BOARD MEETING DATE: December 5, 2003
AGENDA NO. 25

California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team Meeting

SYNOPSIS:

This report summarizes the California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team meeting held
October 21-22, 2003.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, November 21, 2003, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file the attached report.

Leonard Paulitz
Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta
SCAQMD Governing Board

Summary of Steering Team Meeting
October 21-22, 2003

CalEPA, Coastal Hearing Room
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
 

On October 20, a meeting of the E-Team, which includes Steering Team and environmental group representatives, was held to discuss the type of involvement that environmental representatives will have in the CaFCP and identify potential areas of and methods for interaction.

SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEMS

• This was the last Steering Team meeting chaired by Alan Lloyd, CARB; Firoz Rasul, Ballard, who is currently Vice-Chair, will be Chair for 2004. The Steering Team unanimously elected Alan Weverstad of GM as Vice-Chair for 2004.
• Paul Skalny, U.S. Department of Defense, presented information about DOD programs highlighting their interests in fuel cells in auxiliary power units, coordination with DOE to demonstrate fuel cell vehicles on military bases, and their desire to move fuel cell propulsion from civilian to military vehicles. The Steering Team approved inviting the DOD to join the CaFCP as a full member effective January 1, 2004.
• The Steering Team approved increasing CaFCP presence in Southern California by adding a staff position if approved with co-funding by SCAQMD. The position would report to CaFCP and the position requirements, duty statement, and resources needed will be developed by CaFCP and SCAQMD.
• Proposed CaFCP Goals and Budget for 2004 were approved. The Planning team will meet to implement the new plans by the next Steering team meeting and evaluate the impact on the 2004 Budget.
• The Steering Team approved hiring a technical writer to produce a final report for the Hydrogen Vehicle Facilities Study within the previously approved budget.
• Tom Gross, U.S. DOE, provided a status update about DOE programs and solicitations. U.S. DOE expects to announce awards for their fuel cell vehicle and hydrogen fueling fleet demonstration "Technology Validation" program by early 2004. The first ministerial meeting of the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE) is November 19-21. For more information, visit http://www.usea.org/iphe.htm
• Roger Saul and staff, NHSTA, presented information regarding U.S. DOT safety programs, research plans, CAFÉ implications, and international coordination activities.
• H. Akamatsu, FCCJ, presented a status report on Japan Fuel Cell Council activities.
• Bob Rose, USFCC, presented a status report on US Fuel Cell Council activities.
• Bill Hoagland, Hydrogen 2000 presented their latest hydrogen safety video featuring the CaFCP.
• Working Group teams provided status updates. Honda delivered two fuel cell vehicles to San Francisco, and Toyota delivered two to UC (UCI and UCD). Methanol fueling at West Sacramento will be decommissioned by the end of this year. The results of this year’s OEM vehicle survey were discussed and the timing and approach for a 2004 vehicle survey was approved.
• 16 CaFCP members and 17 fuel cell vehicles (including 3 buses) participated in the Michelin Challenge Bibendum in northern California in September. CaFCP members and staff will participate in EVS20 in Long Beach November 15-19 with a special fuel cell vehicle "Round-Up" caravan from Long Beach City College to the Long Beach Convention Center on November 14 to increase public attendance at the ride-and-drive that weekend. CaFCP members and staff will conduct a special panel discussion on Sunday.

The next CaFCP Steering Team meeting is scheduled for February 3-4, 2004 in Huntington Beach with SCAQMD as co-sponsor.

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

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