BOARD MEETING DATE: July 11, 2008
AGENDA NO. 36

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Receive and file.
 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Attendance: Committee Chair Roy Wilson participated by video-teleconference. Committee Member Dennis Yates was in attendance at District headquarters.
 

COMMITTEE ITEM

1. Update on Compressed Air Vehicle Technology
   Staff presented information on the compressed air engine vehicle, an update on its development, and recommendations for next steps. Roy Wilson asked if the technology was applicable to larger cars. Matt Miyasato answered that the company has indicated it could be adapted for larger vehicles but this would need to be developed and demonstrated. Staff believes there may be power limitations due to the need for such light-weight chasses.
    

JULY BOARD AGENDA ITEMS

2. Execute Contracts to Develop and Demonstrate Stationary Emission Control Systems for Locomotives and Marine Vessels - In August 2006, the Advanced Locomotive Emission Control System (ALECS) was demonstrated at a rail yard in Roseville, CA. The ALECS consists of a bonnet arrangement to collect emissions from locomotives being serviced and a ground-mounted emission treatment system. Further development of the ALECS is proposed. In addition, the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are proposing to demonstrate the Advanced Marine Emission Control System (AMECS) on a berthed ship. A different bonnet arrangement is used to collect the ship emissions and treat them with the same emission treatment system as the ALECS. This action is to execute a contract with Placer County APCD in an amount not to exceed $50,000 for ALECS and to execute a contract with Advanced Cleanup Technologies, Incorporated in an amount not to exceed $55,000 for AMECS.

Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; the committee members recommended that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with concurrence from the Committee members present.
 

3. Execute Agreement to Cosponsor Development and Demonstration of Hydraulic-Hybrid Shuttle Bus - Hydraulic-hybrid drive systems for vehicles are currently under development. Hydraulic hybrid systems capture braking energy as compressed gas and re-use this energy for propulsion through the use of special hydraulic pump/motors in the drivetrain. The U.S. EPA has been developing a series hydraulic hybrid system with a Homogeneous Charge Combustion Ignition engine. This engine and drive system have the potential for extremely low emissions and greatly improved fuel economy in heavier vehicles. This action is to propose a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Navistar, Eaton Corporation, U.S. Army National Automotive Center and the U.S. EPA for the next stage of development and demonstration of this system in a shuttle bus. The total cost of this project is estimated to be $1,960,000 with AQMD funding not to exceed $500,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; the committee members recommended that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with concurrence from the Committee members present.
 

4. Execute Contracts for FY 2007-08 “Year Ten” Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program and Surplus Off-Road Opt-In for NOx Provision of State In-Use Off-Road Vehicle Regulation - On May 2, 2008, proposals were received in response to the Program Announcements that were issued for the “Year Ten” Carl Moyer Air Quality Standards Attainment Program and the Surplus Off-Road Opt-In for NOx (SOON) provision of the state in-use off-road vehicle regulation. These actions are to execute contracts under the Carl Moyer Program and the SOON Provision with funds from the Carl Moyer Program SB 1107 Fund.

Major Yates recused himself from this item. Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; committee chair Wilson recommended that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.
 

5. Approve Grants for Replacement of Remaining Pre-1977 School Buses in Basin and Issue Program Announcement for Replacement and Retrofit of School Buses - This action is to approve grants for replacement of the remaining pre-1977 school buses in the Basin. This action is also to approve the release of a Program Announcement for the replacement and retrofit of school buses with funds from the Proposition 1B School Bus Fund. The total amount of available funds is approximately $67.4 million, comprised of approximately $47.4 million for replacement of pre-1987 school buses with new CNG buses, and $20 million for retrofit of 1994 and newer diesel school buses.

Mayor Yates asked whether CNG buses can run in winter in Rim of the World School District and do they have a CNG infrastructure? Fred Minassian answered that they can run in winter and that they do not have a CNG infrastructure at this time. Funding will be provided for infrastructure with the award. Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; the committee members recommended that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with concurrence from the Committee members present.
 

6. Amend Contract for 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 (HRAs) to broaden the consumer base for light-duty NGVs. Funding for the 400 HRAs was allocated in two contracts: 100 purchases through FuelMaker Corp. and 300 leases through American Honda. In February 2007, the Board de-obligated $250,000 from the lease program and apportioned this amount to the purchase program and commenced an AQMD-only sponsored purchase incentive of $2,000 per HRA. Overwhelming response to the buy-down incentive program continues for the purchase of an HRA prompting this action to amend the FuelMaker contract to add $146,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; the committee members recommended that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with concurrence from the Committee members present.
 

