SR-510-012 (12)~_ . .
~ ~;tyof City Council Report
Santa Monica~
City Council Meeting: June 13, 2006
Agenda Item: ~
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 ineeting the 2010 Federal standards. The
project will also identify strategies for mitigating the impacts associated with greater use
of biodiesel.
{n 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)
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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.
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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:
Craig Perkins `
Director - E ironmental & Public Works
Management Department
Forwarded to Council:
_ ~~if~"
. amont Ewell
ity Manager
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