Technology Advancement

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. 

Public-private partnerships have enabled the AQMD to leverage its public funds with, typically, an average of $3 from outside investment for every dollars contributed by AQMD, providing funding to encourage the use of commercially available, low-emission mobile and stationary technologies.  Many of the advanced technologies funded though these public-private partnerships are now being commercialized in the South Coast Air Basin.  See Implementation

Types of Projects Funded

Since its inception, TAO has cofunded research, development and demonstration projects in a cooperative partnership with private industry, technology developers, academic and research institutes, and local, state, and federal agencies. 

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

See RD & D

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 that will gradually shift public agencies and certain private entities to lower emissions by purchasing alternative fuel vehicles whenever a fleet operator with 15 or more vehicles replaces or adds new vehicles.  See Fleet Rules

There are a number of incentive programs that encourage the transition to cleaner vehicles.  Examples of the programs include:

• The Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program

• Lower-Emission School Bus Program

• MSERC & Area Source Credit Programs

• Prop 1B Funding for Reducing Emissions from Goods Movement

• Rule 2202 Air Quality Investment Program (AQIP)

• Rule 1121 Mitigation Fee Program

• "SOON" Program Funding for Clean-up of Off-Road Diesel Vehicles

A complete list of implementation incentive programs can be found by clicking on Implementation.

Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC)

In 1990, a bill that is still commonly referred to as "AB2766" became law in California (Health & Safety Code §44220-44247).  The law prescribes an additional motor vehicle registration fee to create an air pollution reduction fund.  Monies from this fund are used to implement programs to reduce air pollution from motor vehicles pursuant to air quality plans and provisions of the California Clean Air Act.  The law also created this Committee (commonly referred to by its abbreviated acronym "MSRC") to administer the fund.  AQMD's TAO staff provide administrative assistance to this committee.