South Coast Air Quality Management District

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Technology Committee met on August 23, 2002. Major items included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the September and October Board meetings and one information item. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on September 27, 2002 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Leonard Paulitz, Acting Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Committee Vice-Chair Leonard Paulitz and Chairman Norma Glover were in attendance at District headquarters. Since a quorum was not present at this meeting, all items were forwarded for Board approval without recommendation.

1. Execute Contract to Renew AQMD’s Participation in California Fuel Cell Partnership for Calendar Year 2002 - On March 17, 2000, the Board approved joining the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) as a full member. The CaFCP is a collaborative group composed of 19 members of government agencies, automobile manufacturers, fuel suppliers, and fuel cell technology providers. Their primary focus is to demonstrate fuel cell vehicles and increase public awareness of these vehicles. Staff recommends renewing AQMD’s participation in the CaFCP in an amount not to exceed $84,000 for calendar year 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.
   
   
2. California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team Meeting - This report summarizes the California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team meeting held July 16-17, 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.
   
   
3. Reauthorize Funding From AES Settlement to Fund Emissions Mitigation Projects and Transfer Marine Vessel Projects from RECLAIM AQIP to the RECLAIM Executive Order Mitigation Account - On February 16, 2001 and March 16, 2001, the Board authorized emissions mitigation projects for a total of $17 million from the AES Settlement Fund. This penalty settlement was received from AES on a one-time basis. In accordance with the Board resolution, all contracts for projects approved on March 16, 2001 were to be executed within nine or twelve months of Board approval. Due to unforeseen circumstances, several contracts could not be fully executed in the allotted time. Staff proposes reauthorization of select projects for an amount not to exceed $825,000. In addition, staff is proposing to transfer the $1,979,380 marine vessel projects from RECLAIM AQIP to RECLAIM Executive Order Mitigation account and is proposing to transfer $500,000 to the Lower Emission School Bus Program Fund from the RECLAIM AQIP account balance.
   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.
   
   
4. Approve Issuance of Program Announcement for Projects at Port of Los Angeles under the NOx and PM Emission Reduction Credit Program and Execute a Memorandum of Agreement with Port of Los Angeles - On June 4, 2002, the AQMD received a $1,000,000 grant award from CARB under the NOx and PM Emission Reduction Credit Program to fund NOx and PM emissions reduction projects at the Port of Los Angeles (POLA). It is expected that POLA will provide $1,000,000 in match funds. Staff proposes to issue a Program Announcement for $2,000,000 to solicit projects at POLA and to execute a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with POLA to recognize the expected $1,000,000 match fund.
   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.
   
   
5. Execute Contracts to Fund Diesel Particulate Trap Retrofit Projects for Local and Regional Public Fleets Under State Emissions Mitigation Program - On July 12, 2002, the AQMD issued a program announcement in the amount of $2.35 million, soliciting applications from local and regional public agencies to retrofit heavy-duty diesel vehicles with particulate filters. A total of 16 applications were received. Staff recommends making awards to retrofit 581 diesel vehicles with particulate filters. Of these, 394 vehicles will be funded with $2,344,300 available under PA2003-04, and the remaining 187 vehicles will be funded with reallocation of $1,103,300 from an unexecuted contract with California Clean Engine Coalition under the State Emissions Mitigation Program. Total amount of the awards shall not exceed $3,447,600 for the purchase and installation of the 581 particulate filters.
   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.
   
   
6. Execute Contracts for Development and Implementation of Children's Air Quality Museum Programs - The Children’s Air Quality Agenda Initiative #8 directs staff to work with local museums to develop programs to teach children about air pollution and air quality issues. The AQMD Board has approved the funding of seven separate museum projects and two educational outreach projects at a cost of $445,000. This request is to fund two new projects in the Coachella Valley and to provide additional funding for a previously funded museum project. The AQMD cost for supporting the three projects is $34,901.
   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.
   
   
7. Execute Contracts to Develop and Demonstrate Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure Technologies in South Coast Air Basin - By the middle of this decade, an initial network of compressed-hydrogen fueling stations will be needed in the Basin for the early surge of fuel cell demonstration vehicles that are expected to be introduced by major auto manufacturers. In accordance with the Board-approved Technology Advancement Plan 2002 Update, staff proposes to carry out the initial phase of an effort that would establish a network of fueling sites throughout the Basin. Subsequent phases are outlined, together with a preliminary refueling site map, to give a perspective of the scope of the program. Staff recommends executing contracts with Sunline Services Group, Praxair, Regents of the University of California and BP to develop and install hydrogen refueling infrastructure in various AQMD locations in an amount not to exceed $2,065,000.
   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.
   
   
8. Execute Contract to Continue Support of Development and Demonstration of Advanced Home Refueling Appliance for CNG Vehicles - Fuelmaker Corporation will develop and demonstrate an advanced home refueling appliance for CNG vehicles in two phases. Initial development and limited testing has been conducted in the first phase; while more extensive prototype testing is proposed for the second phase. For this second phase, Department of Energy has been requested to allocate $416,000, CARB has allocated $50,000, and Technology Partners Canada will provide $375,000. AQMD funding for the second phase is proposed not to exceed $500,000. Total project cost for the second phase is $1,341,000.
   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.
   
   
9. Issue RFP for Demonstration of Natural Gas Stationary Fuel Cells with Heat Recovery in South Coast Air Basin - Fuel cells are energy efficient and clean sources of electricity but have high manufacturing costs at this time. In order to leverage other available state incentive funding through the California Public Utilities Commission, this RFP solicits proposals for installing and operating stationary fuel cells at an AQMD funding level not to exceed $1,000,000.

WRITTEN ONLY REPORTS

10. Relocation of Solar Hydrogen Facility from Xerox to Sunline

Other Business - There was no other business.

Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.

The meeting was adjourned.

Attachment A - Attendance

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