BOARD MEETING DATE: July 10, 2009
AGENDA NO. 33
PROPOSAL:
Technology Committee
SYNOPSIS:
The Technology Committee met on June 19, 2009. Major topics included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the July Board meeting. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on July 24, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Receive and file.
Roy Wilson, Chair
Technology Committee
Attendance: Committee Member Supervisor Wilson participated by video-teleconference. Mayor Dennis Yates was in attendance at District headquarters.
JULY BOARD AGENDA ITEMS
- Execute Agreements with CARB to Cosponsor Research Projects
CARB research staff has requested cofunding from the AQMD for four research projects. The projects include an air quality and climate science field study, a study to investigate the relationship between heart function and components of fine and ultrafine particulate matter exposures, a study to determine the effects of air pollution on the neurological system, and measurement of in-use emissions from off-road sources to improve mobile source emissions inventories. This action is to execute an agreement with CARB to cosponsor these projects in an amount not to exceed $885,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. The estimated total cost of these projects is $18,544,000.
Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; the Committee members present communicated their concurrence and recommended that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.
- Approve Issuance of Program Announcement for Heavy-Duty Diesel Drayage Truck Replacement Program
Heavy-duty trucks are the leading source of diesel particulate matter emissions in the South Coast Air Basin and pose significant health risks to affected communities, especially around the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. To reduce emissions from these trucks, the AQMD in close cooperation with the two ports proposes to implement an incentive funding program to replace heavy-duty diesel trucks with new diesel or liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks. This action is to approve issuance of a Program Announcement for replacement of Model Year 2003 and older heavy duty diesel drayage trucks with new diesel or LNG trucks that are certified to meet the 2007 EPA emission standards.
[No action taken. Board Letter pending MOU discussion with the two ports and may have to go to the Board directly.]
- Execute Contracts for FY 2008-09 “Year 11” Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program and Issue Program Announcement for Surplus Off-Road Opt-In for NOx Provision
On May 1, 2009, proposals were received in response to the Program Announcement that was issued for the “Year 11” Carl Moyer Air Quality Standards Attainment Program. This action is to execute Carl Moyer Program contracts in an amount not
to exceed $6,065,287. This action is also to issue a Program Announcement for the Surplus Off-Road Opt-In for NOx (SOON) provision of the state in-use off-road vehicle regulation.
Supervisor Wilson recused himself from this item.
Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; Committee Member Yates communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.
- 4. Transfer Funds from Clean Fuels Program Fund and Carl Moyer Program Fund AB 923 Account to FY 2009-10 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 ongoing 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 Fund AB 923 Account to the FY 2009-10 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 present communicated their concurrence and recommended that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.
- Approve Addition of Funds to School Bus Replacement Awards under Proposition 1B Lower-Emission School Bus Program and Approve New Grants for School Bus Retrofits
Under the Proposition 1B Lower-Emission School Bus Program, CARB had previously allocated $70.1 million to the AQMD. The Program, however, was suspended in late 2008 due to the state’s severe economic condition. CARB has now re-initiated the program with the release of $44.8 million to the AQMD. This action is to approve the addition of $945,462 from the Carl Moyer Program AB 923 Fund to the school bus replacement awards approved in July and December 2008, to cover the recently enacted one percent sales tax increase in the amount of up to $460,713, and to cover the shortfall in state bond funds in the amount of $484,749. Furthermore, these actions are to approve the retrofit of 16 school buses in the amount of $320,000 from state bond funds and approve a backup list for school bus replacements. In addition, this action is to approve $95,300 from the Lower-Emission School Bus Fund, including $39,539 in unspent EPA school bus grant funds to cofund the purchase of PM trap cleaners.
Fred Minassian stated that on Wednesday, after the agenda was posted, the Air Resources Board first informed the District of some restrictions in Prop 1B funds that the District would be receiving and for that reason some changes in the Board Letter had to be made that require additional funds. Therefore, the synopsis for the program had to be edited. Fred Minassian also agreed that there is a need to take immediate action because there is a concern that if this is delayed until September, funding may be lost.
Mayor Yates moved that we find there is 1) a need to take immediate action regarding Agenda #5 to approve additional funds to cofund the purchase of PM trap cleaners and 2) that the need for action came to the attention of the District subsequent to posting of the agenda. Chairman Wilson concurred, and the item was included in the agenda, since the motion was unanimously approved.
Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; the Committee members present communicated their concurrence and recommended that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.
- Execute Contracts for Natural Gas Refueling Station Infrastructure
AQMD staff has received unsolicited funding requests from the County of Orange, Applied LNG Technologies (ALT) and Waste Management, Inc. (WM) to cost-share the installation of new and upgraded natural gas fueling equipment. This action is to execute sole source contracts with the County of Orange, ALT and WM for three fueling stations for a total amount not to exceed $615,680 from the Clean Fuels Fund. This action also recommends amending prior funding commitments to Burrtec, Merit Oil Company, First Student, City of Burbank and Yellow Cab Company for fueling infrastructure totaling $870,137 and revert these funds to the Clean Fuels Fund.
Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; the Committee members present communicated their concurrence and recommended that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.
Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.
The next meeting will be July 24. The meeting was adjourned.
Attachment (DOC, 26kb)
A - Attendance