BOARD MEETING DATE: March 7, 2003
AGENDA NO. 32

California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team Meeting

SYNOPSIS:

This report summarizes the California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team meeting held February 4-5, 2003.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, February 28, 2003, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file the attached report.

Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta
SCAQMD Governing Board

CALIFORNIA FUEL CELL PARTNERSHIP

Summary of Steering Team Meeting
February 4-5, 2003

Rancho Las Palmas Marriott
41000 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
 

Steering Team

Firoz Rasul, Dennis Campbell, Ballard

Members Attending:

Carol Battershell, BP Dr. Alan Lloyd, California Air Resources Board Jim Boyd, California Energy Commission Bob Dempsey, ChevronTexaco Dr. Ferdinand Panik, DaimlerChrysler John Wallace, Mike Schwartz, Ford Alan Weverstad, General Motors Ben Knight, Honda R&D Americas Inc. Joon-Chul Park, Hyundai America Technical Center Lance Atkins, Nissan Motor Don Huberts, Shell Hydrogen B.V. Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta, SCAQMD Kyo Hattori, Toyota Motor Corporation Tom Gross, U.S. Department of Energy Sam Bonasso, George Whitney, U.S. DOT Chris Grundler, U.S. EPA Vince Callaghan, UTC Stuart Johnson, Volkswagen of America Inc.

SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEMS

• Several new steering team representatives were welcomed: Carol Battershell, BP; Mike Schwartz, Ford; and Firoz Rasul, Ballard. Based on the vote by the Steering Team members and rotation by member category, Firoz Rasul will serve as CaFCP Vice-Chair in 2003 and, therefore, Chair in 2004. New Associate Partner Zetek was also welcomed. John Wallace has retired from Ford and announced that this was his last official CaFCP Steering team meeting representing Ford. Everyone expressed their appreciation for his contributions and their desire to find a way to continue his constructive engagement in CaFCP activities.
  
  
• Tom Gross, from US DOE, provided additional information regarding funding for the President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative and FreedomCAR program. An additional $750 million was proposed by the President over a 5 year period for the FreedomFUEL program.
  
  
• Sam Bonasso and George Whitney, from US DOT, provided an update on their "Role in a Hydrogen Economy and the Surface Transportation Reauthorization" and the "Partnership of Research and Special Projects Administration and the National Association of State Fire Marshals."
  
  
• Kyo Hattaori and Ben Knight from Toyota and Honda, respectively, provided information on their Fleet Launch activities in California. These vehicles are included in CaFCP statistics since they "are operated or placed in California by partners and benefit CaFCP goals and activity."
  
  
• The Post 2003 Committee is in the process of identifying funding needed to encourage more fleet introductions of FCVs. A survey was discussed and decided upon to be given to the automakers as a tool to determine the appropriate level of funding needed to accomplish this goal.
  
  
• A balanced 2003 budget without increased cost to CaFCP members was presented. Members were encouraged to return their completed Statement of Intent (SOI) promptly. CaFCP membership fee for 2003 will be requested as a separate Board action.
  
  
• Major events planned for CaFCP participation this year are primarily in California, but also include a few key national/international events. "Rally through the Valley 2003" is planned from Sacramento over the "Grapevine" to Los Angeles. It is a more challenging route than "Coast Rally 2002" and will travel through central California, a region that has not previously been visited. 2002 media coverage will be provided to members in VHS format.
  
  
• The Electric Drive Transportation Association (formerly EVAA) presented their plans for EVS-20 conference in Long Beach on November 15-19, 2003 and asked for support from the CaFCP members.
  
  
• The Hydrogen Vehicle Facilities Study is focusing on specific hydrogen release scenarios in residential garages. Information from this study can be used by US DOE and others in subsequent studies and provide input for codes and standards activities.
  
  
• Methanex provided information about their methanol and hydrogen infrastructure plans.
  
  
• The SCAQMD helped defray some of the costs of the meeting, arranged for local elected officials to meet with the Partnership members and arranged for a tour of the Sunline Transit facility.

Following the meeting, CaFCP Steering Team members, working group members and staff were invited to attend a tour of Sunline Transit facilities including a ride on the Georgetown bus (methanol fueled with reformer and PEM fuel cell).

The next CaFCP Steering Team meeting is scheduled for April 22-23, 2003 in Sacramento, coordinated with Earth Day activities at the Capitol.

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

///