BOARD MEETING DATE: January 2, 2007
AGENDA NO. 28
Overview of the Clean Cities Programs within the AQMD Boundaries
SYNOPSIS:
At its July 11, 2003 meeting, the Board directed staff to regularly report back the activities of the Clean Cities Coalitions in the South Coast District to understand what the coalitions are doing and how AQMD can leverage their participation, and their outreach to the communities. This letter summarizes the current and recent activities of the local Clean Cities Coalitions.
COMMITTEE:
Technology, January 26, 2007, Reviewed
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
The Clean Cities program was created in 1992, and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The Clean Cities Program supports public-private partnerships that deploy alternative fuel vehicles and build supporting alternative fuel infrastructure. The mission of the Clean Cities Program is to enhance our nation's energy security and air quality by supporting public and private partnerships that deploy clean-burning AFVs and build their associated fueling infrastructure. The Clean Cities Program main goals are:
- One million AFVs operating exclusively on alternative fuels by 2010.
- One billion gasoline gallon equivalents per year used in AFVs by 2010.
Unlike traditional command-and-control programs, Clean Cities takes a unique, voluntary approach to AFV development, working with coalitions of local stakeholders to help develop the AFV industry. The program thrives on strong local initiatives and a flexible approach to building alternative fuels markets, providing participants with options to address problems unique to their cities and fostering partnerships to help overcome them.
AQMD Participation
There are five clean cities coalitions in the local area and the AQMD is a member of all five. AQMD has coordinated with the local Clean Cities Coalitions to assist in disseminating the Carl Moyer Program information and holding workshops.
The AQMD has also sponsored Clean Cities events, such as “Car Care for Clean Air” and “Advancing the Choice”. The AQMD sponsored the Southern California Clean Vehicle Technology + Expo in October 2006, which was attended by over 500 public and private fleet vehicle operators, representatives from 35 cities and all four counties in the region. The Expo was recognized by U.S. DOE as a National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Odyssey Day event.
Coalition Activities
The local coalitions have provided the following information on their current activities and are presented in order of coalition establishment.
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Clean Cities Coalition
The SCAG Coalitionhas been very active. Currently, SCAG is preparing for the 2006 Clean Cities Survey for U.S. DOE to determine the amount of AFV’s being operated within the region. Additionally, SCAG’s coalition led an effort to garner support from various cities within the region to post direction signs to CNG refueling stations.
The coordinator has participated in various conferences and information exchanges such as traveling to Washington DC to discuss the changes and challenges faced by U.S. DOE Clean Cities staff and their national coordinators; and the 2006 Clean Cities Peer Exchange Conferences in Sacramento to develop a cohesive strategy for the Western region.
The Coalition has also sponsored outreach events such as the 2006 Odyssey Day at Rio Hondo College. This effort was toinform educators and students about the importance of alternative fueled vehicles and their positive impact on the environment and potential career paths. Additionally, the Coalition sponsored the 2006 AltCar Show with the City of Santa Monica. The intent of this event was to inform the general public of AFV’s choices currently available. A ride and drive was also part of this event.
SCAG’s coordinator is a member of the planning committee for the 2007 AFVI’s Conference to be held in Anaheim in 2007 (formerly the Clean Cities National Conference). She is also working on the planning committees for the 2007 California Contract Cities State Convention, and 2007 Rio Hondo College and Clean Cities Outreach to Educators and Students.
Los AngelesCity Clean Cities Coalition
The last annual survey identified 2,259 alternative fuel vehicle/hybrid electric vehicles (AFV/HEV) in the City’s fleet of vehicles. The next annual city-wide survey will be performed during February 2007. When last surveyed, the City had 786 hybrid sedans and 931 CNG/LNG vehicles. During the first half of the 2006/2007 fiscal year, the City received grants from the Carl Moyer and the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) to partially fund the purchase of a total 82 diesel emission control devices for installation on existing refuse collection vehicles.
The MSRC awarded the City partial funding for upgrading a street sweeper repair shop on 7th Street to accommodate maintenance of CNG street sweepers. In addition, the South Los Angeles LNG/LCNG refueling facility opened in 2006, with a 45,000 LNG gallon, plus a 72,000 LCNG scf storage capacity.
During the first half of this fiscal year, ten newsletter articles were published that included the subject of alternative fuel technology and mobile source air quality issues, with over 18,000 readers reached via website visits and paper distribution. The City held meetings and/or distributed grant funding and regulatory update notices to the City’s fleet manager group on Carl Moyer and other funding opportunities, as well as provided regulatory updates for CARB and AQMD rulings.
In the summer and fall of 2006, the City participated in several major alternative fuel outreach events, reaching over 26,000 people. These events included the following: 1) Clean Cities and City of Los Angeles alternative fuel literature distribution at the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Concert at the Hollywood Bowl (15,000 in attendance); 2) an alternative fuel car display and associated literature distribution at a local Odyssey Day Event at Rio Hondo College in Whittier (500 in attendance); 3) similar participation at a California Fuel Cell Partnership Hydrogen Seminar in Torrance (91 in attendance); 4) attendance at a regional Odyssey Day event, “Southern California Clean Vehicle Technology Expo” and conducting an associated training session on maintenance facility upgrades to accommodate alternative fuel vehicles; and 5) partial sponsorship and support for the “Santa Monica Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Transportation Expo” by participating in a press event at Santa Monica Pier, providing funding for and manning a local Clean Cities information booth (SCAG and LA Coalitions present), displaying City of LA alternative fuel vehicles, and conducting an associated ride and drive (11,000 in attendance). The Clean Cities Coordinator participated in a series of informational website broadcasts offered by the Western Regional, U.S. DOE Coordinator
The Western Riverside County Clean Cities Coalition (WRCCCC)
The Western Riverside County Clean Cities Coalition hosted two stakeholder meetings with jurisdictional Fleet Operators, Public Works Directors, School Districts, Health Organizations, Alternative/Advanced Technology Providers and concerned citizens to discuss funding, technology, legislative updates associated with air quality.
