BOARD MEETING DATE: September 5, 2008
AGENDA NO. 7

PROPOSAL:

Execute Contract to Cosponsor Clean Air Challenge Program

SYNOPSIS:

As part of the BP/ARCO Settlement Funds, the Board approved co-funding for development of the Clean Air Challenge Program to train middle and high school science teachers about air quality, health effects, and cleaner technologies. The Clean Air Challenge Program held eight workshops and trained 232 middle and high school science teachers and 27,840 students in the district with co-funding from AQMD, Shell, and the City of Riverside. This action is to execute a contract with Clean Air Now to continue and expand the Clean Air Challenge Program. The total cost for this project is approximately $150,000, with AQMD cost share not to exceed $60,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, July 25, 2008, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Clean Air Now for the Clean Air Challenge program in an amount not to exceed $60,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

In 2006, the Board approved $140,000 cofunding for development of the Clean Air Challenge Program to meet California State Science Content Standards and to provide training and materials to middle and high school science teachers about air quality, health effects, and cleaner technology. In the 2006-07 school year, Clean Air Now subcontracted with Enterprise for Education to conduct the Clean Air Challenge (CAC) Program by holding eight workshops to train 232 middle and high school science teachers who provided classes for 27,840 students in the district with co-funding from AQMD, Shell, and the City of Riverside. The CAC program includes surveys to determine results, provides a stipend to teachers upon proof of implementation of the curriculum, and maintains a website http://www.clean-air-challenge.com.

The Clean Air Challenge started in 1995 as a curriculum product of the publisher Enterprise for Education. Since its first printing in 1998, CAC has been revised four times to broaden its academic strengths and hone its approach to air quality education. Through the support of CAC’s many sponsors, the program is being offered in California, Colorado, Delaware, China, India, and Scotland.

Clean Air Now was founded in 1969 to publicize the health effects of air pollution and to promote clean air strategies. Additional information can be found at http://www.clean-air-now.com.

Proposal

Response to the Clean Air Challenge program has been very positive. Workshops were held at AQMD, Long Beach, UCLA, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside (2), and UC Irvine. 158 teachers would like to continue using the Clean Air Challenge curriculum beyond 2007, but need additional supplies to teach their classes in 2008-2009. The workshops that were held in the District had waiting lists, and Clean Air Now would like to provide training for 73 new teachers in the 2008-09 school year.

Clean Air Challenge Program goals include continuing and expanding the program over the next five years to sustain 500 trained teachers in the district and transition to self-sustained funding. It is most cost effective per student reached to place a priority on providing consumable material to previously trained & interested teachers. One-day workshops to train new teachers will be held, especially in areas like the City of Riverside where local cofunding is obtained. Based on recent surveys, about 68% of newly trained teachers continue the program in future years, so it will take several years to reach the goal to sustain 500 trained teachers in our district.

The annual program teacher costs are $1,179 to train each new teacher, plus about $400 per year to replenish consumable supplies for each previously trained teacher who wants to continue teaching the curriculum.

Assuming continuing success of the Clean Air Challenge Program, and cost-share from other entities growing from 60% to self-sustaining, Clean Air Now plans to request co-funding from AQMD on an annual basis.

The total cost for this project is approximately $150,000 for the 2008-09 school year, with AQMD cost share not to exceed $60,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. Clean Air Now has secured $10,000 co-funding from the City of Riverside for 2008-2009, and is requesting co-funding from other public and private entities such as Shell, American Honda, Southern California Edison Foundation, CARB, and CEC.

Benefits to AQMD

Successful continuation of the Clean Air Challenge program provides air quality training for teachers with engaging hands-on curriculum for students designed to meet California State Science Content Standards. Teaching students about air quality can have a positive impact on their families and communities. This type of proposed project is included in the March 2008 update of the Technology Advancement Plan in the category “Outreach and Technology Transfer.”

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 interest of the AQMD. Specifically, these circumstances are B.2.d.(1): Project involving cost sharing by multiple sponsors.

Clean Air Now is a non-profit organization founded in 1969 to publicize the health effects of air pollution and to promote clean air strategies.

Resource Impacts

The total cost for the 2008-2009 school year to continue and expand the Clean Air Challenge program in the district is approximately $150,000. The amount of AQMD funding shall not exceed $60,000 to participate in the program. Cost-sharing will be provided from the following sources:

Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Fund, established as a special revenue fund resulting from the state-mandated Cleans Fuels Program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code Sections 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code Section 9250.11, establishes 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. The curriculum to be funded highlights clean fuels technologies, including fuel cells.