SE Fuels Fix - Fall '09

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Fuels Fix SOUTHEASTERN

FALL 2009 - FuelsFix.com

INSIDE THIS

ISSUE OF THE FIX

Alabama Clean Fuels Newest Designated Member of DOE Clean CIties Program Central Florida Get Ready Initiative Carolina Blue Skies and Green Jobs Initiative Awarded $12.9 Million Propane Takes Off in Virginia Funding for Waste to Biodiesel Project Announced in NC

Clean Cities Looks Ahead ...


EZINE INNARDS After Its 15 Year Anniversary - Clean Cities Looks Ahead to the Next Five Years NGV’s: The Times They Are a-Changin’

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BY MARCY ROOD-WERPY Clean Cities embarks on a strategic planning process.

Alabama Clean Fuels Designated

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BY MARK BENTLEY Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition Designated as the Newest Member of the DOE National Clean Cities Program

Carolina Blue Skies and Green Jobs Initiative Awarded $12.9 Million

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BY KATHY BOYER The Triangle J Council of Governments is one of the 25 DOE Clean Cities awards

Clean Cities Connections THE FIX EDITORS Jonathan Overly

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BY OUR SOUTHEASTERN ALT FUEL PARTNERS Meet the supporters of the Southeastern Fuels Fix!

East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition jgoverly@utk.edu

Chelsea Jenkins Virginia Clean Cities cjenkins@hrccc.org

A Simple Plug-in Solution - Terex® HyPower™

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BY DAVID HANKS HyPowerTM is a simple but sophisticated device that uses a battery-powered electrical system to lift people into the air

THE FIX DESIGNERS Jacob Krekorian, www.krekura.com Jonathan Overly, Chelsea Jenkins

FuelsFix.com

Florida Hosts EPAct Workshops

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The Southeastern Fuels Fix is published

BY LARRY ALLEN Regional, alternative fuels technical assistance workshops help to overcome barriers to increased alternative fuels usage

quarterly and produced by the DOE Clean Cities coalitions in the southeastern United States. Advertising information may be obtained by contacting either of the editors. All

Clean Cities ‘Question of the Month’

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advertising revenue goes to coalitions

BY STACY NOBLET The Clean Cities Technical Response Service answers the question of how alt fuels contributes to “green” jobs

to help maintain activities focused on putting alternative fuel and efficient transportation technologies on the streets in the southeastern U.S.

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Propane Takes Off in Virginia

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BY CHELSEA JENKINS Virginia Receives $8.6 million for propane corridor project and propane school buses piloted by Gloucester County


Florida’s Natural Gas Revival BY JEFF GREENE Wise Gas, along with other stakeholders in Florida, have successfully revived municipal CNG projects

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Stimulating ET Alt Fuel Activities BY JONATHAN OVERLY East Tennessee ARRA-based propane and TSE activities, and the new EV fleet at the University of Tennessee Knoxville

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Go Green, Drive Clean! BY AMY LAWRENCE The Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition holds its first “Go Green, Drive Clean” ride-n-drive event

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Clean Cities Kids works to empower children in GA

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Southeast Alt Fuels Matrix BY SOUTHEAST COORDINATORS Here lies our best information on public alternative fuel stations across all nine states in our region

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It’s a Bus, It’s a Plane, It’s a Barge, It’s a... BY MELISSA HOWELL Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition works with partners across the state to move cargo more cost effectively and cleanly

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SE Smart Fuel Events BY SOUTHEAST COORDINATORS Find out what alternative fuel events are just around the bend in the southeast

Virginia’s First Propane School Bus Fleet

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Central Florida Get Ready Initiative BY BILL YOUNG Space Coast Clean Cities Coalition works with the Rocky Mountain Institute to prepare for the plug-in revolution

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Funding for Waste to Biodiesel Project Announced BY JASON WAGER & SARAH NIESS An $85,000 grant will fund the development of a feasibility study for using municipal waste to create biodiesel in NC

