Back

BOARD MEETING DATE: September 10, 1999 AGENDA NO. 35

REPORT:

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on August 27, 1999. Major items discussed included a presentation on "Achieving Long-Term High NOx Conversion in Exhaust from Lean Burn Engines by Controlling Sulfur and Preventing Catalyst Poisoning;" Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the September Board meeting; and written-only presentations on completed Technology Advancement projects and monthly reports on environmental justice initiatives 2, 7, and 10. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided, together with an attendance roster. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on September 24, 1999 at 11:30 a.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Receive and file.

Hal Bernson, Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Present were Committee Members William Burke and Roy Wilson who participated by video-teleconference.

Technology Advancement Feature Presentations

1. Achieving Long-Term High NOx Conversion in Exhaust from Lean Burn Engines by Controlling Sulfur and Preventing Catalyst Poisoning - Allan Bedwell of Goal Line Environmental Technologies presented an overview of the SCONOx system for diesel engine aftertreatment. It was indicated that SCONOx controls for four major diesel pollutants, can achieve a 90 to 99% reduction of NOx, and it is not poisoned by the sulfur in diesel fuel.

September Board Agenda Items

2. Execute Contracts for On- and Off-Road Projects Awarded Under Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program - On April 9, 1999, the Board approved the release of an RFP to implement the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program for low-emission on- and off-road vehicles and equipment, including marine, construction and agricultural equipment. On August 13, 1999 the Board approved the award of $4,996,034 for on-road clean fuel trucks. Staff proposes to award contracts to fund the differential cost of alternative fuel transit and school buses, off-road equipment, and marine vessels for a total funding of $7,349,702 with $6,276,986 from the Carl Moyer Program Fund and $1,072,716 from the Clean Fuels Program Fund. Less than a quorum was present; those Committee Members who were present communicated their concurrence.
   
   
3. Issue an RFP to Solicit Projects for the 1999-2000 Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program Funding - In 1998-99, ARB's budget included $25 million to provide incentives for low-emission on- and off-road vehicles for the Carl Moyer Program. The SCAQMD was allocated $11.3 million to administer the program in the South Coast Basin. The State's FY 1999-2000 budget contains $23 million to continue the program. The AQMD expects to receive approximately $9.45 million of this funding. The proposed RFP for up to $13.5 million (including 4.05 million from Clean Fuels Program Fund) will provide additional incentives for low emission on- and off-road vehicles and equipment. Less than a quorum was present; those Committee Members who were present communicated their concurrence.
   
   Dr. Burke voiced concern on the adequacy of the timelines specified for submittal of proposals for this RFP. He indicated he would research this issue and if, in his opinion, a longer timeline is needed, he would communicate this back to the Board. He also emphasized the importance of aggressive public outreach to target groups that would be most effective in cleaning up the air. Dr. Burke instructed staff to provide a listing of all people contacted and made aware of the RFP.
   
   
4. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development and Demonstration of Advanced Natural Gas Engine Electronic Controls - On January 8, 1999, the Board approved execution of a contract to design, validate and implement electronic controls for an advanced natural gas engine system for the Cummins L10G engine. The objectives of this advanced engine system were to improve performance and reduce emissions of spark-ignited natural gas engines. However, 1999 sales orders for this engine have not met expectations. Cummins Engine Company has requested that this project be redirected to their C8.3G engine that has much higher sales and, thus, has potential for greater emissions benefits. AQMD cost-share of this $602,550 project will not exceed $265,000. Less than a quorum was present; those Committee Members who were present communicated their concurrence.
   
   
5. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development and Demonstration of Electric School Bus - Battery-powered electric school buses were introduced commercially in 1996. These buses have proven to be costly and unreliable, mainly due to the poor performance of the battery pack. Santa Barbara Electric Bus Works has proposed to develop and demonstrate an improved, lower-cost, electric school bus. This proposal is based upon SBEBW’s experience developing and operating the Santa Barbara electric bus fleet. AQMD’s cost-share of this $400,000 project will not exceed $100,000. Less than a quorum was present; those Committee Members who were present communicated their concurrence.
   
   
6. Appropriate Funds From the Clean Fuels Fund and Execute the Lease and Purchase of Five New-Technology Vehicles for the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Loan Program - The AQMD demonstrates new-technology vehicles with available low-emission and clean-fuel technologies. As part of the Technology Advancement Alternative Fuel Vehicle Loan Program, vehicles are procured as new technologies become available. It is proposed that the AQMD lease for three years, two General Motors EV1s with advanced batteries and one Toyota RAV4 EV, and purchase two Honda Insights with hybrid-electric drivetrains and advanced batteries. Total cost to the AQMD for these five vehicles will not exceed $130,000. Less than a quorum was present; those Committee Members who were present communicated their concurrence.
   