Presenters include representatives from the AQMD, MSRC, The Gas Company, Clean Fuels USA, Clean Air Now, Clean Energy, American Honda, University of California, Riverside, ISE Corporation, Californians for Clean Energy, and the ‘No on 87’ Campaign.
The Coalition also hosted a Riverside County Asthma Coalition meeting as well as one of CARB’s workshops regarding the 2007 ‘Fleet Rule for Municipalities and Utilities’ to assist agencies with their compliance efforts. In addition to an expansive overview of the Fleet Rules this presentation also included record keeping and vehicle labeling requirements. Attendees had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with CARB staff, retrofit, re-power equipment and alternative fuel alternative providers.
In addition, the Coalition participated in several events and meetings including South Coast AQMD’s “Southern California Clean Vehicle Technology Expo,” City of Riverside’s “Go Green!” hydrogen fair, Riverside County’s “Celebration of Children Cesar Chavez Health Fair,” “Yes on 87” press event in the City of Riverside, “Greening of Riverside County” public meeting and the “Corona Business Expo,” “California Trucking Association’s International Trucking Show,” CEC’s “California Electricity and Air Quality” conference, and “Riverside County Asthma Coalition.”
Many of these events afforded Coalition staff the opportunity to disseminate vital air quality information and showcase their CNG Honda Civic at events to help educate the public and answer questions about the incentives of driving an alternative fuel vehicle.
The Regional Air Quality Task Force, a program administered by the Coalition and comprised of representatives from South Coast AQMD and other regional agencies, developed a brochure for the trucking industry that provides information regarding health effects of diesel PM, measures that can reduce PM caused by idling, and includes a map of designated truck routes and/or authorized truck parking.
In October 2006, the Coalition received a South Coast AQMD Clean Air Award in the category of Public Education on Air Quality Issues for our “Car Care for Clean Air” community events program. The “Car Care for Clean Air” community events are annual events designed to increase public awareness about the benefits of preventive maintenance and feature a free vehicle check lane which conducts vehicle inspections as well as emissions testing and provides the results of the tests to motorists. In addition to the vehicle check lane, public service providers and private businesses of Riverside County are able to share their tools and resources to get residents involved.
This year, Western Riverside County Clean Cities Coalition visited ten middle schools totaling to over 2,000 students to give assemblies and classroom presentations regarding the ins and outs of air quality. The subject matter includes the geographic characteristics of the South Coast Air Basin, the chemical dynamics of ozone and its behavior in the different layers of the atmosphere, indoor and outdoor air quality, energy and motor vehicle pollution (with special emphasis placed on complete versus incomplete combustion), alternative fueled vehicles, advanced technology vehicles and solutions students can implement to remedy air quality problems caused by harmful sources. During the presentation, students receive an activity guide called Air Quality Extraordinaire, which follows the presentation points and includes additional air quality subject matter on a more in depth level.
The Coalition has partnered with American Honda to promote alternative fuels and vehicles at their outreach events. American Honda Motor Corporation recently presented the keys to a 2007 Honda Civic GX to the Coalition.
Long Beach Clean Cities Coalition
The Long Beach Coalition has a new coordinator Ms. Vivian Ozuna. Staff is not aware of any Coalition activities within this reporting period.
Coachella Valley Clean Cities Coalition
The Coachella Valley Coalition has a new coordinator Mr. Wesley Cole. Staff is not aware of any Coalition activities within this reporting period.
Additional Support and Resources
Information on the Clean Cities Program is accessible through the U.S. DOE's Clean Cities Hotline (1-800-CCITIES), the Clean Cities program managers at all of U.S. DOE's regional offices for help with local alternative fuels market development efforts, the Alternative Fuels Hotline at 800-423-1DOE, or visit the Alternative Fuels Data Center. The Clean Cities Home page can be accessed at http://www.ccities.doe.gov/ . The following sources offer volumes of helpful information, examples include:
- Clean Cities Vehicle Support Guidelines
Chart outlines the levels of support DOE offers for various types of AFVs. - Vehicle Buyer's Guide for Fleets Incentives and Laws
Funding resource guide with up-to-date information about how and where stakeholders can find funding for AFV-related programs. - Alternative Fuel News
Free to Clean Cities coordinators, this quarterly magazine features news and developments in the Clean Cities Program. - The Clean Cities Facts
This fact sheet covers the nuts and bolts of the Clean Cities Program and includes a map that displays the program participants.
AQMD Future Participation
AQMD staff continues to participate in the Clean Cities Program. Currently, the clean cities coalitions are assisting in the Carl Moyer Program outreach. Staff is a member of the national conference committee for the, 13th Annual Alternative Fuels and Vehicles National Conference + EXPO to be held in Anaheim on April 1st through 4th of this year. Additionally, in the next few months, staff will be participating in coalition annual meetings and other special events such as the annual Advancing the Choice events.