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East Tennessee EV Show reveals EVs to the Masses

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Biodiesel and TSE in Alabama BY MARK BENTLEY Corridors V in Alabama targeted for increased biodiesel infrastructure and Alabama Clean Fuels awarded $1.25 million for TSE

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After Its 15 Year Anniversary - Clean Cities Looks Ahead to the Next Five Years Contributed by Linda Bluestein and Marcy Rood Werpy

The year 2009 was no doubt a milestone for the national U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Clean Cities Program—an anniversary celebration, attention by a new Administration and Congress resulting in much larger program funding and grant funding for alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies, and now ascension toward the development of a five-year strategic plan. With amazing new opportunities for Clean Cities due to budget growth and impetus by the Clean Cities network at the 2008 Leadership Retreat, the national program is embarking on the development of a fiveyear strategic plan that will examine current market barriers of each of the portfolio elements and determine priority strategies—with the goal of greater market penetration.

experts at national laboratories. After each presentation that discussed among other topics, the state of the technology, supply, pricing, barriers, and opportunities, workshop participants were able to add to any barriers not addressed and list additional opportunities focusing on partnerships and collaboration; outreach and information sharing; training; technical support; and deployment and demonstration projects. All of the feedback, including additional feedback submitted and gathered after the workshop, and the authors’ papers, will be considered for the final Clean Cities Strategic Plan.

During the next few months, Cambridge Concord Associates (CCA), an independent firm from Cambridge, MA, with a proven track record in managing complex strategic planning assignments, will analyze and synthesize the data to complete the final plan. CCA has worked with various industry and nonprofits, such as the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, and Harvard Medical School’s Partners While coalitions in the Southeast (and throughout the nation) Healthcare System, to develop similar plans. develop priorities based on local market situations, such as the supply of fuel, fleet needs, vehicle availability, resources, With input from Clean Cities coordinators and other etc. and may only focus stakeholders, DOE and on a select few areas, the Argonne National Laboratory national program must offer will assist the CCA team tools, training and resources throughout the process to to Clean Cities coalitions in ensure the overall direction multiple fuels and vehicle of the plan is on course. It technologies, giving local is expected that the plan will coalitions the opportunity include a list of three to five to pick and choose. The highly integrated strategic national program has directions and accompanying always focused on trying strategies to achieve them, to accelerate the market as well as a description of for traditional transportation alternative fuels—biofuels, the rationale for each strategic direction. There will also be natural gas, propane, and electricity—and since 2004 has a section on how Clean Cities can best measure progress. expanded the effort to include hybrids, and the promotion DOE is anticipating that the plan will be final at the end of of fuel economy measures and anti-idling measures. The February, 2010. The plan will be instrumental in guiding strategic plan will examine each of these areas and will look future programmatic priorities. at emerging technologies, such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and renewable natural gas in the effort to achieve To review the working papers on the various Clean Cities greater petroleum reduction, replacement, or elimination. “In fuels and technologies and for more information on the an effort to be truly strategic and focused, we hope to have strategic planning process, please visit http://www1.eere. greater success in the overall marketplace, while still giving energy.gov/cleancities/strategyws.html. local coalitions the ability to be flexible to meet their market needs,” said Linda Bluestein, Co-Director of the DOE Clean Cities Program. The strategic planning process began at the Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicle Strategy Workshop held on September 22 and 23, 2009 at DOE with Clean Cities coordinators, industry and government stakeholders to hear presentations based on draft working papers authored by

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Alabama Clean Fuels Designated as the Newest Member of the DOE National Clean Cities Program The Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition (ACFC) serves a population of 4.5 million within all 67 counties of Alabama.

