BOARD MEETING DATE: January 9, 2004
AGENDA NO. 14
Report on the Clean Cities Programs Within the AQMD Boundaries
SYNOPSIS:
At the July 11, 2003 Governing Board meeting, staff was directed to report back twice a year on the activities of Clean Cities Coalitions in the South Coast District. This letter summarizes the current and recent activities of the local Clean Cities Coalitions. Also discussed is the interaction between the AQMD and the local Clean Cities Coalitions and potential future cooperative efforts.
COMMITTEE:
Not Applicable
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
At the July 11, 2003 Governing Board meeting, staff was directed to report back twice a year on the activities of Clean Cities Coalitions in the South Coast District. This letter summarizes the current and recent activities of the local Clean Cities Coalitions since the July 2003 Governing Board meeting.
The Clean Cities Program draws local stakeholders from the public and private sectors. Represented are local, state and federal agencies; public health and transportation departments; transit agencies; and other government offices; as well as auto manufacturers, car dealers, fuel suppliers, public utilities, and professional associations. Participation in Clean Cities activities is voluntary.
AQMD Participation
There are five Clean Cities Coalitions in the local area; AQMD is a member of all of them. The coalitions in chronological order of designation are:
- Long Beach Clean Cities Coalition – The coalition has contacted AQMD regarding participation and/or assistance in the AFV Day Odyssey April 2, 2004. This event is held across the country to boost public awareness of AFV that are commercially available. Staff will be working with this coalition to plan and sponsor the event. This year they participated in Regional Peer Exchange in San Diego on October 28-30, 2003.
- Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Clean Cities Coalition –The coalition is active in participating in the Carl Moyer program. This year they participated in Regional Peer Exchange in San Diego on October 28-30, 2003. SCAG has been working to recruit new member cities and to provide technical support to its various stakeholders. The SCAG CCC has asked for the AQMD to participate in their AFV Odyssey Event. The AQMD will host the event at the Diamond Bar Headquarters. This event is in the early planning stages and the intent is to present a day long program of information and include other coalitions as co-sponsors of this event.
The SCAG CCC hosted a Clean Cities and Petroleum Reduction Workshop at the AQMD on December 10, 2003. This workshop presented by U.S. DOE and CEC provided updated information on petroleum dependency, usage and information on the use of alternative fuels and infrastructure development nationally, and within the state of California specifically. Additionally, information was presented regarding the upcoming call for projects in the State Emissions Program (SEP) grants. Last year California coalitions received ~$2.4 million dollars from a total of $5.0 million available nationally. It is anticipated that the solicitation will be released December 20, 2003.
- Los Angeles City Clean Cities Coalition – The coalition has a new coordinator, Ms. Karen Higgins. The coalition held a Moyer workshop this year and has submitted an application for funding. They held a MSRC workshop to review all the RFPs released in November. A "Notice of Award" was received from the CEC for the South Los Angeles Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Facility. The coalition will be holding an AFV event in the spring. The CCC has recently received its fifth hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. They attended the Regional Peer Exchange in San Diego on October 28-30, 2003 and the Petroleum Reduction Workshop at the AQMD on December 10, 2003.
- Coachella Valley Clean Cities Coalition - Most recently the coalition was a co-sponsor of the Clean Cities National Conference. In an unprecedented move, the DOE announced that it will be bringing the National Clean Cities Conference (NCCC) back to Palm Springs in 2005. The NCCC has never held the national conference in the same place. In the press statement, it was noted that because the Sourthern California host site was so responsive the Conference would return to Palm Springs in 2005.
The coalition has contacted AQMD regarding participation and/or assistance in the AFV Day Odyssey April 2, 2004. This year the Coachella CCC will hold two events on the same day. The Odyssey Day in the morning with activities at College of the Desert for students and an "Advancing the Choice" event activity geared toward the general public, including potential fleet users. The event will be held at the McCallum Theater adjacent to the campus and will showcase AFVs and hold an information forum to promote the use of alternative fuels and vehicles. AQMD will participate in the planning and will provide staff for speakers at this event.
The Coachella Valley CC coordinator also attended the Regional Peer Exchange in San Diego on October 28-30, 2003 and the Petroleum Reduction Workshop at the AQMD on December 10, 2003.
- The Riverside County Clean Cities Coalition – The coalition is currently working on enlarging its membership to include all 14 cities in the county. Re-designation as a Clean City is required every five years. A re-designation ceremony is planned for February 26, 2004. In conjunction with this event, Riverside County CCC will host an "Advancing the Choice" event to offer one-stop shopping for fleet managers by bringing together vehicle manufacturers, dealers, fuel providers, and equipment suppliers. They have requested AQMD assistance with sponsorship and participation for the "Advancing the Choice" event.
Currently underway is a survey of existing efforts on improving air quality in the region through cleaner-running vehicles. The CCC holds steering committee meetings bi-monthly. The last meeting was held December 16, 2003. The Northwest Riverside CCC will also be participating in the AFV Odyssey Day. They will be observing Odyssey Day by displaying AFVs in front of the city halls of each of their 14 stakeholder jurisdictions.
The Riverside County CC coordinator also attended the Regional Peer Exchange in San Diego on October 28-30, 2003 and the Petroleum Reduction Workshop at the AQMD on December 10, 2003.
AQMD participates in the local Clean Cities Coalition efforts. In the past, AQMD has sponsored several outreach events, such as ride and drives and the alternative fuel vehicle expo. The AQMD has also supported the Interstate Clean Transportation Corridor (ICTC) project. Recently, RFP #2004-02 which contained a funding allocation for support of the ICTC as one of the work products was awarded by the Governing Board to continue support for the next 18 months.. The ICTC has been essential in assisting the Clean Cities Coalitions in attracting alternative fuel fleets and supporting infrastructure. The goals of the ICTC and the Clean Cities Program are mutually supportive.
AQMD was a Silver Sponsor, at the 9th annual Clean Cities Conference held in May in Palm Springs. AQMD staff assisted in bringing the conference to Palm Springs, participated on the planning committee, provided speakers for the event and worked to ensure significant attendance. As noted previously, the Clean Cities Conference will be returning to Palm Springs in 2005 as a result of the success of the 2003 conference. AQMD has once again been invited to serve the planning committee.
AQMD Future Participation
AQMD staff will continue to participate in the Clean Cities Program. Currently, staff is working to identify new ways to assist the coalitions in receiving funding. In the next few months, staff will be participating in coalition meetings, supporting the AFV Odyssey Day, and participating on the National Conference Planning committee. Additionally, staff is exploring ways to assist the local coalitions in the SEP grant process.
Press Release
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