the RECLAIM Executive Order Mitigation program. It is recommended that eight engines be funded for re-powering under the RECLAIM Executive Order Mitigation Program in an amount not to exceed $3.1 million, resulting in estimated total NO_x reductions of approximately 1,070 tons over four years. It is also recommended that 14 engines be funded for re-manufacturing to new engines under the RECLAIM Executive Order Mitigation Program in an amount not to exceed $4.1 million, resulting in estimated total NO_x reductions of approximately 690 tons over four years.
   Moved (Paulitz), seconded (Glover) and unanimously recommended for approval.
   Chair Bernson suggested the Committee consider a consent calendar format for the remaining items. It was so moved (Glover), and seconded (Paulitz) that agenda items #6, 7, and 8 be approved by consent.

MAY AGENDA ITEMS

6. Execute Contract to Cost Share Pilot Demonstration of Residential Fuel Cells - Fuel cells are energy efficient and clean sources of electrical energy. On March 16, 2001, the Board adopted a resolution providing $350,000 funding from the AES Settlement Fund for a residential fuel cell demonstration project, provided a contract is executed by December 16, 2001. On July 20, 2001, the Board approved the issuance of a RFP to solicit proposals for pilot demonstration of residential fuel cells. Total AQMD funding for this RFP is $1,000,000. Due to circumstances beyond staff’s control, the December 2001 deadline has passed, and staff is proposing to award a contract to Fuel Cell Technologies Ltd. in an amount not to exceed $366,149. Funding is proposed as follows: $350,000 from AES Settlement Fund and $16,149 from Clean Fuels Fund. This project involves the use of solid oxide fuel cell technology.
   Approved by consent.
   
    
7. Issue RFP for Development of a Hydrogen Fueling Station Template - At its October 2001 Meeting, the Board authorized the Executive Officer to issue a Request for Proposals for the development of a hydrogen fueling station template. The RFP solicits proposals for templates including equipment specifications, layout, construction guidance and an optimization study for a future hydrogen fueling network within the SCAB. Project funding will not exceed $75,000.
   Approved by consent.
   
    
8. Execute Contract to Co-Sponsor Development and Demonstration of Aftertreatment Technologies for PM Emissions Control of CNG-Fueled Heavy-Duty Engines - In December 2001, the Board authorized the release of an RFP 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. Two proposals were received from West Virginia University (WVU) and Cummins Westport. Staff recommends that one contract be awarded to WVU at this time. Cost to the AQMD for this proposed $550,000 project shall not exceed $450,000. West Virginia University and its partners will provide $100,000 in direct cash contribution. Staff is working with the proposed team of the second proposal and may recommend for funding for Board consideration in the future.
   Approved by consent.
   
   WRITTEN-ONLY REPORTS
   Written-only final reports were presented on:
   
    
9. Cosponsorship of Los Altos High School Solar Vehicle, and
   Approved by consent.
   
    
10. Project to Complete Development of Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
    Approved by consent.
    
     
11. Other Business - There was no other business.
    
     
12. Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.

The meeting was adjourned.
Attachment A - Attendance

Summary of April 26, 2002 Technology Committee Meeting

Attendance: Committee Vice-Chair Leonard Paulitz was in attendance at AQMD headquarters, and Supervisor Roy Wilson participated by video-teleconference. In the absence of Committee members Hal Bernson, William Burke, and Jon Mikels and, pursuant to the Procedures for Standing Committees of the Governing Board, adopted March 8, 1996, Committee Vice- Chair Leonard Paulitz appointed Board member Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta ad hoc member of the Technology Committee for the meeting of April 26, 2002 only. The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m.

1. Execute Contracts for Technical assistance for Advanced, Low- and Zero-Emission Mobile and Stationary Source Pollution Control Technologies - On December 2001, the Board approved the release of an RFP to solicit proposals to provide technical and public outreach support assistance for advanced, low- and zero-emission mobile and stationary source pollution control technologies. Fourteen proposals were received. Submittals have been reviewed. Staff recommends executing contracts with seven technical experts to provide consultation services at a total cost of $185,000 to be funded from the Clean Fuels Program.
   Moved (Paulitz), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta) and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
    
2. Recognize Funds From ARB for Retrofitting Additional Particulate Trap Filters on Diesel School Buses and Award Contract for New Lower-Emitting Diesel School Bus - CARB has re-allocated $1.5 million to retrofit additional school buses in the Basin with particulate trap filters. These funds are redirected by CARB from other air districts that were unable to retrofit school buses with particulate traps. The amount will supplement the existing $1.77 million allocated for retrofitting diesel trap filters on school buses for FY 2001-02. Staff recommends the Board recognize $1.5 million from CARB. Staff further recommends the Board award Redlands Unified School District with a new lower-emission diesel bus in place of Cucamonga School District in an amount not to exceed $86,000, since Cucamonga School District was unable to furnish a valid CHP certificate for their old bus.
   Moved (Verduto-Peralta), seconded (Paulitz) and unanimously recommended for approval.

ACTION ITEM

3. Appoint Replacement Representative to the Technology Advancement Advisory Group - Pom Pom Ganguli, Manager of Demonstration Programs in Science & Technology Advancement, presented the background of the individual proposed as a replacement to the Technology Advancement Advisory Group, Mr. Lee Wallace.
   Moved (Paulitz), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta) and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
    
4. Other Business - There was no other business.
   
    
5. Public Comment Period - Rita Loof of RadTech suggested the Committee fund stationary-source projects as well as mobile source ones.

The meeting was adjourned.
Attachment A - Attendance

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