Contributed by Mark Bentley

The coalition sprung from a 1999 Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Environmental Committee effort to determine “best practices” to reduce dependence on foreign oil, increase economic development and improve air quality in a ten county region of Central Alabama. Originally named Central Alabama Clean Cities, the coalition was legally incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in August of 2002, gaining 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in May 2004..

a designated U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities program. Since Bentley’s arrival, the coalition has worked diligently on the Comprehensive Clean Cities Program Plan following the very detailed DOE Clean Cities Designation Guide. After reviewing the draft plan with Board Members and DOE personnel, the 53-page plan was submitted for consideration in April of 2009. As part of the designation process, a pre-interview was held on October 12th and a formal webinar interview with DOE’s National Clean Cities Designation Committee was conducted on October 19th. ACFC was pleased to have members of the Board of Directors participate in the formal presentation.

Executive Director, Mark Bentley, joined the Coalition in 2006 and quickly recognized the organization’s reach beyond the original ten counties. As such, he recommended a name change that was approved by the Board of Directors in the Fall of 2006 giving birth to the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition (ACFC). Coalition funding is generated from private and public sources including member dues, CMAQ grants and an administrative portion of grants received. Through tireless and creative efforts, ACFC has leveraged grant monies at a near 3:1 level for maximum alternative fuel infrastructure benefits. The ACFC’s efforts are best illustrated by its partnership with the City of Hoover. From the seed of an ACFC ethanol infrastructure grant, Hoover blossomed to boast the nation’s largest E85 ethanol fueled police fleet. Today, the City utilizes alternative fuels in 87% of its vehicles ranging from E85, B20 biodiesel, and B100 biodiesel, the latter produced onsite out of waste vegetable oil collected from local restaurants and homeowners. Currently, ACFC consists of 27 members bolstered by the participation of 74 stakeholders representing the full market spectrum. Members and stakeholders include local and state government entities, public and private fleets, mass transit organizations, utilities, trade associations, as well as alternative fuel producers, distributors, vehicle manufacturers, equipment suppliers, and engine converters, along with colleges, universities, individuals, and many, many more. Furthermore, Coalition members include representatives from each major alternative fuel including electricity, biodiesel, ethanol, electricity, natural gas and propane.

On October 20th, ACFC received the official letter of approval from Dennis Smith, National Clean Cities Director at DOE, accepting the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalitions as a designated Clean Cities Coalition. Designation formalizes the ACFC’s many activities and accomplishments, adds significant credibility to the Coalition, expands opportunities for developing creative projects, and provides broader access to networks and educational resources of the Clean Cities program. The approval also stands as a testament to the dedication and continuing efforts of ACFC stakeholders and members. Most importantly, the official designation helps ACFC continue the original 1999 mission to reduce Alabama’s, and our Nation’s dependence on foreign oil, increase economic development, and improve air quality in the beautiful State of Alabama. “We are proud to be a designated Clean Cities coalition!” said Mark Bentley, Executive Director of ACFC. To learn more about Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, please visit http://www.alabamacleanfuels.org/.

Personnel changes fragmented early efforts to become

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CAROLINA BLUE SKIES AND GREEN JOBS INITIATIVE AWARDED $12.9 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING FROM US DOE kathy boyer central north carolina

po box 12276, research triangle park nc 27709 kboyer@tjcog.org - 919-558-9400 trianglecleancities.org

