BOARD MEETING DATE: November 4, 2005
AGENDA NO. 29

Technology Committee

SYNPOSIS:

The Technology Committee met on October 28, 2005. Major topics included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the November Board meeting. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on November 18, 2005 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Receive and file.

Dennis Yates, Acting Chairman
Technology Committee

Attendance

Committee Member Dennis Yates was in attendance at District headquarters.

NOVEMBER BOARD AGENDA ITEMS

1. Issue RFP to Facilitate Development and Expansion of LNG Refueling Infrastructure - Recently, several plant/facility breakdowns have interrupted production and delivery of LNG for the Southern California area. This has created significant concerns for public and private fleets that rely on continuous deliveries of fuel for their day to day operations. On October 7, 2005, the Board approved the allocation of $500,000 to facilitate the development and expansion of the LNG refueling infrastructure to assure that adequate LNG supply is available during periods of supply disruption. This action is to release an RFP to facilitate the development and expansion of the LNG refueling infrastructure.
   Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Acting Chairman communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.
    
2. Issue RFP to Solicit Bids from Qualified Vendors to Purchase Global Positioning System Units - In order to enhance enforcement activities on mobile source projects that are funded under AQMD and State programs, staff proposes to install global positioning system (GPS) units on on-road and off-road equipment. The GPS units will record data and also transmit data to the AQMD as needed. This action is to approve issuance of an RFP to solicit bids from qualified vendors so that the AQMD can acquire GPS units at a competitive price.
   Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Acting Chairman communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.
    
3. Execute Contracts to Acquire Marine Vessel Activity Data - In order to enhance compliance activities on marine vessels funded under AQMD and State pro-grams, staff proposes to acquire data collected by ARINC Inc. for the Marine Ex-change of Southern California relative to vessel activity which includes location, movement, and berthing. Staff also proposes to execute a contract with Marine Exchange of Southern California to provide data accessibility service on an on-going basis. This action is to execute contracts with ARINC Inc. in an amount not to exceed $60,000 and with Marine Exchange in an amount not to exceed $5,400 on a sole-source basis from the Carl Moyer Program Fund.
   Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Acting Chairman communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.
    
4. Amend Rule 2202 AQIP Award for Leaf Blower Exchange Program - At its September 9, 2005 meeting, the Board awarded a contract to Pacific Stihl for the exchange of 600 leaf blowers meeting CARB's voluntary “Blue Sky Series” engine standard. Staff believes there is an opportunity to exchange a greater number of units at upcoming events. This action is to provide an additional $135,000 for an additional 900 leaf blower units as part of the original award for a total of 1,500 units from the Rule 2202 AQIP funds. Sufficient funds are available from the first semi-annual period of CY 2005 Rule 2202 AQIP. Emission reductions associated with the Leaf Blower Exchange Program will be credited to the Rule 2202 AQIP.
   Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Acting Chairman communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.
    
5. Approve Grants to Retrofit School Buses with Diesel Oxidation Catalysts - At its July 8, 2005 meeting, the Board authorized the issuance of a Program An-nouncement to retrofit model years 1991-93 school buses with diesel oxidation catalysts. A total funding of $127,500 is available from the U.S. EPA for this pro-gram. Five public school districts applied for 37 diesel school buses to be retrofit-ted. This action is to recommend awards for the retrofit of the 37 diesel school buses with oxidation catalysts, in an amount not to exceed $92,500 and to keep the Program Announcement open until the remaining balance of $35,000 is exhausted on a first-come, first-served basis.
   Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Acting Chairman communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.
    
6. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development and Demonstration of On-Board Diagnostic Systems for Natural Gas Vehicles - On-Board Diagnostic systems (OBDII) are required on light- and medium-duty vehicles to help identify and diagnose emission problems with the increasingly complex engines and emission controls of newer vehicles. Baytech Corporation is a small-volume manufacturer who has developed and certified CNG systems for General Motors vehicles for many years. This action is to enter into a contract with Baytech Corporation to develop engine calibrations and perform emission testing to demonstrate OBDII compliance with their newest CNG system for General Motors full-size vans and cut-away vans. This demonstration will be used to certify the CNG vans for Model Year 2006. The total cost of this project is estimated to be $774,896 with AQMD funding not to exceed $319,615.
   Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Acting Chairman communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.
    
7. Amend Contract to Cosponsor Conversion of Light-Duty Vehicle to Plug-In Hybrid Electric - In May 2005, the Governing Board approved cofunding to convert a 2005 Toyota Prius to a plug-in hybrid and demonstrate improved mileage including zero emissions range. In order to gain the necessary testing, mileage accumulation, and feedback from users prior to offering the technology as a commercial product, additional partners and vehicles are needed. This action is to amend the May 2005 award to include converting two additional hybrids with an option to convert another two hybrids with the next generation of refinements. Each hybrid converted in this amendment will cost $32,500 with AQMD also pro-viding the hybrid vehicle for conversion. Total project costs will increase to $985,000 (including the original award amount of $159,000), of which the additional AQMD requested support for the base cost of the four hybrid vehicles and the four conversions will not exceed $246,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
   Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Acting Chairman communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.
    
8. California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team Meeting - This report summa-rizes the California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team meeting held October 18-19, 2005.
   This was an information item only.
    
9. November and December Technology Committee Meetings
   It was agreed by the Committee Member present that, due to the upcoming holi-days, the November and December committee meetings be combined into one meeting on November 18, 2005.

OTHER BUSINESS - There was no other business.

Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.

The meeting was adjourned.

Attachments

Attachment A - Attendance

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