BOARD MEETING DATE: November 5, 2004
AGENDA NO. 27

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on October 22, 2004. Major topics included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the November Board meeting and one discussion item. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on November 19, 2004 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

William Craycraft, Acting Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Committee members William Craycraft and Dennis Yates were in attendance at District headquarters. In the absence of Committee members William Burke, Roy Wilson and Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta, and pursuant to the Procedures for Standing Committees of the Governing Board, adopted March 8, 1996, Committee Acting Chair William Craycraft appointed Board Member Jane Carney ad hoc Member of the Technology Committee for the meeting of October 22, 2004 only.

NOVEMBER BOARD AGENDA ITEMS

1. Execute Contract for Laboratory Sample Preparation and Analysis for Naphthalene and Other Selected Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons for MATES-III - In July 2004, the Board approved release of an RFP for sample preparation and analysis for ambient naphthalene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as part of MATES-III. Eight proposals were received and were reviewed by a panel of experts. This action is to execute a contract with Southwest Research Institute for a total amount not to exceed $180,450 to conduct the analysis. Funding has been included in the FY 2004-05 Budget.
   Moved (Yates), seconded (Carney) and unanimously recommended for approval.
    
2. Recognize and Appropriate Funds from U.S. EPA and Execute Sole-Source Contract to Conduct Ambient PM Measurements for Children’s Health Study - U.S. EPA has allocated Section 103 funds to continue PM air sampling as part of the Children’s Health Study being conducted by the University of Southern California (USC). This action is to 1) recognize supplemental Section 103 Grant funds of $125,000 upon grant award and appropriate funds to the FY 2004-05 Budget to conduct PM sampling for the Children’s Health Study, and 2) execute a sole-source contract with USC to conduct supplemental ambient PM measurements for the Children’s Health Study.
   Moved (Yates), seconded (Carney) and unanimously recommended for approval.
    
3. Execute Contracts for PM10 and/or NOx Reduction Projects in Disproportionately Impacted Areas - Under a settlement agreement with Communities for a Better Environment and Our Children’s Earth, the AQMD agreed to allocate $1 million from Rule 1309.1 mitigation fees for emission reduction projects in disproportionately impacted areas, and to establish a special fund for such projects. A program announcement to solicit projects was released on June 4, 2004. This action is to fund various PM10 and NOx emission reduction projects under this program.
   Moved (Yates), seconded (Carney) and unanimously recommended for approval.
    
4. Execute Contract to Perform Evaporative Emission Testing of Gasoline Heavy-Duty Hybrid-Electric Bus - On June 4, 2004, the Board approved release of an RFP to perform evaporative emission testing on a gasoline heavy-duty hybrid-electric bus. Two proposals were received, reviewed, and scored by a panel of experts from the U.S. EPA, CARB and AQMD. This action is to award a contract to perform evaporative emission testing to Automotive Testing and Development Services, Incorporated. The total cost for this project will not exceed $260,000.
   Moved (Yates), seconded (Carney) and unanimously recommended for approval.
    
5. Execute Contracts to Cosponsor Demonstration of Natural Gas Stationary Fuel Cells in South Coast Air Basin - In August 2004, the Board authorized re-issuance of an RFP to demonstrate natural gas stationary fuel cell units in the South Coast air basin. Three proposals were received to demonstrate fuel cell units based on three different technologies. This action is to award a contract to Alliance Power, Inc., at a cost not to exceed $565,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. The California Public Utilities Commission will provide $1,250,000 in cofunding from the Self-generation program. The remainder of the $4,176,325 total project costs will be covered by the proponents.
   Moved (Yates), seconded (Carney) and unanimously recommended for approval.
    
6. Approve Grants to Purchase New CNG School Buses, and Retrofit School Buses with Particulate Traps and Diesel Oxidation Catalysts. - At its September 3, 2004 meeting, the Board authorized: 1) the issuance of Program Announcement PA 2005-01 for the replacement of older diesel school buses with new CNG buses for up to $9,475,000, and the retrofit of 1991-1993 school buses with diesel oxidation catalysts for up to $250,000; and 2) the issuance of Program Announcement PA 2005-04 for the retrofit of 1994 and newer school buses with particulate traps for up to $3,966,000. The application submittal due date for both program announcements was October 13, 2004. This action is to recommend awards for the replacement of older diesel school buses with new CNG buses and the retrofit of diesel school buses with particulate traps and oxidation catalysts.
   Moved (Yates), seconded (Carney) and unanimously recommended for approval.

DISCUSSION ITEM

7. Discussion on Inventive Program for Natural Gas Passenger Vehicles
   Committee member Craycraft solicited input from staff on past and existing incentive programs. Mr. Craycraft suggested AQMD staff work with MSRC on a jointly funded incentive program. The committee directed staff to work on a joint incentive program proposal with MSRC on a 50-50 funding basis for natural gas passenger cars and home fueling system and to bring back a recommendation to the Board for consideration. This incentive program should also reserve 50 percent of the funds for the general public.

OTHER BUSINESS

8. Combined November/December Committee Meeting - 11/19/04
   The Committee agreed to the November 19, 2004 date as an alternative to the regularly-scheduled meetings of November and December to avoid conflict with the upcoming holidays.

Public Comment Period - John Billheimer proposed a white paper on PM10 measurements for aggregate sources to a future Technology Committee. Dr. Liu indicated this information would be presented during the rule making process by Planning staff.

The meeting was adjourned.

Attachment A - Attendance
 

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