BOARD MEETING DATE: February 2, 2007
AGENDA NO.34
Technology Committee
SYNOPSIS:
The Technology Committee met on January 26, 2007. Major topics included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the February Board meeting. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on February 23, 2007 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file.
Roy Wilson, Chair
Technology Committee
Attendance: Committee members Roy Wilson and Miguel Pulido participated by video-teleconference. Committee members Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta, Tonia Reyes-Uranga, and Dennis Yates were in attendance at District headquarters.
FEBRUARY BOARD AGENDA ITEMS
- Amend Award for Natural Gas Fueling Infrastructure with OrangeCounty Transportation Authority - At the October 2002 meeting, the Board approved funding in the amount of $1 million to cost share with Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) an expansion to the existing LNG fueling station at its Anaheim or Garden Grove locations. OCTA has recently committed to pursuing CNG fueling for all future bus purchases for fuel diversity and security issues. They will continue to use LNG fuel for the existing buses. This action is to amend the previous award and apply the funds to cost share construction of a new CNG fueling station at their Santa Ana facility, estimated at $5,841,729 to construct.
Moved (Pulido) seconded (Reyes Uranga), and unanimously recommended for approval.
- Execute Contracts for Natural Gas Fueling Station Infrastructure at School Districts and Joint Power Authorities - On September 8, 2006, the Board approved release of an RFP to solicit proposals for funding up to 75 percent of the capital investment costs of fueling infrastructure and garage or maintenance facility upgrades at public school districts and joint power authorities. Total amount of funding available is $2,000,000 as approved by the Board with its September 2006 release of the RFP. Eight proposals were received by the closing date. One of the eight proposals was deemed unresponsive by the proposal evaluation panel. As the solicitation was oversubscribed, this action is to request an additional $526,553 from the Clean Fuels Fund to be used to award funding to seven school districts in the amount of $2,526,553.
Moved (Verdugo-Peralta), seconded (Pulido), and unanimously recommended for approval.
- Approve Grant Award to Colton Joint Unified School District for Purchase of New CNGSchool Buses - Colton Joint Unified School District has applied for eight new CNG school buses and has offered eight of its newer diesel buses to three other schools willing to crush six pre-1987 and two pre-1977 buses. These schools are Fontana, Coachella Valley school districts and Sherman American-Indian High School. Under the Lower-Emission School Bus Program guidelines, Colton Joint Unified can be awarded the eight new CNG buses with a local match of $25,000 per bus for the replacement of the pre-1987 buses, and $10,000 per bus for the replacement of the pre-1977 buses. This action is to award eight new CNG school buses to Colton Joint Unified School District in an amount not to exceed $1,348,408, comprised of up to $1,178,408 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund AB 923 Account, and up to $170,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund as Colton Joint’s required local match.
Committee Member Yates suggested, and Chairman Wilson directed, that a presentation be made to the Colton Unified School District for being the first school district in the Basin to have an entire CNG bus fleet. Staff will work with Council Member Yates office to implement this presentation.
Committee Member Pulido asked, and Chairman Wilson directed, staff to explore the possibility of an international program where other country’s very dirty buses will be crushed in exchange for buses which are being retired under the District’s School Bus Replacement Program.
Moved (Verdugo-Peralta), seconded (Reyes Uranga), and unanimously recommended for approval.
- Approve Funding Allocations under AB 923 for CY 2007, Adopt Resolution Accepting Terms and Conditions for FY 2006-07 Carl Moyer Program Award, Issue Carl Moyer Program Announcement for FY 2006-07, and Modify a Carl Moyer Program Award - This action is to approve program allocations for Calendar Year 2007 funds under AB 923. This action is also to adopt a resolution recognizing $34,549,672 in Carl Moyer Program grant awards from CARB under SB 1107 with its terms and conditions for FY 2006-07, and to approve the release of a Program Announcement to provide incentive funding for low-emission on- and off-road vehicles and equipment for the FY 2006-07 Carl Moyer Program. Total amount of available funds for the program announcement will be approximately $25.5 million, comprised of approximately $6.5 million from the AB 923 Account, and approximately $19 million from the SB 1107 Account of the Carl Moyer Program Fund. Furthermore, this action is to modify a Carl Moyer Program Award
Moved (Verdugo-Peralta), seconded (Pulido), and unanimously recommended for approval.
