BOARD MEETING DATE: September 11, 2009
AGENDA NO. 25
REPORT:
Technology Committee
SYNOPSIS:
The Technology Committee met on July 24, 2009. Major topics included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the September Board meeting. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on September 25, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file.
Dennis R. Yates, Vice Chairman
Technology Committee
Attendance: Committee Member Councilmember Tonia Reyes Uranga participated by video-teleconference; Mayor Dennis Yates was in attendance at District headquarters. Mayor Yates chaired the meeting in Supervisor Wilson’s absence.
SEPTEMBER BOARD AGENDA ITEMS
- California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team Report and Quarterly Activity Report
On April 3, 2009, the Board approved the proposal to renew membership with the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) for 2009. This report summarizes the California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team meeting held June 23-24, 2009 and provides an activity report for the period beginning January 2009.
Mayor Yates asked if this is part of the CA Hydrogen Highway Program (CAHHP), and whether it is providing funding for this program. Staff responded that this predated the CAHHP. Staff further stated that the California Energy Commission (CEC) allocated $40M in AB 118 in the first years; however, State budget money for this type of program is in question at this time.
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 Sole Source Contract and Issue RFP to Implement
Education/Training Element of Chairman’s Helping Hand Initiative
In February 2009, the Board approved the Chairman’s Helping Hand Initiative which includes development of an educational/training component for new technology installation and maintenance. To implement the education element, staff has been in discussions with Advanced Transportation Technology & Energy (ATTE) Network of California Community Colleges to develop a scope of work for enhanced training programs. This action is to execute a sole source contract with ATTE in an amount not to exceed $500,000 to develop curriculum to be offered at local community colleges. A second component is the development of outreach to truck operators on the availability of advanced engine technologies and improved fuel efficiency. This action is to issue an RFP for customer service centers at two major truck stops for an amount not to exceed $150,000. Sufficient funds are available from Clean Fuels Fund to execute the sole source contract and issue RFP. The overall effort to implement the education component of the Initiative will not exceed $1,000,000.
Councilmember Tonia Reyes Uranga asked what services will be provided at the customer service centers. Staff responded that they will be disseminating information about low-interest loans and various incentive programs to purchase port drayage trucks, informing truck drivers about regulations that apply to port drayage trucks both at the State and in the ports’ Clean Air Plan, and providing information about the Smart Highway Program for Class 8 trucks.
Councilmember Reyes Uranga asked if there is a truck center operating now. Staff indicated there is a port truck center at this time, which today was being heavily used because this is the last day for submission of clean truck applications. The centers are highly needed for future incentive programs. Staff also mentioned that the District wants to expand services to provide instruction on proper maintenance of advanced technologies (such as PM trap technologies), and to provide resources for finding these services.
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 FY 2008-09 “Year 11” Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program and Surplus Off-Road Opt-In for NOx Provision of State In-Use Off-Road Vehicle Regulation
On May 1, 2009, proposals were received in response to the program announcements that were issued for the “Year 11” Carl Moyer Air Quality Standards Attainment Program and the SOON Provision of the State In-Use Off-Road Vehicle Regulation. These actions are to execute contracts under the Carl Moyer Program and the SOON Provision in an amount not to exceed $23,593,629 from the Carl Moyer Program SB 1107 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.
- Execute Contracts to Cosponsor Demonstration Projects for Renewable Feedstocks for Energy and Fuel Technologies
The use of renewable feedstocks for energy production and transportation fuel is a necessary transition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide for domestic energy diversity. These conversion technologies, however, also need to be made as clean as possible, and the proposed two projects investigate this potential. The first proposed project is with Orange County Sanitation District for the demonstration of retrofit gas clean-up and catalytic after-treatment emission control technology on a biogas engine. This second proposed project is with the College of Engineering-Center for Environmental Research and Technology, University of California, Riverside, for a bench-scale demonstration project to produce natural gas from biomass waste using steam hydro-gasification process. The total for both projects is over $2.6 million with cost-share from the AQMD not to exceed $301,369 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
District Counsel staff explained that at this time they have not received all the necessary campaign contribution disclosure forms as required by Government Code Section 84308; therefore, District Counsel’s recommendation is that we continue this item until the next meeting.
Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.
The next meeting will be September 25. The meeting was adjourned.
Attachment (DOC, 24k)
A - Attendance