BOARD MEETING DATE: June 4, 2004
AGENDA NO. 33

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on May 28, 2004. Major topics included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the June Board meeting and one written report on a completed project. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on June, 25, 2004 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Roy Wilson, Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Chairman Roy Wilson participated by video-teleconference. Committee Vice Chair Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta and Committee members William Craycraft, and Dennis Yates were in attendance at District headquarters.

JUNE BOARD AGENDA ITEMS

1. Issue RFP for Evaporative Emission Testing of Gasoline Heavy-Duty Hybrid-Electric Bus - Gasoline heavy-duty vehicles undergo emission certification of both their engine and their fuel system. Engine exhaust emissions are directly measured in a laboratory. However, unlike light-duty cars and trucks, the heavy-duty fuel evaporative control system is not directly tested because of the large size of these vehicles; these systems are certified through a technical evaluation. Because of this indirect method of evaporative certification and the lack of in-use evaluations, gasoline heavy-duty vehicles may have higher hydrocarbon emissions than expected. On March 5, 2004, the Board authorized the use of returned Carl Moyer Program funds for emission testing of gasoline hybrid-electric buses and marine vessels. This action is to issue an RFP to conduct the evaporative emission testing of a gasoline hybrid-electric bus.
   
   The Committee members asked how the data will be used. Staff indicated that the results will be used to confirm the engineering calculations being conducted for the evaporative emissions certification. In addition, the results will assist in further Carol Moyer Program awards. Committee members asked if the AQMD is required to do such testing. Staff responded that it is not required. However, such in-use testing is of value to all stakeholders. When asked by the Committee members if any other funding will be provided, staff indicated that there is currently no other funding for the testing. The available funds are from the Carl Moyer Program and the testing will directly benefit the Carl Moyer Program.
   
   Moved (Wilson), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta) abstained (Yates) and recommended for approval.
    
2. Execute Contract to Purchase 84-Passenger CNG School Bus and Supporting Services for Purpose of Implementing School Bus Demonstration/Loaner Program - On March 5, 2004, the Board approved an RFP to purchase an 84-passenger CNG school bus for the purpose of implementing a school bus demonstration/loaner program. Three proposals were received and evaluated by a panel according to the criteria established in the RFP. Based on this evaluation, staff recommends the contract be awarded to Bus West for an amount not to exceed $145,000. This award will include services to facilitate the demonstration/loaner program.
   Moved (Verdugo-Peralta), seconded (Craycraft) and unanimously recommended for approval.
   
   Committee members further requested that staff clarify the fueling infrastructure for this project, as well as provide a list of committed school districts and those districts that do not have CNG buses. Subsequent to the Committee meeting, staff contacted Fuelmaker, Inc. and discussed the possibility of providing fuel for the School Bus Demonstration Program. Fuelmaker, Inc. indicated that they are willing to provide a portable unit to the various school districts participating in the program at no cost to the AQMD or the school districts.
   
   It was also requested that staff identify the funding source in all projects brought to the committee.
    
3. Enter Into MOU with SCAG Regarding Participation in Clean Cities Program - SCAG has requested that AQMD enter into an MOU to participate in the SCAG Clean Cities Program. The Clean Cities Program is administered by the federal Department of Energy and implemented at the local level by Clean Cities Coalitions. Participation is voluntary.
   Moved (Craycraft), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta), and unanimously recommended for approval.
    
4. Issue Program Announcement and Establish $1 Million Special Fund for PM10 or NOx Reduction Projects in Disproportionately Impacted Areas - Under Rule 1309.1 power plants have paid the AQMD mitigation fees for the privilege of obtaining PM10 credits from the AQMD's Priority Reserve. These fees are to be used for PM10 reduction projects. By settlement agreement in CBE; OCE v. SCAQMD, U.S. District Court Case No. 03-06985 WMB (CTx), the AQMD agreed to allocate $1 million of these funds to emission reduction projects in disproportionately impacted areas and to establish a special fund for such projects. This action is to take $1 million from the 1309.1 Priority Reserve Fund and create a special fund for PM10 and/or NOx Reduction Projects in disproportionately impacted areas, and to release a Program Announcement to solicit such emission reduction projects for funding.
   Moved (Craycraft), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta) and unanimously recommended for approval.
    
5. California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team Meeting - This report summarizes the California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team meeting held April 20-21, 2004.
   Moved (Verdugo-Peralta), seconded (Yates), and unanimously recommended to receive and file this report.

WRITTEN REPORT ON COMPLETED PROJECTS

A written-only report on the following completed project was presented.

6. Interactive fuel Cell Exhibit – Implementation

Other Business - There was no other business.

Public Comment Period - There were no public comments.

The meeting was adjourned.

Attachment A - Attendance

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