BOARD MEETING DATE: June 2, 2006
AGENDA NO. 24

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on May 26, 2006.  Major topics included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the June Board meeting.  A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided.  The next Technology Committee meeting will be on June 23, 2006 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file.

Roy Wilson, Chairman
Technology Committee

Attendance:

Committee Chairman Roy Wilson and Committee member Miguel Pulido participated by video-teleconference.  Committee members Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta and Dennis Yates were in attendance at District headquarters.

JUNE BOARD AGENDA ITEMS

1.      Approve Grants to Replace Pre-1977 School Buses with New CNG Buses

The state has allocated $2.1 million to AQMD under the State FY 2005-06 Budget Act of 2005 to replace 15 of the oldest pre-1977 school buses operating in the South Coast Air Basin.  Five public school districts with 15 of the oldest pre-1977 diesel buses have been identified.  This action is to replace these 15 buses with new CNG buses and to cover the cost of the associated infrastructure in an amount not to exceed $2,957,750, comprised of $2,100,000 from the Lower-Emission School Bus Fund, $322,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund, and $535,750 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund AB 923 Account.

Moved (Verdugo-Peralta), seconded (Pulido), and unanimously recommended for approval.

2.       Approve Grant to Install Diesel Particulate Filter on Diesel Backup Generator

Omnitrans proposes to install a diesel backup generator at their San Bernardino facility.  The backup generator meets the requirements of Rule 1470.  However, given the proximity of the facility to a school campus located across the street from the facility, staff believes that the backup generator should be equipped with a diesel particulate filter.  This action is to provide up to $12,500 from the Rule 1309.1 Priority Reserve Fund to cover the cost of installing a diesel particulate filter on this new backup generator.

 Moved (Pulido), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta), and unanimously recommended for approval.

3.       Execute Contract to Expand Reformer System and Upgrade Refueling Station
          in Coachella Valley 

On September 13, 2002, the Board awarded a contract with SunLine Services Group to install and demonstrate a natural gas reformer hydrogen refueling station.  This station has successfully demonstrated the viability of on-site hydrogen production and has fueled numerous vehicles, including two fuel cell buses, a hydrogen internal combustion engine, HCNG buses, as well as numerous light-duty fuel cell vehicles.  The original contract has expired, whereas demand for hydrogen fuel has increased.   This action is to co-fund the upgrade of the existing infrastructure to commercial standards in an amount not to exceed $640,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund, with a total project cost of $1,200,000.

          Moved (Verdugo-Peralta), seconded (Yates), and recommended for approval with
          Wilson abstaining.

OTHER BUSINESS

Ms. Verdugo-Peralta indicated that California did not get a high score on a report card on the state’s lower-emission school bus program.  She indicated that the AQMD should do an outreach effort to inform the public how effective the South Coast program has been.  Mr. Sam Atwood, AQMD Media Officer, was present and noted her comment.

Public Comment Period

John Billheimer commented that the AQMD needs to evaluate the impacts of greater ethanol use not only for transportation purposes, but also, as a solvent in stationary applications.  Staff noted his comments.

The meeting was adjourned.

Attachment
A  -  Attendance

Attachment A - Attendance

Bob Ulloa, Board Assistant............................................................ AQMD

Henry Hogo, ADEO, S& TA............................................................ AQMD

William Wong, Sr. Deputy District Counsel.......................................... AQMD

Sam Atwood, Media Manager......................................................... AQMD

Fred Minassian, S& TA................................................................ AQMD

Dean Saito, S& TA..................................................................... AQMD

Matt Miyasato, S& TA................................................................. AQMD

Naveen Berry, S& TA.................................................................. AQMD

Ranji George, S& TA.................................................................. AQMD

Marjorie Eaton, S& TA................................................................ AQMD

Dory Kilgour, S& TA....................................................................AQMD

Russell Vare.............................................................................CaFCP

John Billheimer.........................................................................Enviro-Reality