BOARD MEETING DATE: June 4, 2004
AGENDA NO. 36

California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team Meeting

SYNOPSIS:

This report summarizes the California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team meeting held April 20-21, 2004.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, May 28, 2004, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file the attached report.

Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta
SCAQMD Governing Board

Summary of Steering Team Meeting
April 20-21, 2004

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

Steering Team

Firoz Rasul, Ballard

Representatives Attending:

Carol Battershell, BP Dr. Alan Lloyd, California Air Resources Board Jim Boyd, California Energy Commission John Brady, ChevronTexaco Dr. Ferdinand Panik, DaimlerChrysler Eldon Priestley, ExxonMobil Frank Balog, Ford Alan Weverstad, General Motors Joon-Chul Park, Hyundai America Technical Center Ben Knight, Honda R&D America Taro Hagiwara, Nissan Motor Jeremy Bentham, Shell Hydrogen B.V. Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta, SCAQMD Kyo Hattori, Toyota Motor Corporation Pat Davis, U.S. DOE Sam Bonasso, U.S. DOT Chris Grundler, U.S. EPA Jan Van Dokkum, UTC Stuart Johnson, Volkswagen of America Inc.

Prior to the start of the meeting, Governor Schwarzenegger announced his vision for the California Hydrogen Highway Network and signed an Executive Order outlining that vision at UC Davis at an event attended by invited guests, including the CaFCP Steering Team Members and the media.

SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEMS

• The draft document "CaFCP Input to H2 Highway" was approved by the Steering Team for submittal to CalEPA, and next steps were outlined. The Planning Committee members will lead three work groups to develop strawman proposals regarding strategy for locating and networking hydrogen stations, plan to harmonize codes and standards, and public policy strategy to support industry. The proposals will be reviewed by the full Steering Team in July for presentation to CalEPA by August.
• The Steering Team approved the revised Operating Protocols to rename the Audit committee as the "Financial Review Committee" (which plans to meet regularly with the auditor), but did not add academic member criteria.
• Relocation of the Auburn satellite fueling station was approved by the Steering Team to Belmont (between San Francisco and Palo Alto) at a site to be provided by PG&E. Relocation of the Palo Alto site is being investigated. Funding for a mobile fueler provided by Air Products was approved to help ensure fueling availability for CaFCP events. The mobile fueler will also be available to members.
• The Steering Team approved funding for acquisition of a Station Interface Testing Apparatus from GTI to determine initial and continued fuel station operation within temperature and flow parameters expected by automotive members.
• Funding for a "Nozzle Certification Incentive for 2004" was approved by the Steering Team to encourage nozzle manufacturers to expeditiously complete third-party certification of their nozzles and receptacles to SAE J2600 recommended practice.
• Six CaFCP automotive members provided fuel cell passenger vehicles for the Ride-and-Drive event and display at Universal City Walk for the National Hydrogen Association Conference April 26-29. Air Products provided hydrogen fueling. CaFCP also had a booth in the exhibit hall.
• Upcoming activities include CaFCP planning for Road Rally III from L.A. to San Diego September 17-19, and working with Michelin to find a low-cost way for CaFCP to have a presence at the 2004 Bibendum in Shanghai, China.
• Action items anticipated on the next Steering Team meeting agenda include: Bus Data Collection Plan review for inclusion as a Resource document, review H2 Highway strawman proposals for CalEPA, provide legal counsel review of options for creating a legal entity for the CaFCP, status update on W. Sacramento Fueling Station agreement, consider revised request for Associate membership from UC Davis, and Safety Lesson case study.
• The CaFCP Progress Report is available and the CaFCP website has been updated. A new Resources section has been added, with content to be added as developed and approved by the Steering Team.

The next CaFCP Steering Team meeting is scheduled for July 13-14 in Vancouver.

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

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