REPORT:
Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee
SYNOPSIS:
Below is a summary of key issues addressed at the MSRC’s January 24,
2002 meeting. The next MSRC meeting is a joint retreat with its Technical
Advisory Committee to begin development of the FY 2002-03 Work Program.
The retreat will be offsite at the Country Suites Inn on Thursday,
February 28, 2002, at 12:30 p.m.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file.
Norma J. Glover
AQMD Representative on MSRC
Approval of Minutes
Minutes from the August 23, 2001 meeting were unanimously approved, as
submitted. The minutes are attached for your information (Attachment 1).
MSRC's CNG School Bus Funding Still Available
AQMD staff reported to the MSRC that the Governor's budget currently
excludes funding for the Carl Moyer and Lower-Emission School Bus Programs,
although a number of initiatives could result in funding for these programs.
It was pointed out, however, that the MSRC's CNG School Bus Buydown Program
has nearly $2 million still available for school districts. The Program
offers $50,000 per qualifying CNG school bus, and the school districts have
the flexibility to spend the money on the CNG buses and/or alternative fuels
infrastructure. The program commenced January 1, 2002 and ends on December
31, 2002, or until such time that all MSRC incentive funds have been
allocated. For more information the RFQ #Q2002-01 can be viewed and/or
downloaded from both the MSRC's web site (http://www.msrc-cleanair.org)
and the AQMD's web site (http://www.aqmd.gov).
Approval of Awards under the Diesel Particulate Trap Retrofit Program
as Part of the FY 2001-02 AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Work Program
In July 2001, as part of the FY 2001-02 AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Work
Program, the Board approved release of a Program Announcement for a $1
million Diesel Particulate Trap Retrofit Program. The program began October
1, 2001 and applications could be submitted until September 30, 2002, or
until such time as all available program funds have been expended. Proposals
totaling $1,615,000 were received within the first three weeks of the
program, and funds were available on a first-come, first-serve basis. At its
January 24, 2002 meeting, the MSRC considered recommendations from its
Technical Advisory Committee on the applications received under the Program
Announcement.
The MSRC discussed in length the concerns raised late last year regarding
the increase in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) when using traps. CARB issued a
letter to the MSRC reiterating both his support and commitment to trap
technologies, reassuring the MSRC that it is working with manufacturers to
reconfigure the traps such that they won't have the speciation change
between NO and NO2, that the traps effectively reduce toxic air
contaminants, and from a toxicity perspective that they continue to have a
benefit that overwhelms any slight increase in ozone formation. CARB also
stated that it is premature to assess the results since it is difficult to
understand the chemistry occurring within the traps.
At the conclusion of its meeting, the MSRC approved three awards totaling
$994,500, as follows: 1) a contract in the amount of $493,000 to City of Los
Angeles for 58 vehicle traps; 2) a contract in the amount of $93,500 to Pro
Express for 11 vehicle traps; and 3) a contract in the amount of $408,000 to
Long Beach Transit for 48 vehicle traps. The traps may be used only with
low-sulfur fuels.
The AQMD Governing Board will consider these awards on March 1, 2002,
under the consent calendar, as part of the FY 2001-02 Work Program.
Approval to Administer CARB-Funded Project with Stater Bros
The CARB, through its call for projects to purchase emissions reductions
to offset peaker plant emissions, asked the MSRC to administer an additional
project. Stater Bros. had applied under the MSRC's heavy-duty on-/off-road
RFP under the FY 2001-02 Work Program, but had not received funding because
of fiscal constraints. The CARB believes the project is worthwhile and meets
its criteria under the call for projects. The Stater Bros. project, Proposal
#P2001-08-04, would provide $472,065 for the purchase of 15 Class A LNG
tractors. The monies would be provided to the MSRC as pass-through funds. At
its January 24, 2002 meeting, the MSRC unanimously agreed to recognize the
CARB revenue, execute an agreement with Stater Bros, and administer the
project on behalf of the CARB. The 15 LNG heavy-duty vehicles will reduce
approximately 737 tons of NOx annually.
Report on Results and Achievements of Electric-Assist Bicycle
Incentive Program
As part of the FY 2000-01 Work Program, the MSRC released an RFQ for a
Regional Electric-Assist Bicycle Incentive Program, which provided $100,000
for buydowns up to $250 on the purchase of qualified electric bicycles. Four
qualified proposers were awarded contracts: Total EV, ZapWorld.com, EV
Global, and Giant Bicycle. To date 152 electric bicycles have sold under the
program. Of the $100,000 target funding, only $38,000 has been expended. The
results were disappointing, primarily because of the bankruptcy of Total EV
shortly after the launch of the program and ZapWorld.com's failure to
participate in the program due to staff changes and other mishaps. The
program currently ends March 31, 2002; it appears unlikely that the MSRC
will extend the program. The consensus was that monies would be better spent
on traditional bicycles.
Final Reports Received and Approved
The MSRC unanimously received and approved seven final reports, as
follows:
- Riverside Transit Agency Contract #99004, which provided $105,000
toward the purchase of three CNG buses;
- Omnitrans Contract #00006, which provided $800,000 towards the
purchase of 21 CNG transit buses;
- Riverside Transit Agency Contract #00007, which provided $592,710
towards the purchase of 15 CNG buses;
- Bike Stations, Inc. Contract #00025, which provided $39,222 towards an
Electric Station Bike Program;
- City of Moreno Valley Contract #00026, which provided $13,000 towards
establishment of Class III bicycle routes;
- Los Angeles World Airports Contract #99009, which provided $770,000
towards the purchase of 22 LNG shuttles; and
- County of Riverside Contract #00019, which provided $52,631 towards a
Rideshare Files Project.
All final reports are filed in the AQMD's Library.
Contract Modification Requests
The MSRC took the following actions on requested contract modifications:
- Cancellation of Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Contract
#00032, which was to provide $160,872 for development of a Transportation
Optimization Trip Efficiency Program, and return of $126,692 to the AB
2766 Discretionary Fund for reprogramming;
- Eighteen-month contractual term extension through April 30, 2004, on
Los Angeles County Sanitation District Contract #01021, which provides
$1,703,000 towards the purchased and/or repower of heavy-duty vehicles and
refueling infrastructure;
- Six-month contractual term extension through July 31, 2002, on
Southern California Association of Governments Contract #00021, which
provides $68,794 for development of a ridestar automated survey; and
- Three-month contractual term extension through May 21, 2002, on
Metallic Power, Inc. Contract #96013, which provides $189,000 to develop a
metal-air battery.
The MSRC also received and filed a letter from CATTRAC declining its FY
2001-02 award in the amount of $137,352 to repower three off-road vehicles.
Contract Administrator Report
The MSRC's AB 2766 Contract Administrator provided a written status
report on all open contracts from FY 1995-96 through the present. This
Contract Administrator Report is attached for your information
(Attachment 2).
Attachments
Attachment 1 - Approved August 23, 2001 MSRC Minutes
Attachment 2 - Contract Administrator Report
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