BOARD MEETING DATE: December 5, 2008
AGENDA NO. 5
PROPOSAL:
Execute Contract to Install New CNG Fueling Infrastructure and Garage Upgrades
SYNOPSIS:
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.
COMMITTEE:
Technology, November 21, 2008, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Rim of the World Unified School District (RoWUSD) to install natural gas fueling infrastructure and garage upgrades at a cost not to exceed $257,000 from the Clean Fuels fund.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
Diesel particulate exhaust is a toxic air contaminant, and in older, high-emitting school buses, the exhaust poses a health risk to children and communities where these buses are deployed. In 2008, the Board authorized a grant to RoWUSD to replace five pre-1977 buses with five new CNG buses as well as provide station funding in a total amount of $915,000. This amount included $845,000 for school bus replacement and $70,000 for CNG fueling infrastructure and garage upgrades. Funding was comprised of $700,000 from the Proposition 1B School Bus Fund (82) and $215,000 from the Carl Moyer Program AB 923 Fund (80). RoWUSD’s five pre-1977 buses are the last pre-1977 school buses in the entire South Coast Air Basin.
Proposal
The previously awarded $70,000 for CNG fueling infrastructure was based on the allocation of $14,000 per bus for a total of five buses. Based on a site visit and a report generated by AQMD’s consultant on CNG fueling, Burnett and Burnette, the cost of the fueling infrastructure and necessary garage upgrades is estimated at $425,000 to support up to twelve CNG vehicles.
In a separate Board action on this agenda, staff is also proposing to fund $1,183,000 for seven new CNG buses and provide $98,000 for fueling infrastructure. According to RoWUSD, the $425,000 fueling infrastructure can accommodate all twelve buses that will be funded by the AQMD. If this amount of $98,000 is approved by the Board, staff proposes to provide $257,000 to RoWUSD from the Clean Fuels fund for the CNG fueling infrastructure. The previously approved amount of $70,000 and the proposed amounts of $98,000 and $257,000 will provide the total necessary funding of $425,000 for the fueling infrastructure for all twelve CNG buses funded by the AQMD.
Benefits to AQMD
The AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies and clean-burning fuels in Southern California to achieve air quality standards. School buses operate in close proximity to students, teachers and communities. Many schools provide bus services in heavily populated areas. The successful implementation of the school bus replacement program will provide less polluting and safer school transportation for children. In addition, the program will maximize the potential emission benefits in high diesel and high PM10 exposure areas and will enhance the objectives of the Children’s Health initiatives adopted by the Board.
Sole Source Justification
Section VIII, (B)(2) of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four major provisions under which a sole-source award may be justified. This request for a sole source award is made under provision B.2.d.: other circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Officer require such waiver in the best interests of the AQMD. Specifically, these circumstances are for RoWUSD that has a disproportionate number of the oldest pre-1977 school buses among schools in the Basin. Furthermore, RoWUSD is located in an area of high ozone and PM exposure levels.
Resource Impacts
Total amount of funding for the CNG fueling infrastructure and garage upgrades shall not exceed $257,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. Sufficient funds are available from the fund.
The Clean Fuels Fund was established as a special revenue fund resulting from the state-mandated Clean Fuels program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code Sections 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code Section 9250.11, established mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile sources to support projects to increase the utilization of clean fuels, including the development of the necessary advanced enabling technologies. Funds collected from motor vehicles are restricted, by statute, to be used for projects and program activities related to mobile sources that support the objectives of the Clean Fuels Program.