City Council Meeting: June 13, 2006

Agenda Item: 1-E

To: Mayor and City Council 

From: Craig Perkins, Director – Environmental and Public Works Management

Subject: Participation in a Project with the South Coast Air Quality Management District for the Development & Demonstration of Biodiesel Fuel with Selective Catalytic Reduction

Recommended Action

It is recommended that City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with the South Coast Air Quality Management District for participation in a project for the Development & Demonstration of Biodiesel Fuel with Selective Catalytic Reduction.

Executive Summary

The City’s participation in a project with South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) will demonstrate the viability of biodiesel in tandem with selective catalytic reduction to attain emissions capable of meeting the 2010 Federal standards. The project will also identify strategies for mitigating the impacts associated with greater use of biodiesel.

In 1996, the City adopted a Sustainable City Plan which included the reduction of emissions through the use of alternative fuels. Biodiesel is not currently recognized by the AQMD as an alternative fuel because of an increase in NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen) emissions. This project will demonstrate technology to reduce NOx emissions which may allow biodiesel to be recognized as an alternative fuel. There is no budget impact to the City of Santa Monica.

Discussion

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel derived from plant products. When used in diesel engines, 100 percent biodiesel and 20 percent blends of biodiesel with petroleum diesel have demonstrated reductions in particulate matter, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbons and greenhouse gases. When compared to petroleum diesel fuel, however, NOx emissions have a tendency to increase with biodiesel.

Selective catalytic reduction devices have been used for many years to control NOx emissions from power plants, large stationary reciprocating engines, and gas turbines. Recently, smaller selective catalytic reduction systems have been commercialized for truck and bus engines. The European Union has also embraced the use of selective catalytic reduction devices on heavy-duty diesel vehicles to meet their NOx emissions standards. To demonstrate the viability of biodiesel in tandem with selective catalytic reduction, two 2005 International 9200i truck tractors (test trucks) used in refuse transfer service currently operating on a 20 percent blend of biodiesel with petroleum diesel fuel will be tested using the selective catalytic reduction technology.

The total proposed cost for the project is approximately $280,000. Funding for this project will come from various sources including a $140,000 contribution from AQMD. Cost-sharing is anticipated from LA BioFuel in the amount of $30,000; National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the amount of $25,000; Extengine Transport Systems, LLC in the amount of $22,500; Combustion Components Associates, Inc., in the amount of $22,500; and, California Energy Commission in the amount of $10,000.

Budget/Financial Impact

The in-kind cost-sharing for the City of Santa Monica is estimated at $30,000 and will come from the in-kind services by the Fleet Management Division, including the estimated cost of downtime for the vehicles and time spent tracking and recording data by City employees.

Prepared by: Rick Sikes, Fleet Superintendent

Approved:	Forwarded to Council:
Craig Perkins, Director - Environmental & Public Works Management Department	P. Lamont Ewell City Manager