BOARD MEETING DATE: March 7, 2003
AGENDA NO. 29

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Technology Committee met on February 28, 2003. Major items included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the March Board meeting 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 March 28, 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 Fred Aguiar and Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta were in attendance at District headquarters. Committee member Roy Wilson participated by video-teleconference.

MARCH 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, one of which did not meet RFP guidelines.* This action is to approve multiple contract awards from this RFP.
   Moved (Verdugo-Peralta), seconded (Leonard Paulitz), abstained (Aguiar), recommended for approval.
   
   * Additional sole-source justification for this project has been added since the Technology Committee reviewed this proposal on February 28, 2003.
    
2. Execute Contracts for Projects at the Port of Los Angeles - On June 4, 2002, the AQMD received a grant award from CARB to fund NOx and PM emissions reduction projects at the Port of Los Angeles (POLA), with POLA providing matching funds through a Memorandum of Agreement. The Program Announcement was released in September 2002. Staff proposes to fund marine vessel, PM trap, diesel oxidation catalyst, and alternative fuel projects worth $2,000,000.
   Moved (Aguiar), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta) and unanimously recommended for approval.
    
3. 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 State funds from CARB. This action was in response to the Governor’s statewide program to mitigate excess emissions from peaker power generation units. With CARB’s recommendation, staff proposes the approval of marine vessel, locomotive, and mine haul truck projects using the remaining available funds of $2,352,138. Staff also proposes to reallocate $48,000 from a PM trap project with Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District to Los Angeles County, Department of Public Works.
   Moved (Aguiar), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta) and unanimously recommended for approval.
    
4. California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team Meeting - This report summarizes the California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team meeting held February 4-5, 2003.
   Unanimously recommended to forward to March Board meeting to receive and file.
    
5. Adopt Update of Technology Advancement Plan for Clean Fuels Program and Approve Technology Advancement Annual Report - Health & Safety Code Section 40448.5.1 requires the AQMD to submit an Annual Report covering the past year’s Clean Fuels Program activities to the Legislative Analyst and air quality committees of the State Legislature by March 31, 2003. In addition, HS&C Section 40448.5 requires the Board to adopt a Technology Advancement Plan for the current calendar year. Staff has accordingly prepared the two documents and provided the documents to the Clean Fuels Advisory Group and the Technology Advancement Advisory Group for review, and is submitting the documents for Board approval.
   Moved (Wilson), seconded (Aguiar) and unanimously recommended for approval.
    
6. Amend Prior Staff Recommendation and Award Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program Funding to Foothill Transit for a CNG Public Access Station - At its July 2001 Meeting, the Board authorized a contract with Albertsons to cost-share the installation of an LNG fueling facility, in an amount not to exceed $188,710 from the CEC portion of the Carl Moyer Program Funds. Albertsons is unable to commit to their proposed project before the term of the funding expires. Staff recommends using these returned funds for an application received for the FY 2000-01 Carl Moyer Program solicitation to fund a CNG station with 24-hour a day public access at Foothill Transit.
   Moved (Aguiar), 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. Development and Demonstration of All-Hydraulic NGV Compressor
   
   
8. Technical Consultant Services for El Monte Union High School and Mountain View School Districts
   
   
9. The First Hybrid Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Other Business - There was no other business.

Public Comment Period - Barbara Johnson of ENRG indicated her company had drafted the proposal submitted by SunLine which was referenced in Agenda Item #1. She asked that the staff-requested additional review of this proposal be accelerated, and that she would be happy to provide whatever additional information staff might need to facilitate this.
Vice Chair Roy Wilson requested staff agendize this item and provide an update at the March meeting.

The meeting was adjourned.

Attachment

A - Attendance

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