BOARD MEETING DATE: March 3, 2006
AGENDA NO. 26

Technology Committee

SYNPOSIS:

The Technology Committee met on February 24, 2006. Major topics included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the March Board meeting. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Tech-nology Committee meeting will be on March 24, 2006 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Receive and file.

Roy Wilson, Chairman
Technology Committee

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

MARCH BOARD AGENDA ITEMS

1. Approve and Adopt Technology Advancement Clean Fuels Program Annual Report and Plan Update - As a requirement of the Clean Fuels Program funding, the Technology Advancement Office must submit to the Legislative Analyst by March 31st of each year an approved Annual Report for the past year and a Plan Update for the current calendar year. Staff has reviewed the Clean Fuels Program with the Clean Fuels Advisory Group, the Technology Advancement Advisory Group, and other technical experts. Staff is submitting the Technology Advancement Clean Fuels Program Annual Report and Plan Update for Board approval.
   After much discussion, Committee members indicated they would like the Technology Committee and the Governing Board to provide policy guidance on the re-source allocation for future technology R&D in the Clean Fuels Program Annual Report and Plan update deliberations. Staff was directed to agendize the upcoming year’s programs for the Governing Board.

Moved Burke, seconded Yates, and unanimously recommended for approval.

2. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development and Demonstration of Heavy-Duty Hydrogen and Natural Gas Mixture Engine Meeting Future Emission Standards - Natural gas transit buses have significantly reduced emissions com-pared to other conventional fuels. Further emission reductions from on-road heavy-duty engines beyond the 2010 federal emissions standards will be needed for the region to attain ambient air quality standards. In addition, CARB has requirements for zero emission buses to be part of transit fleets beginning in the 2010 timeframe. This action is to award a contract to City Engines to develop a near-zero emissions heavy-duty hydrogen and natural gas (HCNG) engine for transit buses that at a minimum meet 2010 emission standards with a goal to go be-yond the 2010 standards, at a cost not to exceed $500,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. Total cost for this project is $1,000,000, with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority’s Advanced Transit Vehicle Consortium cofunding 50% or $500,000 of the total costs of the engine development and demonstration project. Staff anticipates up to $250,000 co-funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration to reduce AQMD cost share by a like amount.
   Moved Yates, seconded Verdugo-Peralta, and unanimously recommended for approval.

3. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development and Demonstration of Biodiesel Fuel with Selective Catalytic Reduction - Biodiesel is a renewable fuel derived from plant products. “Neat” or 100% biodiesel and blendings with petroleum diesel have demonstrated reductions in PM, CO, HC, and carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from diesel engines. NOx emissions, however, have tended to increase. The City of Santa Monica is proposing to demonstrate various bio-diesel blends in two refuse transfer trucks. Each truck will also be equipped with a commercial selective catalytic reduction (SCR) unit to reduce NOx emissions. The total cost of this project is estimated to be $280,000 with AQMD funding not to exceed $140,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
   Moved Verdugo-Peralta, seconded Yates, and unanimously recommended for approval.

4. Execute Contract to Purchase Global Positioning Systems Equipped with Electronic Monitoring Units and Acquire Monitoring Services - In order to enhance enforcement activities on mobile source projects funded under AQMD and state programs, global positioning systems (GPS) equipped with electronic monitoring units are proposed to be installed on on-road and off-road equipment. The Board approved release of an RFP on November 4, 2005 to solicit bids from qualified GPS vendors. Seven proposals were received by the RFP due date and AQMD and CARB staffs have evaluated the proposals. This action is to execute a contract with Satellite Security Systems, Inc. to purchase up to 200 global positioning systems and acquire monitoring services in an amount not to exceed $475,250 for a period of five years from the Carl Moyer Program Fund SB 1107 Account for projects paid for by Carl Moyer funds.
   Moved Verdugo-Peralta, seconded Yates, 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 January 24-25, 2006
   This was an information item only, and no action was required.

After considerable discussion, staff was directed to return to the March Technology Committee with a report on District resources committed to the California Fuel Cell Partnership from its inception and all benefits and achievements to the District from District’s participation. After Committee review, staff has been directed to bring this report to the full Board.

OTHER BUSINESS - There was no other business.

Public Comment Period - John Billheimer asked staff to evaluate the effect of ethanol from food operations, as currently included in Rule 219.

The meeting was adjourned.

Attachment

Attachment A - Attendance

Bob Ulloa, Board Assistant	AQMD
Henry Hogo, ADEO, S&TA	AQMD
William Wong, District Counsel	AQMD
Fred Minassian, S&TA	AQMD
Dean Saito, S&TA	AQMD
Matt Miyasato, S&TA	AQMD
Naveen Berry, S&TA	AQMD
Dipankar Sarkar, S&TA	AQMD
Lisa Mirisola, S&A	AQMD
Marjorie Eaton, S&TA	AQMD
Dory Kilgour, S&TA	AQMD
Russell Vare	CaFCP
Joe Gershen	LA Bio Fuel
Rick Sikes	City of Santa Ana
Ron Smith	Adrianaus R&D
John Billheimer	Enviro/Reality

/ / /