PROPOSAL:
Allocate Additional Funds from
Rule 1309.1 Priority Reserve and Increase Funding Limit to Retrofit Diesel
Backup Generators Owned by Schools
SYNOPSIS:
At its October 1, 2004 meeting,
the Board approved grants to schools to retrofit diesel backup generators
with particulate traps. This action is to increase the amount of grants
for the retrofit of backup generators with ratings of more than 125
kilowatt from $20,000 to up to $35,000 with applicants providing at least
two or more separate bids. In cases when the cost exceeds $35,000, staff
will seek approval from the Board on a case by case basis. In addition,
this action is also to allocate an additional $250,000 from the Rule
1309.1 Priority Reserve Fund for the retrofit of diesel backup generators
owned by schools on a first come first served basis.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
- Authorize an increase in funding limit from $20,000 to $35,000 for
retrofit of school diesel backup generators above 125 kW.
- Allocate an additional $250,000 from the Rule 1309.1 Priority
Reserve Fund for the retrofit of diesel backup generators owned by
schools.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
At its April 2, 2004 meeting, the Board adopted Rule 1470 – Requirements
for Stationary Diesel-Fueled Internal Combustion and Other Compression
Ignition Engines to protect school children from diesel PM emissions from
emergency standby engines, by installing PM traps on generators located near
a school site. As part of the Board’s resolution adopting Rule 1470,
financial assistance is offered to install PM traps on diesel backup
generators owned by a school or a school district located on or near school
grounds. The Board has periodically approved funds to be used for this
objective from the Lower Emission School Bus Fund and the Rule 1309.1
Priority Reserve Fund. The total amount of funds allocated to date is
$782,500.
At its October 1, 2004 meeting, the Board approved $305,000 in grants to
11 schools to retrofit 27 diesel backup generators with particulate traps.
The funding opportunity was kept open without an expiration date, and future
awards would be on a first-come basis. Since October 2004, seven additional
schools received funds for up to $226,000 to retro-fit 13 diesel generators.
From the original $782,500, a balance of about $251,000 remains in the fund.
Proposal
To accommodate more applications from schools, staff is recommending that
the Board approve allocation of an additional $250,000 from the Rule 1309.1
Priority Reserve Fund to help fund the retrofit of diesel backup generators.
Staff is also recommending that Board approve the following actions:
- Maintain the funding limit of $12,500 for the retrofit of diesel
backup generators of sizes up to 125 kW.
- Increase the funding limit from $20,000 to up to $35,000 to retrofit
diesel backup generators of sizes above 125 kW, for applicants providing
two or more separate bids.
Benefits to AQMD
The AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies
and clean-burning fuels in Southern California to achieve air quality
standards. Schools routinely test, maintain and operate diesel backup
generator sets in close proximity to students, teachers and neighbors. Many
generator sets are located in heavily populated areas. The successful
implementation of the diesel backup generator retrofit program will reduce
the exposure of school children and the general public to toxic diesel PM
emissions.
Resource Impacts
The total amount of allocation for retrofitting diesel back up generators
with PM traps shall not exceed $250,000 in additional funding from the Rule
1309.1 Priority Reserve Fund. There are sufficient funds in the Rule 1309.1
Priority Reserve to cover this additional requested funding.
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