BOARD MEETING DATE: December 3, 2010
AGENDA NO. 31
REPORT:
Technology Committee
SYNOPSIS:
The Technology Committee met on November 19, 2010. 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 21, 2011 at 12 p.m. in CC-8.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Receive and file.
Dennis R. Yates
Technology Committee
Attendance: Mayor Dennis Yates, in attendance at District headquarters, chaired the meeting. Committee Member Judith Mitchell was also in attendance at District headquarters. Committee Member Miguel Pulido participated by video-teleconference. Committee Members John Benoit, William Burke, and Josie Gonzales were absent due to a conflict with their schedules.
DECEMBER BOARD AGENDA ITEMS
Modify HEROS II Program Elements and Execute Sole Source Contract to Implement HEROS II, Sign Memorandum of Agreement to Assist Implementation of Unocal Settlement Program, Recognize Revenues and Adopt Resolution to Implement AB 118 Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program, and Reimburse the Carl Moyer Fund from the Clean Fuels Fund
There is a need to modify the original Phase II High Emitter Repair or Scrap (HEROS) Program as approved by the Board on October 2, 2009. This action is to 1) rescind the prior contract awards and to execute a sole source contract with the Foundation for California Community Colleges in an amount not to exceed $668,410 and rescind prior allocation of $1,900,000 from AB 923 Fund, 2) create the HEROS II Special Revenue Fund, and 3) transfer $1,866,240 from Moyer Fund 32, $56,915 from the AB 923 Fund, and $189,855 from the Clean Fuels Fund to the HEROS II Special Revenue Fund to implement Phase II HEROS. CARB has requested the AQMD to implement the AB 118 Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program. This action is to adopt a resolution to recognize up to $2,708,000 for the implementation of the vehicle replacement voucher component of the Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program. Lastly, this action is to reimburse the Carl Moyer Fund with $308,339 from the Clean Fuels Fund to cover administrative costs from the first HEROS Program.
During the public comment period a question was asked if the proposed HEROS Program is coordinated with California’s smog check program and testing. Staff commented that in accordance with CARB guidance for AB 923 scrappage and replacement program, vehicles on-cycle with their smog check due date must be referred to the Consumer Assistance Program as part of California’s Smog Check Program.
Moved by Pulido; seconded by Mitchell; unanimously approved.
Execute Contracts for In-Use Emissions Testing and Demonstration of Retrofit Technology of On-Road Heavy-Duty Engines
In July 2010, the Board released an RFP to conduct in-use emissions testing of on-road heavy-duty engines, and based on these emissions tests, develop and evaluate the performance and emission-reduction potential of retrofit technology for control of on-road heavy-duty engines. Three proposals were received in response to the RFP. This action is to award contracts to West Virginia University and the University of California, Riverside to conduct the in-use testing, at a total cost not to exceed $1,424,484 from the Clean Fuels Program Fund.
Councilmember Mitchell asked where West Virginia University will do the testing. Staff responded that WVU will do the testing locally using a mobile laboratory, which the AQMD has utilized for many years.
Councilmember Mitchell also asked why both WVU and UC Riverside were selected. Staff indicated that the two labs were selected in order to utilize both resources and to verify and corroborate several duplicate duty-cycle test cases.
Moved by Mitchell; seconded by Pulido; unanimously approved.
Change Funding Source in Carl Moyer Program and SOON Provision Contracts and Awards Between AB 923 and SB 1107 Funds
The Carl Moyer Program and the SOON Provision projects funded either with the Carl Moyer Program SB 1107 or AB 923 funds are all evaluated under the same criteria, and AB 923 funds may be used as match to SB 1107 funds. After consultations with CARB it was agreed that marine vessel and locomotive projects funded with AB 923 funds should instead be funded with on- and off-road projects using SB 1107 funds so that all the projects funded with AB 923 funds can be claimed as match. This action is to change the Funding Source in selected Carl Moyer and SOON Program awards and contracts between the Carl Moyer Program AB 923 funding and SB 1107 funding to meet the program’s match funding requirement.
Moved by Pulido; seconded by Mitchell; unanimously approved.
Recognize Funds, Approve School Bus Replacement Grants and Issue Program Announcement for School Bus Retrofits
U.S. EPA has granted $1,065,465 to the AQMD for assistance in school bus replacement projects. Furthermore, AQMD has now received the remaining balance of the Proposition 1B-School Bus Program. These actions are to recognize funds from the U.S. EPA, approve awards for 128 CNG and 18 propane school bus replacements in an amount not to exceed $23,769,072 from the Proposition 1B and the AB 923 funds and to issue a Program Announcement to provide funding assistance for retrofit of school buses with PM trap filters.
Moved by Pulido; seconded by Mitchell; unanimously approved.
Renew AQMD’s Membership in CaFCP for Calendar Year 2011, 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 2011 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 2011 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.
Mayor Yates asked about the status of hydrogen dispensing for commercial sale.
Staff responded that work is currently being conducted by the Division of Weights and Measures to develop a fuel metering protocol, which will be tested at the West Sacramento hydrogen station.
Moved by Mitchell; seconded by Pulido; unanimously approved.
Execute Contract for Expansion of Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure
On October 21, 2010, the California Energy Commission released a Notice of Proposed Award recommending funding for eight projects that will develop hydrogen fueling infrastructure within the South Coast Air Basin. Additional funds are needed to offset high initial costs and investment for production and distribution of hydrogen for these projects. The eight stations are strategically located and will play a significant role by providing hydrogen in Southern California in areas with high vehicle densities. This action is to execute a contract with Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 from the Clean Fuels Program Fund for expansion of hydrogen fueling infrastructure.
Mayor Yates asked about the source for hydrogen at the stations. Staff responded the source is natural gas, but as a requirement for state funding, 33% will be from a renewable feedstock.
Councilmember Mitchell asked how long will it take to build these hydrogen stations and when will hydrogen cars be deployed in volume. Staff answered it will take approximately 12-18 months to build most of the stations; in the 2012-2014 timeframe there should be about 4,000 fuel cell vehicles.
Moved by Mitchell; seconded by Pulido; unanimously approved.
Public Comment Period – Rita Loof, of RadTech International, requested the Committee not overlook advanced stationary control technologies, especially as regulations for stationary sources become more stringent.
Other Business – There was no other business.
The next meeting will be January 21.
Attachment (DOC, 27k)
A - Attendance