- Execute Contract to Cosponsor Demonstration and Evaluation of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Utility Boom Truck and Amend Contract For Demonstration of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vans in AQMD Fleet - Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), with project partners Eaton and Ford, propose to develop and demonstrate plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) utility trucks. The program will develop plug-in hybrid technology for the Ford F-550 truck chassis as a utility boom truck with demonstrations at Southern California Edison, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and Pacific Gas & Electric. This action is to participate in this $1.6 million project with cofunding not to exceed $300,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. Additional funding not to exceed $151,950 from the Clean Fuels Fund is also requested to supplement an existing EPRI project to demonstrate five gasoline PHEV DaimlerChrysler Sprinter vans in the AQMD fleet. These five vans are part of a $12 million program to demonstrate thirty pre-commercial PHEV Sprinter vans in fleet demonstrations throughout North America and Europe. The additional AQMD funding will be used to design and modify the delivery vans for passenger service.
Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta recused herself from this vote. Moved (Pulido), seconded (Reyes Uranga), and recommended for approval.
- Execute Contract to Cosponsor Demonstration of Electric Tram at Descanso Gardens - Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge is proposing to replace their current propane tour tram with a zero emission tram as part of their long term vision to become a self-sustaining, alternative-fueled, educational facility. This action is to award a contract to Descanso Gardens to demonstrate an electric tram for transporting guests through the park. The total cost for this project is approximately $121,000, with AQMD cost share not to exceed $96,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
Committee Member Verdugo-Peralta indicated she would like to see this program expanded to include theme parks.
Moved (Yates), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta), and unanimously recommended for approval.
- Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development, Demonstration, and Certification of Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Engine Meeting 2010 Emission Standards - Heavy-duty engines used in vocational market segments such as school buses, delivery trucks, and utility trucks are significant contributors to the Basin’s on-road vehicle emissions inventory. To meet the 2010 Federal NOx standard of 0.2 g/bhp-hr, major engine manufacturers are targeting new vehicles and are not planning to repower existing vocations at the lowest emissions. This action is to award a contract to Emissions Solutions, Inc. to develop, demonstrate and certify a 7.6L heavy-duty natural gas engine that could be used in both repower of existing diesel engines as well as in new vehicles that meets the 2010 standard at a cost not to exceed $400,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. The remainder of the $1.2 million total project costs will be funded by the other project partners. This action is also to recognize funding from Mack Trucks, Inc. in the amount of $50,000 in response to CARB’s request and deposit into the Clean Fuels Fund as partial funding for this project.
Moved (Verdugo-Peralta), seconded (Yates), and unanimously recommended for approval.
- Amend Incentive Buy-Down Program for CNG Home Refueling Appliance - On May 6, 2005, the Board approved matching funds with the MSRC and provided $400,000 for a buy-down incentive program for 400 natural gas home refueling appliances to broaden the consumer base for NGVs. The program specified $100,000 to purchase 100 home refueling appliances through a contract with the home refueling appliance manufacturer, FuelMaker Corporation and $300,000 to lease 300 home refueling appliances through a contract with American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (AHMC). AQMD and MSRC matching funds result in a $2,000 buy-down per home refueling appliance either purchased or leased. All 100 home refueling appliance purchases and associated incentive funds are committed; and while demand for home refueling appliance purchases continues, demand for home refueling appliance leasing is currently negligible. This action is to de-obligate $250,000 from the AHMC (or lease) contract and apportion this amount to the FuelMaker (or purchase) contract; continue the matching incentive with MSRC of $1,000 per leased home refueling appliance and commence an AQMD-only sponsored purchase incentive of $2,000 per home refueling appliance.
Moved (Yates), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta), and unanimously recommended for approval.
- Receive Status Report on the California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership Activities, Approve Expenditures for Activities and Projects During FYs 2006-07 and 2007-08, Execute Contracts, and Recognize Funding from Participating Members of the California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership - On April 5, 2002, the Board approved the establishment of a California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership (CNGVP) Fund and authorized the Executive Officer to approve expenditures for projects selected by the CNGVP up to $50,000 for individual expenditures, total amount not to exceed $200,000. The participating members pay two-year membership fees to fund program administration, specific projects, and activities to achieve the goals of the CNGVP. On April 4, 2004, the Board renewed the AQMD's membership and authorized the Executive Officer to approve expenditures in FYs 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06. A status report on the CNGVP activities is provided. This action is to: (1) recognize funding from participating members of the CNGVP; (2) transfer $25,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund as AQMD’s contribution; (3) execute contract with Gladstein, Neandross and Associates for an outreach award contract not to exceed $50,000; and (4) authorize the Executive Officer to approve up to $50,000 for individual expenditures selected by the CNGVP in FYs 2006-07 and 2007-08, total amount not to exceed $275,000 for each fiscal year.
