BOARD MEETING DATE: December 4, 2009
AGENDA NO. 32
REPORT:
Technology Committee
SYNOPSIS:
The Technology Committee met on November 20, 2009. 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 22, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Receive and file.
Josie Gonzales
Technology Committee Chair
Attendance: Committee Members Miguel Pulido and Tonia Reyes Uranga participated by video-teleconference. Committee Chair Josie Gonzales and Committee Member Dennis Yates were in attendance at District headquarters. Committee Members William Burke and Marion Ashley were absent due to conflicts with their schedules.
DECEMBER BOARD AGENDA ITEMS
1. Execute Contracts under Carl Moyer Program and Issue Program Announcement for SOON Program
On September 11, 2009, the Board awarded several contracts to repower equipment under the Carl Moyer Program. The project proponents for two of the awards are requesting changes to the awards – one for a change in equipment type, and the other for repowering an additional two pieces of equipment. Staff is also recommending two additional projects for Carl Moyer Program awards. This action is to change the vehicle type for an existing award, increase the funding for an existing award for repower projects and execute two new contracts under the Carl Moyer Program and the SOON Provision. Finally, this action is to release a Program Announcement to provide funding assistance for additional NOx emission reductions from off-road equipment that may be subject to Rule 2449 - SOON Program.
Mayor Yates commented that the SOON Program is not being oversubscribed relative to the downturn in the economy; this was noted by staff.
Moved (Mayor Yates), seconded (Councilmember Tonia Reyes Uranga), and unanimously recommended for approval.
Note: The slides presented at this meeting on this item incorrectly stated that the City of Long Beach project was proposed for SOON provision funding. The City of Long Beach project is actually proposed for Moyer Program funding.
2. Reissue RFP for Technical Assistance for Advanced, Low- and Zero-Emissions Mobile and Stationary Source Technologies
On June 5, 2009, AQMD issued an RFP to solicit statements of qualifications from individuals and organizations capable of providing technical expertise in a variety of specialized areas to support AQMD’s technology advancement activities for the Clean Fuels program. In response to this RFP, on October 2, 2009, the Board approved executing contracts with seven contractors. However, the expertise of these contractors does not extend to some specialty areas that are required to meet the goals of the Clean Fuels program and to support AQMP implementation. This action is to reissue this RFP with an increased level of outreach to solicit proposals in some specialty areas.
Mayor Yates referenced the specialty area of Stationary Renewable Technologies being sought and asked whether this is for hydrogen fuel production and refueling stations. Staff responded that the reference was for stationary power production from technologies such as photovoltaics, solar thermal, wind, digester gas, and biogas. However, staff noted we have hired in the past and are going out again for consultants who are experts in fuel cells and hydrogen production.
Moved (Mayor Yates), seconded (Councilmember Tonia Reyes Uranga), and unanimously recommended for approval.
3. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development and Demonstration of Selective Catalytic Regeneration Technology for On-Road Heavy-Duty Trucks
On May 1, 2009, the Board recognized funds from the U. S. EPA and awarded a contract to Johnson Matthey, Inc. (JM) to develop and demonstrate Selective Catalytic Regeneration Technology systems on 43 on-road heavy-duty vehicles. To meet the EPA’s deadline, staff submitted AQMD’s proposal before finalizing the negotiation with JM. This award needs to be amended to reduce the number of demonstration vehicles to 35 because JM is unable to provide the in-kind contribution to support the additional eight vehicles due to the economic downturn in the retrofit industry. The U. S. EPA has agreed to reduce the number of vehicles to 35. This action is to execute a contract with JM for the original amount not to exceed $1,200,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund but with a reduced total project cost of $1,480,000.
Moved (Councilmember Tonia Reyes Uranga), seconded (Mayor Yates), and unanimously recommended for approval.
4. Recognize Revenue and Execute Sole Source Contracts to Assist in Purchase of CNG Taxicabs and Shuttle Vans
The AQMD has been informed of a pending award from the U.S. DOE Clean Cities Petroleum Reduction Technologies Projects for the Transportation Sector. This funding opportunity was conducted with the aim of expanding the use of alternative-fueled vehicles and advanced technology vehicles. This action is to recognize $500,000 in revenue from the U.S. DOE and combine with $750,000 previously allocated by the Board to assist in the purchase of CNG taxicabs and shuttles. This action is to enter into sole source contracts with: (1) Yellow Cab Company of Greater Orange County to purchase 45 new CNG-powered passenger class taxicab vehicles, and (2) Prime Time Shuttle to purchase 34 new CNG-powered shuttle vans,
to provide commercial airport ground transportation service in the South Coast Air Basin and Coachella Valley.
Mayor Yates asked which airports these vehicles will serve. Staff advised that Yellow Cab just received an agreement award from Ontario Airport to pick up passengers. The company is allowed to operate anywhere in the District. Staff added that Ontario Airport has fueling stations. Mayor Yates indicated the lack of stations inside LAX has been a concern in the past; staff indicated they had not heard any complaints.
Moved (Mayor Pulido), seconded (Mayor Yates), and unanimously recommended for approval.
5. Renew AQMD’s Membership in CaFCP for Calendar Year 2010, Provide Office Space for CaFCP, and Receive and File California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team Meeting Summary and Quarterly Update
The AQMD has been a member of the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) since March 17, 2000. This action is to renew AQMD’s membership in the CaFCP in an amount not to exceed $87,800 for calendar year 2010 and cofund 50 percent of the CaFCP Regional Coordinator position located at the AQMD, in addition to office space and utilities, in an amount not to exceed $50,000. Further actions are to continue providing in-kind office space and utilities for CaFCP employees in 2010 in an effort to educate the public and increase CaFCP’s presence in Southern California. Finally, this action is to receive and file the CaFCP Steering Team Meeting Summary and Quarterly Update.
Moved (Mayor Yates), seconded (Mayor Pulido), and unanimously recommended for approval.
Other Business – There was no other business.
Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.
The next meeting will be January 22. The meeting was adjourned.
Attachment (DOC, 28k)
A - Attendance