BOARD MEETING DATE: May 1, 2009
AGENDA NO. 5

PROPOSAL:

Expand Scope of Advanced Technology, Outreach and Education Fund and Execute Contract to Cosponsor Pilot Program to Retrofit Lithographic Presses to New Low-VOC Technology

SYNOPSIS:

Many printing companies have automatic blanket wash systems where cleanup solvent is sprayed onto the blanket and a dry cloth is engaged to wipe off ink and other debris from the blanket. A new generation of automatic blanket wash systems has been demonstrated to replace the automatic dry cloth material. This action is to execute a contract with the Printing Industries Association of Southern California to accelerate the retrofit of existing lithographic presses equipped with dry cloth automatic cleanup systems to a new, low-VOC technology in an amount not to exceed $80,000 from the Advanced Technology, Outreach and Education Fund, as well as expand the scope of this fund to include demonstration projects.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, April 17, 2009, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

1. Make the following findings expanding the scope of the Advanced Technology, Outreach and Education Fund:
2. The Advanced Technology, Outreach and Education Fund has satisfied all specific contractual obligations for the use of funds therein such that the fund is now a fund subject to the Board’s discretion concerning the uses of the fund; and
3. It is in the public interest to expand the purposes of the fund to include demonstration projects, in addition to research, development, public outreach and education related to advanced technology and to air pollution and its impacts; and
4. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with the Printing Industries Association of Southern California to retrofit lithographic presses with new low-VOC technology at a cost not to exceed $80,000 from the Advanced Technology, Outreach and Education Fund.
    

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

A major source of VOC emissions in printing operations comes from the cleanup of blankets on lithographic printing presses. Traditionally, a press operator applies the cleanup solvent onto the blanket and wipes the cloth across the blanket to remove ink and other debris. Some operators rinse the blanket after applying the solvent with a wet wipe cloth. After cleaning with solvent, a dry wipe cloth is applied to dry the blanket.

Many printing companies have presses equipped with automated blanket wash systems where the cleanup solvent is applied onto the blanket with a spray bar, and then a dry cleaning cloth automatically engages and wipes the blanket clean. A newer technology for automatic blanket wash cleaning systems eliminates the spraying of cleanup solvent onto the blanket. Instead, the cleaning cloth is presoaked in a very low VOC solvent then engages and wipes the blanket clean. This technology is highly effective and greatly reduces VOC emissions from blanket cleanup operations.

There are approximately 5,000 lithographic printing units (1,250 presses at an average of four units per press) in the AQMD with dry cloth automatic blanket wash cleaning systems. The objective of this project is to convert as many lithographic presses with dry cloth automatic cleaning systems to the presoaked cloth automatic systems.
 

Proposal

The Advanced Technology, Outreach and Education Fund was established as a special revenue fund for revenues received as a result of fines, penalties, and settlements from air pollution violations. Staff is proposing to expand the scope of this fund to include demonstration projects for low emitting technologies.

Additionally, staff is proposing to execute a sole-source contract with the Printing Industries Association of Southern California (PIASC) to cofund a pilot program to initiate the retrofit of lithographic presses with dry cloth automatic cleaning systems to the presoaked cloth automatic systems. Conversion will be cost-shared by the end user, the equipment manufacturer or supplier, and the AQMD.

PIASC will promote the pilot program and develop guidelines for interested parties to participate. The guidelines will include the following criteria:

1. The end user will have a dry cloth automatic cleanup system;
2. The end user will obtain a quote from the equipment manufacturer for the cost to convert to the presoaked automatic cloth system;
3. The end user and equipment manufacturer will certify that each will contribute one-third of the cost of conversion;
4. PIASC will screen the paperwork and submit to AQMD for approval, at which time the AQMD will commit to fund one-third of the conversion; and
5. Upon conversion, the manufacturer will submit an invoice to AQMD for reimbursement of its one-third commitment.
    

Sole Source Justification

In the “Procurement Policy and Procedure” document, Section VIII outlines the provisions for awarding a sole-source contract. Specifically, under item B. 2.d, “Other circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Officer require such waiver in the best interests of the AQMD,” namely (1) “Projects involving cost sharing by multiple sponsors.”

The lithographic press conversion project includes a proposed cost share by the end users, equipment suppliers and the AQMD.
 

Benefits to AQMD

The AQMD has been active in promoting the development and demonstration of low-VOC alternative cleaners for lithographic presses. This project will provide better air quality by further reducing VOC emissions beyond those called for in the AQMD solvent cleaning rule for cleanup of lithographic press blankets. Other non-air pollution benefits from the project include reduced solvent wastes, improved productivity, and better workers’ safety by eliminating hand wiping of blankets when press is in operation. Reduced VOC emissions will also help Southern California printers achieve the formal designation as a Sustainable Green Printing (SGP) Partnership printer.
 

Resource Impacts

The cost of retrofitting a lithographic press can range from $3,000 for a two-color press (2 units) to $9,000 for a six-color press (6 units). It is estimated that 40 to 50 presses will be converted. The estimated total project cost is $247,000 with an in-kind estimated contribution of $7,000 by PIASC. The total amount of AQMD funding for this project shall not exceed $80,000. Sufficient funds are available from the Advanced Technology, Outreach and Education Fund. This fund was established as a special revenue fund for revenues received as a result of fines, penalties, and settlements from air pollution violations. These settlement payments by the violators are to be used by the AQMD to support the development and demonstration of advanced technologies, and the assessment of resulting emissions benefits.