Moved (Verdugo-Peralta), seconded (Reyes Uranga), and unanimously recommended for approval.
- Issue RFP for Renewable Energy Projects in Communities Surrounding Ten Electrical Generating Facilities - On September 8, 2006, Rule 1309.1 was amended with a new provision specifying the amount of mitigation fees required for electrical generating facilities to obtain credits from the Priority Reserve. As part of the adopting resolution, the Board directed staff to use one-third of the mitigation fees collected for renewable energy projects, including solar power, in communities where the new or modified power plant projects will be located. The current Rule 1309.1 Priority Reserve Fund balance is $15,787,452 from ten different electrical generating facilities. This action is to issue an RFP in an amount up to $5,262,484 for renewable energy projects in the communities surrounding the ten facilities using Rule 1309.1 mitigation funds.
Moved (Yates), seconded (Reyes Uranga), and unanimously recommended for approval.
- Execute Contracts for Rule 2202 AQIP and 2007 Lawn Mower and Leaf Blower Exchange Programs - At its October 6, 2006 meeting, the Board approved release of an RFP to solicit projects to meet Rule 2202 Air Quality Investment Program (AQIP) emission reduction targets for the first semi-annual period of 2006, and to solicit vendors for the 2007 Lawn Mower and Leaf Blower Exchange Programs. Proposals for the three funding opportunities have been reviewed. This action is to: (1) fund two AQIP projects in an amount not to exceed $1,400,000, one with AQMS Automotive, LLC and one with Environmental Engineering Studies, Inc., to generate mobile source credits; (2) award a contract to Pacific Stihl to conduct the Leaf Blower Exchange Program in an amount not to exceed $266,925; (3) award a contract to Neuton, Inc. to conduct the Lawn Mower Exchange Program in an amount not to exceed $730,000; and (4) allocate $116,000 from the AQIP Fund to carry out the 2007 Lawnmower Exchange Program.
Councilmember Verdugo-Peralta asked staff to provide emission reduction benefits from the lawn mower and the leaf blower exchange programs.
Moved (Reyes Uranga), seconded (Verdugo-Peralta), and unanimously recommended for approval.
- Overview of the Clean Cities Programs within the AQMD Boundaries - 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.
The Committee recommended a receive and file action for this item.
OTHER BUSINESS - There was no other business.
Public Comment Period - There was no Public Comment.and as a fuel
The meeting was adjourned.
Attachment A - Attendance
Attachment A – Attendance
Rhonda Reyes, Board Assistant................................................................ AQMD
Bob Ulloa, Board Assistant..................................................................... AQMD
Paul Garman, Board Assistant................................................................. AQMD
Chung Liu, DEO, S& TA......................................................................... AQMD
Henry Hogo, ADEO, S& TA..................................................................... AQMD
William Wong, District Counsel............................................................... AQMD
Sam Atwood, Media Manager.................................................................. AQMD
Fred Minassian, S& TA......................................................................... AQMD
Dean Saito, S& TA.............................................................................. AQMD
Matt Miyasato, S& TA.......................................................................... AQMD
Larry Watkins, S& TA.......................................................................... AQMD
Ranji George, S& TA........................................................................... AQMD
Shashi Singeetham, S& TA..................................................................... AQMD
Lisa Mirisola, S& TA............................................................................ AQMD
Phil Barroca, S& TA............................................................................. AQMD
Connie Day, S& TA.............................................................................. AQMD
David Coel, S& TA.............................................................................. AQMD
Phil Barroca, S& TA............................................................................. AQMD
Vicki White, S& TA............................................................................. AQMD
Donna Vernon, S& TA........................................................................... AQMD
Dory Kilgour, S& TA............................................................................. AQMD
Bill Marecek................................................................................ Colton USD
Rick Feinstein............................................................................. Colton USD
Mike Heydari.............................................................................. AQMS-Auto
Sean Mohajer.............................................................................. AQMS-Auto
Miles Heller.......................................................................................... BP
John Billheimer......................................................................... Enviro-Reality