   
7. Establish TAO SB-98 Clean Fuels Advisory Group and Charter; Amend Charter for Technology Advancement Advisory Group; and Appoint Members to Technology Advancement Advisory Group - Health & Safety Code §40448.5 and 40448.5.1 and Vehicle Code §9250.11 have been enacted reauthorizing the Clean Fuels Program. This action is to establish the TAO SB-98 Clean Fuels Advisory Group as specified in that legislation. In addition, to ensure efficient operation of the Board's existing Technology Advancement Advisory Group, staff recommends some minor administrative changes in the appointment process and delegation of authority to make appointments. Less than a quorum was present; those Committee Members who were present communicated their concurrence.
   
   
8. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development and Demonstration of an Advanced High Capacity, High Performance NGV Storage Tank - Limitations of current compressed natural gas storage tank technology, among other factors, have hindered the widespread commercialization of NGVs. IMPCO has proposed to design, fabricate and test advanced all-composite tanks that provide increased capacity of up to 20 gasoline-gallons equivalent of compressed natural gas, significantly reduced weight, substantial improvement in safety margins, and reduced costs. Total cost of this project is $1.42 million. AQMD cost-share will not exceed $320,000. Less than a quorum was present; those Committee Members who were present communicated their concurrence.
   
   
9. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development and Demonstration of 250kW Hybrid Fuel Cell-Micro Turbine Powerplant - On April 9, 1999, the Board approved the execution of a contract with Edison Technology Solutions (ETS), for the development and demonstration of a 250 kW hybrid fuel cell-micro turbine power plant in an amount not to exceed $200,000. Subsequently, ETS, an unregulated subsidiary of Edison International (EI), has announced it is ceasing operations and has assigned this project to EI's regulated subsidiary, Southern California Edison Corporation. Total cost of this project remains at $16.2 million with AQMD cost-share not to exceed $200,000. Less than a quorum was present; those Committee Members who were present communicated their concurrence.
   
   
10. Reports on Completed Technology Advancement Projects
    Written-only final reports on projects to develop and demonstrate electric airport ground support equipment and an assessment for three-way catalyst technology for off-road equipment powered by gasoline and LPG engines were received and filed.
    
    
11. Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives 2,7 and 10
    Written only monthly status reports were received and filed. Copies of these reports are attached hereto as Attachments B, C and D.
    
    
12. Other Business - There was no other business.
    
    
13. Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

Attachments

Attachment A - Attendance
Attachment B - Environmental Initiative #  2 Status Report
Attachment C - Environmental Initiative #  7 Status Report
Attachment D - Environmental Initiative #10 Status Report

/ / /

Attachment A - Attendance

Attachment B

Environmental Justice Initiative No. 2 - MATES-II and Microscale Study

Status Report - August 1999

AQMD Staff, with peer review feedback, will design and conduct a program of ambient monitoring for toxic hot spots. Expanded, accurate, reliable, suitable data on exposure levels will enable us to begin to apply that knowledge to effective problem-solving.

1. All field sampling completed.
2. All laboratory analyses completed.
3. All data (from AQMD and ARB laboratories) compiled into data base.
4. Final activities in progress:

   a) Quality assurance of data base
   b) Analyses of data
   c) Regional toxics modeling and assessment
   d) Final report preparation

1. Schedule:

a) September 1999

1] Data analyses and modeling to be completed.
2] Draft final report to be completed and provided to Technical Review Group (ATSTRG) for review.

b) October 1999

1] Final ATSTRG meeting to be held.
2] Comments to be received from ATSTRG.
3] MATES-II Final Report to be completed.

c) November 1999

1] Results to be presented to Governing Board.
2] MATES-II Final Report to be released to public.

Attachment C

Environmental Justice Initiative No. 7 - Cleanup Incentives for Diesel

Monthly Status Report
July - August 1999

The Governing Board will pursue a set of Initiatives at the local, state, and federal level to incentivize the early clean-up or removal of diesel engines in the Basin. Research indicates that low-income communities and communities of color experience disproportionate air quality impacts associated with diesel engine use.

Support Funding Incentives

• The heavy-duty vehicle incentive program, known as the Carl Moyer Air Quality Incentive Program, is progressing.
  
