BOARD MEETING DATE: September 8, 2006
AGENDA NO. 33

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on July 28, 2006.  Major topics included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the September Board meeting.  A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided.  The next Technology Committee meeting will be on September 22, 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 Members William Burke and Miguel Pulido participated by video-teleconference.  Committee Members Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta and Dennis Yates were in attendance at District headquarters.

SEPTEMBER BOARD AGENDA ITEMS

1. Recognize Funds from CARB and Execute Contracts to Re-power Construction Equipment Under the Carl Moyer Multi-District Program, and Execute Contracts with Interest Funds from the Carl Moyer Program Fund  -  In June 2005, CARB allocated $1,623,926 to the AQMD for construction equipment re-powering projects under the Carl Moyer Multi-District Program. This action is to recognize $1,623,926 from CARB under this program, and to execute contracts with Peed Equipment and Sukut Equipment in the amounts not to exceed $860,000 and $763,926 respectively, from the Carl Moyer Program Fund Account SB 1107.  This action is also to execute contracts from the back-up list of unfunded projects, originally approved by the Board on July 7, 2006, with any interest funds available from the Carl Moyer Program Fund.

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

2. Issue RFP for Demonstration of Refinery Fenceline Monitoring  -  On April 7, 2006, the Board allocated $350,000 and directed staff to prepare an RFP for a demonstration of fenceline monitoring of refineries to be funded with Rule 1173 mitigation fees.  In addition, the Board set aside $150,000 under the BP/ARCO Settlement Funds to develop remote sensing at stationary sources.  The pilot program will involve design, installation and operation of fenceline monitoring at a refinery.  The project will demonstrate the feasibility of using fenceline monitoring and remote sensing to alert local schools of high air pollution levels.  This action is to issue an RFP in an amount not to exceed $500,000 for the fenceline monitoring with $350,000 of Rule 1173 Mitigation Funds and $150,000 under the BP/ARCO Settlement Funds.

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

3. Extend Term of Current Interagency Agreement with State of California Department of General Services to Purchase Natural Gas for Operation of Microturbines at AQMD Headquarters  -  At its July 2002 meeting, the Board authorized the Chairman to execute an Interagency Agreement with the State of California Department of General Services (DGS) to purchase natural gas for the operation of microturbines at AQMD Headquarters for a one year period with the option to renew annually for four additional years. Since then DGS has provided AQMD with competitively priced natural gas service and is now offering AQMD the option to renew for a five year contract. This action is to continue to utilize the State of California DGS Natural Gas Services Program to provide this natural gas service. The estimated annual gas cost is $88,000, but should result in an overall net electricity and gas cost savings of more than $42,000 per year, based on current energy costs.

Staff was directed to look into the feasibility of adding additional microturbines to the District as they become available.

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

4. Recognize and Appropriate Funds from U.S. EPA and Caltrans, and Execute Contracts to Develop and Demonstrate Three Exhaust After-Treatment Systems for Locomotive Engines  -  Emissions from locomotives and train operations are expected to remain considerable in the South Coast Air Basin because of the anticipated economic growth in the region, especially at the two ports of San Pedro Bay.  In 1997, the U.S. EPA adopted emission standards for locomotives which do not require exhaust after-treatment such as catalysts or particulate filters.  However, advancements in emission control show that such technologies are feasible for locomotives and would help to attain ambient standards in the basin.  This action is to: 1) recognize revenue upon receipt of the award and appropriate funds to the FY 2006-07 Budget of $200,000 and $380,000 from U.S. EPA and Caltrans, respectively; and 2) execute contracts for three projects which involve exhaust after-treatment on three different types of locomotive engines.  The total funding cost for these three projects is not to exceed $726,591.  Co-funding of $580,000 from U.S. EPA and Caltrans is available with the remaining funds from the Rule 1309.1 Priority Reserve.

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

5. Issue RFP for New Natural Gas Fueling Station Infrastructure at School Districts/Joint Power Authorities and Issue Sole Source Award to Offset CNG Infrastructure Costs  -  The AQMD has funded the replacement of older diesel buses with new lower-emitting diesel or CNG buses through the Lower-Emission School Bus Program.  Although funding of up to 10 percent of the award amount for each new CNG bus was made available for CNG fueling infrastructure, additional funds are needed to help school districts expand their clean fuel bus fleets.  This action is to: 1) issue an RFP to assist school districts in establishing additional natural gas fueling infrastructure at a total cost not to exceed $2,000,000 from the Clean Fuels, Rule 1309.1 and AES Settlement Funds; and 2) award Downey Unified School District $108,000 to offset CNG infrastructure costs.  Previous funding commitments where funds are no longer needed (called “turn-back” funds) will be used to augment this solicitation.

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

6. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Outreach Project for Innovative Schools Advancing Air Quality  -  Innovative Schools Advancing Air Quality (ISAAQ) is an organization of high school teachers in Southern California who educate students on the importance of advancing clean alternative energy for the future of transportation.  The ISAAQ is requesting funding to re-initiate the ZEV Challenge competition and expand the program to three years to provide high school students the opportunity to design, build and compete with electric and solar vehicles.  This action is to support the ISAAQ program at a cost not to exceed $63,000 from Clean Fuels Funds.

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

7. California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team Report and Quarterly Activity Report  -  On May 5, 2006, the Board approved the proposal to renew membership in the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) for 2006 and requested that the CaFCP provide detailed quarterly reports on CaFCP activities to the Board in a format similar to the Monthly Public Affairs Report.  This report summarizes the California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team meeting held July 18-19, 2006 and provides an activity report for April through June 2006.

This was an information item with no action necessary.

OTHER BUSINESS  -  Committee Member Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta requested staff to provide an update of projects evaluated for the BP settlement money that were going to be funded from other sources. 

Public Comment Period  -  There was no Public Comment.

The meeting was adjourned.

Attachment
A  -  Attendance

Attachment A –
Attendance

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

Rhonda Reyes, Board Assistant...................................................... AQMD

Chung Liu, DEO, S& TA............................................................... AQMD

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

William Wong, District Counsel..................................................... AQMD

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

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

Arun Roychowdhury, S& TA.......................................................... AQMD

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

Mike Bogdanoff, S& TA............................................................... AQMD

Lisa Mirisola, S& TA................................................................... AQMD

Howard Lang, S& TA................................................................... AQMD

Donna Vernon, S& TA.................................................................. AQMD

Jamie Cruz, S& TA..................................................................... AQMD

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

Russell Vare, CaFCP.................................................................... AQMD

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