July 11, 2003
A zero-emission, fuel cell-powered water taxi and 10 ultra-low-emission sport
utility vehicle limousines will be developed under projects approved this month
by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
“We still have much left to do to achieve healthy air quality in Southern
California,” said Barry Wallerstein, AQMD’s executive officer.
“Pleasure boats and sport utility vehicles both are responsible for
significant amounts of smog-forming emissions and thus present good
opportunities for emission reductions through the development of clean air
technologies.”
At its regular monthly meeting on July 11, AQMD’s Governing Board approved
$101,000 to demonstrate a 30-foot water taxi for two years in Newport Harbor.
Instead of being powered by a diesel engine, which can emit significant amounts
of smog- and fine particulate-forming emissions, the taxi will use a
zero-emission fuel cell to charge batteries for an electric motor.
The total project cost for the water taxi, including contributions from Duffy
Boats and the Center for Commercial Deployment of Transportation Technologies at
Cal State Long Beach, is $781,000. Other team members participating in the
project are Seaworthy Systems and Millennium Cell.
The Board also approved $100,000 to convert 10 sport utility vehicles to
low-emitting, compressed natural gas-fueled limousines. Evo Transportation Inc.
of Los Angeles will convert 10 full-length GMC 2500 trucks into customized, CNG-powered
limousines. The company, which already has converted one SUV to natural gas
power, specializes in providing limousine service to high-profile clients in the
entertainment industry. With contributions from Evo and GMC, the total project
cost will be $450,000.
In other action, the Board:
- Set a public hearing for Aug. 1 to consider adoption of the region’s 2003
Air Quality Management Plan;
- Implemented an Environmental Justice program to offer an expedited
environmental review process for projects that include “Super Clean Air
Actions.” Examples of such actions include purchasing new clean-fueled school
buses with oxidation catalysts, or replacing perchloroethylene dry cleaning
machines with non-toxic cleaning systems;
- Modified the Board’s $2 million incentive program for dry cleaners to
switch to non-toxic technologies. Grants for conversion to carbon dioxide
cleaning systems will be increased from $10,000 to $20,000, due to the high
capital cost of such systems. Grants for silicon-based systems will be
suspended, due to possible toxicity of the compound used; and
- Adopted an amendment to Rule 1162 – Polyester Resin Operations, to delay
by one year the implementation of one portion of the rule to allow for testing
and evaluation of compliant equipment.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions
of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
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