  
• The first AQMD Moyer Program RFP closed July 1, 1999. A total of 51 proposals for a total of 848 vehicles and equipment were received by the AQMD, totaling $52.3 million in requested funding.
  
  
• Six awards for on-road heavy-duty trucks, $4,996,034 for 104 refuse and transfer trucks, were approved by the Governing Board August 13, 1999. The balance of awards from this initial RFP, with a funding allocation of $11.3 million, is expected to be presented to the Governing Board September 10, 1999.
  
  
• Another AQMD RFP for the Moyer Program, based on a second anticipated allocation from the ARB of $8.55 million, is expected to be issued in September 1999, subject to Governing Board approval.
  
  
• AB 1571, authored by Villaraigosa and Senator Brulte, was introduced to put the Moyer Program into state law. It has successfully passed through the Assembly and has been assigned to the Senate Transportation committee, however, it appears that this may become a 2-year bill with various language changes and amendments still under discussion. The current form of the bill does not yet identify the source of revenues to continue the Moyer Program funding incentives.

Promote Technology Advancement

• AQMD management and staff met with senior management of GM, Ford, and DDC in Detroit and Cummins in Indianapolis at the end of July 1999. The objective of these meetings was to urge continuation of low emission alternative fuel products and their development, noting the air quality benefits, toxic emission reductions, and product demand in California, as evidenced by the success of the Moyer Program solicitation. The trip was successful and we look forward to future collaborative efforts with these companies.

Coordinate with Transit Districts

• In July and August, AQMD and ARB staff visited several transits around the country that operate alternative fuel buses in their fleet to gather information on their experiences. The transits included Cleveland, New York, Sacramento, Tacoma, Dallas, and Houston.
  
  
• AQMD and ARB staff visited the Federal Transit Administration in Washington DC to discuss existing and future transit bus funding opportunities. While in Washington DC, AQMD and ARB staff also met with APTA to discuss their activities and any concerns with respect to alternative fuel buses.

Conduct Public Education and Outreach

• AQMD staff has initiated development of a program to educate local school boards regarding future procurement of clean fuel school buses, as outlined in the Children's Initiatives. Staff has met with LAUSD several times regarding a proposed demonstration of advanced clean fuel bus technologies. AQMD staff met with Thomas-Freightliner on July 29, 1999 to discuss development and demonstration of a 42-passenger CNG school bus.

Attachment D

Environmental Justice Initiative #10
Public Comment, Rules 1401 and 1402
Status Report
August 1999

Initiative:      The Governing Board will re-open for public comment the toxics significant thresholds for cancer and non-cancer impacts contained in Rule 1402 - Control of Toxic Air Contaminants from Existing Sources, and consideration of adding additional compounds and non-carcinogenic impact prevention into Rule 1401 - New Source Review of Toxic Air Contaminants.

Status of Efforts:

• August Board meeting – Rule 1401 & Rule 219
  
  
• August amendments
  – update acute risk values
  – implement suggestion from Permit Streamlining Task Force
  
  
• State will update chronic risk values
  – approximately 120 chemicals
  – 3 groups of ~40 chemicals
  – future reports to the Board and possible rule changes
  
  
• Air Toxics Reduction Plan
  - September report to the Board
  - staff proposing comprehensive Air Toxic Reduction Plan as part of Environmental
      Justice Initiative #10
  - MATES II preliminary data indicates risks in Basin predominantly due to emissions
      from diesel and mobile source emissions
  - reductions needed from all sources to reduce risk from toxic exposures in
      communities
  - plan will comprehensively define toxic reduction benefits from on-going federal,
      state and local programs.
  - plan will contain a variety of control strategies in both short- and long-term
      measures
  - plan will contain enhanced public outreach/public education programs
  - cooperation from federal, state, and local agencies will be required
  - plan will identify the most effective strategies
  - plan will help to prioritize resources
  
  
• Process
  - seeking Board approval of concept and Board direction to proceed
  - development of plan will include extensive public participation through workshops,
      working group meetings and other avenues
  - key factors to consider:
      technical and economic feasibility
      minimizing impacts on permit streamlining, businesses, and other resources
      opportunity for meaningful public input and participation
  - six months for development of plan, however development and implementation
      schedule may be impacted by court mandates of pending litigation
  
  
• Issue
  - plan concept generally well accepted
  - environmental groups requested schedule for Rule 1402
  - proposing 2 phases for Rule 1402 rule development
      3DEC 1999 – Rule Effectiveness Improvements
      3Mid-2000 – Comprehensive Enhancements
      Consider adjusting thresholds, mitigation of diesel emissions, other changes

/ / /