BOARD MEETING DATE: April 4, 2003
AGENDA NO. 30

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Technology Committee met on March 28, 2003. Major items included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agendas for the April and May Board meetings and written reports on completed projects. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on April 25, 2003 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Leonard Paulitz, Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Committee Chair Leonard Paulitz, and Committee Members William Craycraft and Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta were in attendance at District headquarters. No Committee members participated by video-teleconference.

APRIL BOARD AGENDA ITEMS
 

1.	Execute Contracts to Develop Production of LNG Fuel in South Coast Air Basin - On October 4, 2002, the Board approved the release of an RFP to solicit cost-share proposals for the production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel in the South Coast Air Basin and directed staff to work with potential stakeholders, including local fleet operators, state and federal agencies to seek further co-funding. Proposed projects must be located within the South Coast Air Quality Management District, have a minimum capacity of 5,000 gallons per day and may request cost-share funds for capital investment costs only. Four proposals were received by the RFP deadline of Tuesday, December 17, 2002. This action is to approve multiple contract awards from this RFP. Moved (Craycraft), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta) and unanimously recommended for approval.
2.	Execute Contract to Conduct Reactivity and Availability Studies for VOC Species Used in Architectural Coatings and Mobile Source Emissions - As a part of the last amendment to Rule 1113 – Architectural Coatings, the Board adopted a resolution to conduct reactivity and availability assessments of solvents present in architectural coatings to assess the feasibility of a reactivity-based, alternative regulatory approach. In addition, there is a desire to further enhance understanding of interaction between the architectural coatings emissions with other emission sources such as mobile sources in the formation of ozone. Staff proposes to contract with CE-CERT of U.C. Riverside to conduct reactivity experiments of various coating materials in conjunction with mobile and other stationary source VOC emissions. Staff recommends funding this project in an amount not to exceed $200,000. Moved (Craycraft), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta) and unanimously recommended for approval.
3.	Execute Contracts for Stationary Fuel Cell Demonstrations in South Coast Air Basin - In October 2002, the Board issued an RFP for stationary fuel cell projects. The proposals received were evaluated by a panel according to the criteria established in the RFPalifornia Energy Commission, California Air Resources Board, the Department of Defense. Based on this evaluation, staff recommends funding two projects: (1) California Cast Metals Association for $701,000 to install up to four 250kW molten carbonate units at metal casting plants, and (2) UTC Fuel Cells for $299,000 to install up to four 150kW proton exchange membrane units within the Disneyland complex. Moved (Craycraft), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta) and unanimously recommended for approval. Committee Member Cynthia Verdugo Peralta referenced the recent press event for dedication of the stationary fuel cell at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and stressed the importance of outreach efforts to educate the public. She suggested similar outreach/press event efforts for SCAQMD’s technology advancement projects.
4.	Approve Expenditures for Activities and Projects Selected by the California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership During FY 2003-04, and Reallocate Budget for FY 2002-03 - On April 5, 2002, the Board approved the establishment of a Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership Fund and authorized the Executive Officer to approve expenditures in FY 2002-03 for projects selected by the partnership up to $50,000 for individual expenditures, for a total amount not to exceed $200,000. This action is to: (1) reallocate funds within the Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership's FY 2002-03 Budget, from Natural Gas Vehicle Summit to the Professional Services account; and (2) authorize the Executive Officer to approve up to $50,000 for individual expenditures selected by the partnership in FY 2003-04, for a total amount not to exceed $200,000 for FY 2003-04. Moved (Craycraft), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta) and unanimously recommended for approval.
5.	Recognize Funding from U.S. EPA and Appropriate Funds to Execute Contract with Port of Long Beach to Retrofit Yard Equipment with Diesel Oxidation Catalysts - U.S. EPA has allocated funding under Section 103 Grant Funds for the Port of Long Beach to retrofit freight yard equipment with diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs). This action is to recognize $75,000 from U.S. EPA upon receipt, appropriate these funds to the FY 2002-03 Budget, and execute a contract with the Port of Long Beach to retrofit up to fifty pieces of diesel yard equipment with DOCs. Moved (Craycraft), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta) and unanimously recommended for approval.

MAY AGENDA ITEM
 

6.

Execute Contract to Renew AQMD’s Participation in California Fuel Cell Partnership for Calendar Year 2003 - On March 17, 2000, the Board approved AQMD's participation in the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) as a full member. The CaFCP is a collaborative group composed of 20 members of government agencies, automobile manufacturers, fuel suppliers, and fuel cell technology providers. The group's primary focus is to demonstrate fuel cell vehicles through on-road operation in California and increase public awareness of these vehicles. This action is to renew AQMD’s participation in the CaFCP in an amount not to exceed $84,000 for calendar year 2003. Moved (Craycraft), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta) and unanimously recommended for approval.

WRITTEN REPORTS ON COMPLETED PROJECTS

Written-only reports on the following completed projects were received without comment.
 

7.	Education Theater Program
8.	SunLine Transit Agency Education Outreach Program

Other Business - There was no other business.

Public Comment Period - Rita Loof spoke as a member of the public and asked if emergency stationary diesel engine emissions have been quantified. Dr. Liu responded that AQMD’s Planning and Rules division had information on this and he would refer her question to that department for response.

Philip Hodgetts of Clean Air Now indicated that periodic checking of charging stations reveals that once the warranty is expired some stations are not properly maintained. He suggested a periodic check is desirable. He also suggested future fuel cell outreach and public relations events be dedicated to the late Dr. Robert Zwieg. Mr. Paulitz indicated that AQMD will consider this after construction of the District’s hydrogen refueling station.

The meeting was adjourned.

Attachment A - Attendance

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