BOARD MEETING DATE: December 5, 2008
AGENDA NO. 22

REPORT:

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on November 21, 2008. Major topics included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the December Board meeting. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on January 21, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Receive and file.
 

Roy Wilson, Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Committee Members Roy Wilson and Tonia Reyes Uranga participated by video-teleconference and Dennis Yates was in attendance at District headquarters.
 

DECEMBER BOARD AGENDA ITEMS

1. Approve Grants for New School Buses and Retrofits, Issue Program Announcement for Replacement and Retrofit of School Buses and Amend SOON Contract - At its July 11, 2008 meeting, the Board authorized issuance of a Program Announcement with $67.4 million in Proposition 1B funds to replace pre-1987 school buses with new alternative fuel school buses and to retrofit school buses with Level 3 PM traps. The first two actions are to replace 299 pre-1987 school buses with new buses in an amount not to exceed $41,580,000 from Proposition 1B funds and $5,501,000 from AB 923 funds and to retrofit 613 buses with PM traps in an amount not to exceed $9,664,500 from Proposition 1B funds. The third action is to also issue a new program announcement soliciting applications for the replacement or retrofit of school buses with the remaining $16.1 million in Proposition 1B funds. The final requested action is to amend a contract under the SOON Provision with the addition of $94,073 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund SB 1107 Account.
   
   Moved (Yates), seconded (Reyes Uranga), and unanimously recommended for approval.
    

2. Execute Contract for Battery Electric Transit Bus Demonstration Project - In June 2008, the Board approved execution of a contract with ISE for a 300-mile range battery electric transit bus demonstration project. At the time of award, it was anticipated that battery technology would progress farther than has occurred. As a result, the range of the bus will be lower than 300 miles, and will be determined based on the best currently available battery technology, the cost of the batteries, and the overall weight of the battery pack. This action is to execute a contract with ISE Corporation at no additional cost from the original award. Funding for this project was approved in June 2008 from the Clean Fuels Fund at a cost not to exceed $290,000.
   
   Supervisor Wilson asked if the project was practical since most transit agencies run for 300 miles per day. Staff answered that the bus could be used during morning and evening peak hours since re-charge times is less than 4 hours. Further, LAMTA have identified routes where this could work.
   
   Moved (Yates), seconded (Reyes Uranga), and unanimously recommended for approval.
    

3. Execute Contract to Install New CNG Fueling Infrastructure and Garage Upgrades - In July 2008, the Board awarded Rim of the World Unified School District (RoWUSD) an $845,000 grant to replace five pre-1977 diesel school buses with five new CNG buses and $70,000 for CNG fueling infrastructure and garage upgrades. In a separate Board action on this agenda, staff is also proposing to fund seven new CNG buses and $98,000 for CNG fueling infrastructure. Based on a site visit and a review of the facility by AQMD staff and a CNG consultant, the cost of fueling infrastructure and garage upgrades is estimated at $425,000. This action is to execute a contract with RoWUSD to install the needed fueling infrastructure and garage upgrades at a cost not to exceed $257,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. This fueling infrastructure will accommodate all twelve CNG buses that will be funded by the AQMD.
   
   Moved (Yates), seconded (Reyes Uranga), and unanimously recommended for approval.
    

4. California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team Report and Quarterly Activity Report - This report summarizes the California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team meeting held October 21-22, 2008 and provides an activity report for the period beginning July 2008.
   
   Moved (Wilson), seconded (Reyes Uranga), and unanimously recommended for approval.
    

5. Issue RFP to Implement Phase II HEROS Program - Under Phase I of the HEROS Program, potential high-emitting vehicles were identified through remote sensing at freeway on-ramps. Owners of potential high emitters, meeting specific eligibility requirements, were invited to participate in this voluntary incentive program for vehicle repair or scrapping. While the technical approach to identify, test, and repair or scrap high emitters was proven in Phase I, there was a low participation rate due to the voluntary nature of the program. As such, the goal in the proposed Phase II of the program is to achieve a higher participation rate. To achieve this, staff is proposing that pre-qualified participants would bring their vehicles to weekend events at which vehicles would be pre-screened for high emissions. This action is to approve issuance of an RFP to solicit bids from qualified vendors to develop and implement the proposed Phase II of the HEROS Program at a cost not to exceed $1,600,000 from the AB 923 Fund.
   
