BOARD MEETING DATE: May 7, 2010
AGENDA NO. 7
PROPOSAL:
Execute Contract to Re-establish Testing Facility and Quantify PM Emission Reductions from Commercial Charbroiling Operations
SYNOPSIS:
The University of California, Riverside, CE-CERT, under a contract with AQMD, previously developed a protocol to measure emissions from commercial charbroilers. This action is to execute a contract with CE-CERT to re-establish a testing facility and conduct source testing of current control technologies applied to under-fired charbroilers to quantify particulate matter emission reductions, in an amount not to exceed $60,000 from the Clean Fuels Program Fund.
COMMITTEE:
Technology, April 16, 2010, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with CE-CERT to re-establish a testing facility and conduct source testing of air pollution control technologies designed to reduce PM emissions from under-fired charbroilers, in an amount not to exceed $60,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund (31).
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
The AQMD has been looking for cost-effective control technologies for under-fired charbroilers since control measures for emissions from this source category first appeared in the 1989 AQMP. In November 1997, the Governing Board adopted Rule 1138 - Control of Emissions from Restaurant Operations, which requires emission reductions from chain-driven charbroilers. Testing has shown that the majority of PM emissions from restaurant under-fired charbroilers are PM2.5, for which the District is in non-attainment status. CE-CERT previously developed a testing protocol and conducted emission testing related to chain-driven and under-fired charbroilers.
Rule 1138 is scheduled for amendment this year to add requirements for under-fired charbroilers. In August 2000, staff reported to the Board that cost-effective controls for under-fired charbroilers were limited and recommended substituting the remaining 0.9 tons/day of VOC emissions assigned to this source category with reductions from rules achieving more VOC emissions than the SIP commitment for those rules. In December 2004, the Board adopted findings of infeasibility, and substituted emission reductions from other adopted rules pursuant to the 2003 AQMP. Staff also recommended funding demonstration projects for under-fired charbroilers and, although the Board authorized up to $200,000 from mitigation fees from the Priority Reserve, no applications were received.
Since 2004, technologies have developed to the point where staff believes cost-effective controls are commercially available, but testing of emission reduction capabilities is needed to support rule development.
The 2007 AQMP, Control Measure #2007 BCM-05, addresses PM reductions from under-fired charbroilers. The measure specifically calls for PM2.5 reductions from under-fired charbroilers. This control measure is part of the agency’s PM2.5 attainment strategy.
Proposal
Staff seeks funding to re-establish the testing facility at CE-CERT and additional funds to help defray the cost to manufacturers of the control equipment to be tested. The cost to re-establish the testing facility at CE-CERT is estimated to be approximately $33,000, which will require the installation of natural gas, electricity, ventilation and a fire suppression system to an enclosed chamber where the technologies will be tested. The equipment will be calibrated and maintained according to all applicable standards and protocols. Staff further recommends cost-sharing, with the manufacturers, to conduct emissions testing and analyses of up to three devices at a cost of up to $27,000. The most promising commercial or near-commercial technologies will be selected by staff for testing of the equipment by CE-CERT. The testing program, using an established protocol, will support rule development.
Benefits to the AQMD
This project assists in progress towards attainment of federal and state PM2.5 standards in that it supports the proposal to amend Rule 1138 to achieve PM2.5 emissions as called for in the 2007 AQMP. Implementation of the proposed amended rule will also result in a decrease in visible emissions from this industry. This project is included in the Technology Advancement Office 2010 Plan Update under “Develop and Demonstrate Clean Stationary Technologies.”
Sole Source Justification
Section VIII.B.2 of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four major provisions under which a sole source award may be justified. This request for a sole source award is made under provision B.2.c.; specifically B.2.c(1): The unique experience and capabilities of the proposed contractor or contractor team, and B.2.c(3): The contractor has ownership of key assets required for project performance. CE-CERT previously developed a testing protocol and also conducted emissions tests at their facility on charbroilers.
Outreach
Staff will work with the Proposed Amended Rule 1138 Working Group to contact potential candidates. The Working Group has been meeting since October 2008 and includes representatives from: academia, affected industries, consultants, air pollution control equipment manufacturers, equipment installers, an industry association (e.g., California Restaurant Association), and utilities (e.g., natural gas and electricity). Staff has also closely worked with other California air districts in this endeavor, as they too are seeking PM reductions from this source category.
Resource Impacts
The total cost for this project is $60,000.
Sufficient funds are available in the Clean Fuels Fund, which is established as special revenue from the state-mandated Clean Fuels Program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code Sections 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code Section 9250.11, establishes mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile and stationary sources to support projects to increase the utilization of clean fuels, including the development of the necessary advanced enabling technologies. Funds collected from emission fee surcharges on stationary sources emitting more than 250 tons of pollutants per year are restricted, by statute, to be used for projects and program activities related to stationary sources that support the objectives of the Clean Fuels Program. The subject project using stationary advanced aftertreatment technology will be supported by fee surcharges from stationary sources.