7. Recognize Additional Early Grant Funds under Proposition 1B from CARB, and Amend Early Grant Awards under Proposition 1B Goods Movement Emission Reduction Program - In January 2008, CARB awarded $13.8 million to the AQMD for Early Grant projects under Proposition 1B Goods Movement Emission Reduction Program. In May 2008, the Board recognized $13.8 million from CARB and approved execution of contracts to replace 260 pre-2003 heavy-duty diesel trucks with 2007 or newer diesel and LNG trucks. In the June 3, 2008, FY 2007-08 Early Grant Agreements, CARB increased the total number of trucks to be funded by three trucks, including two drayage and one non-drayage trucks. In order to allocate funds for the additional trucks, CARB increased AQMD’s Early Grant amount by $7,500 from $13,800,000 to $13,807,500 and decreased the administrative funds from $800,000 to $657,500. This action is to receive these additional funds and amend appropriate contracts.

Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; the committee members recommended that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with concurrence from the Committee members present.
 

8. Transfer Funds from Clean Fuels Program Fund and Carl Moyer Program AB 923 Fund to FY 2008-09 Budget of Science & Technology Advancement to Support Administrative, Outreach, Education and Other Directly-Related Activities - The Clean Fuels and Carl Moyer Programs successfully execute hundreds of contracts, totaling over $65 million, every year. Such large programs have on-going administrative, outreach, education and other directly-related activities which require resources and support. Each fiscal year, staff requests fund transfers to allow support for such activities throughout the year. This action is to transfer $600,000 from the Clean Fuels Program Fund and $300,000 from the Carl Moyer Program AB 923 Fund to the FY 2008-09 Budget of Science & Technology Advancement, Services and Supplies Major Object, Professional and Special Services Account to support these activities.

Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; the committee members recommended that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with concurrence from the Committee members present.
 

INFORMATIONAL ITEM

9. Briefing on the Operation of Projects Funded under the Carl Moyer Program and Issues Related to Contract Performance - Projects funded under the Carl Moyer Program have specific operational requirements for a certain number of years under executed contracts to ensure their emissions benefits. However, the recent economic downturn has greatly impacted the projected operation hours of the construction equipment funded under the Carl Moyer Program. Staff will brief the committee on potential modifications to the contracts to ensure the projects’ emissions benefits.

Due to economic downturn, recently a contractor who was awarded Carl Moyer funds to repower several off-road diesel equipment requested relief from the Moyer requirement that on the average the equipment must be operated at least 75% of the time in the South Coast district so that the contractor can seek work outside of the district, but within California or sell its equipment. Staff has been working with the contractor and is extending the contract by one year to allow the contractor to work outside of the district or sell their Moyer-funded equipment to another entity who must commit to completing the project. The one year extension would be reviewed on an ongoing basis and may be extended if needed. Staff indicated that there may be requests from other contractors given the economic downturn. Staff believes that there is sufficient flexibility in the contract process to address these issues.
 

OTHER BUSINESS

Mayor Yates asked from all of our contracts, how many have asked for extension, or haven’t started as yet? Is there a time restriction? Staff will provide a summary of these companies that fall into this category to the committee.
 

Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.

The meeting was adjourned.
 

Attachment

A - Attendance
 

Attachment A – Attendance

Bob Ulloa, Board Assistant AQMD

Nicole Nishimura, Board Assistant AQMD

Brett Franklin, Board Assistant video-teleconference

Barbara Baird, Principal Deputy District Counsel AQMD

Chung Liu, S&TA AQMD

Henry Hogo, S&TA AQMD

Matt Miyasato, S&TA AQMD

Fred Minassian, S&TA AQMD

Dean Saito, S&TA AQMD

Dipankar Sarkar, S&TA AQMD

Ranji George, S&TA AQMD

Phil Barroca, S&TA AQMD

Zorik Pirveysian, S&TA AQMD

Michael Geller, S&TA AQMD

Lisa Mirisola, S&TA AQMD

Vasken Yardemian, S&TA AQMD

Penny Cedillo, S&TA AQMD

Donna Vernon, S&TA AQMD

Laura Garrett, IM AQMD

Dean Mariani Bust West

Doug Sander Bus West

Sandy Fetters Ironman

Craig Phillips Ironman

Joe Ordonez Creative Bus Sales

Mauro Bologna Creative Bus Sales

Roy Kim CaFCP