   Councilmember Reyes Uranga questioned the difference between Phase I and II. Only vehicles that drove by the sensors and were identified as potential high emitters could participate in the program. There was a low voluntary participation rate so Phase II motorists would not have to pass by the sensors to participate. Consumers vehicles could get pre-qualified for program participation on an events basis.
   
   Moved (Yates), seconded (Reyes Uranga), and unanimously recommended for approval.
    

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

6. Air Car Update - At the November Governing Board Meeting, staff presented a brief summary of the air car technology. The Board raised technical questions and directed staff to investigate possible partnership opportunities. Staff will present an update on these activities.
   
   Matt Miyasato gave a presentation. Mayor Yates and Supervisor Wilson recommended that staff brief Dr. William Burke on this item.
    

7. Honda's Perspective on Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles - Honda was invited to provide their view on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

   Mayor Yates attended the UCLA Symposium on Transportation at Lake Arrowhead where Honda Motor Company gave a presentation on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Mayor Yates instructed staff to invite Honda to the Technology Committee to give the same presentation. The presentation was given by Robert Bienenfeld, Senior Manager of Environmental and Energy Strategy, American Honda Motor Company.

   Honda Motor described their efforts in the development and commercialization of hybrid vehicles over the years, and provided an in-depth analysis of fuel economy for vehicles of different weight classes. Based on a MIT study, Honda mentioned that greenhouse gas emissions from PHEVs are comparable to that of regular hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Even though most automakers have a strong position on promoting PHEV technology, Mr. Bienenfeld indicated that Honda maintains a neutral position on this technology based on PHEV challenges such as battery costs, grid emissions, and higher incremental costs. In conclusion Mr. Bienenfeld stated that Honda believes PHEVs may make better sense in the long term and HEVs do so in the short term. Honda did emphasize that PHEVs reduce fuel consumption and this is very favorable because it reduces dependence on foreign oil.

   Dr. Chung Liu commented that the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from PHEVs will depend on the energy source of grid electricity especially depending on whether renewable sources of energy are used. He also commented that the future of PHEV technology will be strongly dependent on battery technology.
    

OTHER BUSINESS - There was no other business.
 

Public Comment Period - Felix Oduyemi, Senior Program Manager for Electric Transportation at Southern California Edison commented on Honda’s presentation. SCE works with Honda, Ford, EPRI, GM, Volvo and other OEMs on the PHEV technology. SCE has seen significant improvement in battery technology and hopes to work closely with the District on this technology.
 

The meeting was adjourned.
 

Attachment A – Attendance

• John Olvera, Principal Deputy District Counsel AQMD
• Chung Liu, S&TA AQMD
• Matt Miyasato, S&TA AQMD
• Fred Minassian, S&TA AQMD
• Dipankar Sarkar, S&TA AQMD
• Dean Saito, S&TA AQMD
• Lori Berard, S&TA AQMD
• Ranji George, S&TA AQMD
• Dave Coel, S&TA AQMD
• Tina Cherry, Media AQMD
• Marjorie Eaton, S&TA AQMD
• Donna Vernon, S&TA AQMD
• Isabella Aguilar, S&TA AQMD
• Laura Garrett, IM AQMD
• Bob Ulloa Board Assistant
• Nicole Nishimura Board Assistant
• Brett Franklin Board Assistant
• Doug Snyder BusWest
• Dean Mariani BusWest
• David Berman Cummins CDL Pacific
• Cynthis Verdugo Peralta VPC Energy
• Felix Oduyemi So Cal Edison
• Robert Beinenfeld American Honda Motors