For Southern California to achieve the federal and state
clean air standards, we will have to reduce emissions from
both mobile and stationary sources much further than can be
expected with our current technologies. Therefore, in 1988,
the AQMD Governing Board established the Technology
Advancement Office to expedite the development,
demonstration and commercialization of cleaner technologies
and clean-burning fuels.
Cooperative Partnerships
The AQMD’s Technology Advancement Program uses
cooperative partnerships with private industry, academic and
research institutions, technology developers, and government
agencies to cosponsor projects intended to demonstrate the
successful use of clean fuels and technologies that lower or
eliminate emissions.
Typically, this public-private partnership enables the
AQMD to leverage its public funds with an average of $3 from
outside sources for every dollar contributed by the AQMD.
Many of the advanced technologies funded though these
public-private partnerships are now being commercialized in
the South Coast Air Basin.
Types of Projects Funded
Mobile source projects have included development and
demonstration of less-polluting automobiles, buses, trucks,
construction equipment, boats, locomotives and other
off-road vehicles. This has been done though advancements
in engine design, improved batteries, fuel cells (which
convert fuel directly to electricity without burning it),
and improved powertrains for electric vehicles. Other
projects involve adapting or designing vehicles to run on
clean fuels (such as natural gas, propane, methanol and
hydrogen), and developing the infrastructure needed to
produce and deliver those fuels.
On the stationary source front, technology advancement
projects have included a wide array of low-NOx combustion
systems, low-VOC coatings and processes, and clean energy
production systems including fuel cells, solar power, and
other renewable energy systems.
The technical areas identified as the highest priority
for the next three years include:
- Fuel cells for transportation and
power generation
- Diesel alternatives
- Electric and hybrid-electric
technologies
- Off-road applications of alternative
fuel technologies
- VOC reduction technologies for
stationary sources
- Infrastructure development
Funding of TAO Programs
One of the primary sources of funding for the AQMD’s
Technology Advancement Program is the Clean Fuels Program.
This program was mandated by state law, and is funded by a
$1 surcharge included in the annual vehicle registration fee
for every vehicle registered in the AQMD’s four-county
jurisdiction.
Another source of revenues is the Advanced Technology
Fund, which is composed of monies received from the
settlement of certain air pollution violations. The program
was established to help companies advance technology rather
than simply pay a fine in certain enforcement cases.
Implementation Programs
Even after technologies are successfully developed and
demonstrated, they often need a boost to promote their
commercialization and widespread use. The Technology
Advancement program uses a combination of regulations and
incentives to promote the commercialization of clean
technologies. For example, the AQMD has adopted a series of
fleet rules requiring
owners of vehicle fleets to purchase clean-fueled vehicles
when adding to or replacing their vehicles.
There are a number of statewide incentive programs that
encourage the transition to cleaner vehicles. Examples of
the statewide programs include:
A complete list of implementation incentive programs can
be found by clicking on
Implementation.
Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Committee (MSRC)
The TAO staff provide administrative
assistance to this committee.
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