The Triangle J Council of Governments (TJCOG) has been awarded $12.9 million in federal grant funding to support clean vehicles, fuels and infrastructure development. The Carolina Blue Skies and Green Jobs Initiative will provide support for alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure projects by collaborating with five alternative fuel partners in the Carolinas: Triangle Clean Cities Coalition (TCCC), Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition (CFCC), Land-Of-Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition (LOS-CVC), North Carolina Solar Center, and Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition (PSCFC). The initiative is also supported by the NC and SC State Energy Offices, the NC Biofuels Center, the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control. Carolina Blue Skies will include vehicles and fueling infrastructure for electric, hybrid-electric, compressed natural gas, propane, E85, and biodiesel fuels and technologies. Triangle Clean Cities estimates that this Initiative will displace over 750,000 gallons of petroleum annually while creating and preserving over 300 jobs and jumpstarting local economies in both states. Up to forty-two (42) project partners across both states will receive grant funding to purchase advanced technology vehicles and install alternative fueling infrastructure. “This is a great step in our pursuit to decrease dependence on foreign oil and improve air quality,” said Kathy Boyer, coordinator of the Triangle Clean Cities Coalition. Since its inception in 1993, Clean Cities and its stakeholders have displaced more than two billion gallons of petroleum nationwide. The program utilizes government-industry partnerships on a local level that work to reduce America’s petroleum consumption in the transportation sector. The Carolina Blue Skies and Green Jobs Initiative will expedite this success while setting the stage for economic development by utilizing partnerships in both states. “The ability to not only match, but almost double the award DOE has allocated in this grant through stakeholder cost-share, illustrates the strong desire

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for alternative fuels, infrastructure, and transportation technologies here in the Carolinas,” said Sean Flaherty, energy and environment planner at TJCOG. With the expanded availability of alternative fuel infrastructure, the Carolina Blue Skies and Green Jobs Initiative will be able to sustain itself far beyond the timeline set for this award. The start-up costs for vehicles and infrastructure installation is one of the primary barriers to alternative fuel use. These grant funds have been able to leverage over a 62 percent cost share for vehicles and infrastructure, and will enabled vendors to contract with retailers and fleet managers to install infrastructure to fuel a large number of existing alternative fuel vehicles while putting even more alternatively fueled vehicles on the road.


CLEAN CITIES CONNECTIONS “Our Project Partners... Your Project Partners”

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The natural resource for ethanol information.

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Here’s how. Metro Lawn: 1. has local suppliers. 2. provides special tanks which help (a) control your cost and (b) lower your maintenance costs. 3. will provide fuel YOUR way. 4. provides technical support for; propane safety training, fuel system support and support on conversion.

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Renewable and clean, Biodiesel is one of the

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Want to reach people interested in alternative fuels? Advertise in the...

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Find out more at www.biodiesel.org Propane is the number one alternative engine fuel in the world. Find out why at propane.com.

Contact David Hanks for more information - 615-616-1288, or david.hanks@terex.com

(Oh yeah, and by the way... you’ll be supporting the southeastern Clean Cities coalitions along the way.)

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HYBRID FOCUS

A Simple Plug-in Solution - Terex® HyPower™ Contributed by David Hanks of Terex Terex Corporation is a major US-based manufacturer of heavy equipment with more than 50 diverse brands covering a variety of industries. At Terex, the mission is to improve the lives of people around the world. One of the ways that Terex is pursuing this mission is by producing the new HyPower™, Plug In Electric Hybrid. The HyPower™ is a new product in the Terex Utilities Products Division which has been creating innovative products since 1945. This is a simple, retrofit-able solution that can be applied to more 100,000 vehicles in the utility industry alone. Customers in the United States and Canada have already taken delivery of new HyPower™ units. What is the HyPower™? A traditional heavy-duty hybrid vehicle that focuses on the movement of the vehicle. The HyPower™ concentrates on the job that our customers actually want done – lifting people into the air. A normal utility-type service vehicle uses the diesel engine to power the hydraulics of the unit so the operator can do their work. This is called parasitic or PTO (power take-off) power. Many of these types of vehicles spend 6 hours per day sitting in a single location, operating the engine for PTO power. The HyPower™ is a simple yet sophisticated device that uses a battery-powered electrical system instead of the diesel-powered PTO system. The engine of the vehicle is used only for emergency recharging during long-term boom operation. The unit also provides power for other systems on the vehicle such as air conditioning, heating, lighting and exportable power, the latter of which can be up to 3.8 kW in electrical load or capacity. The unique HyPower™ system can be installed as a part of a new vehicle build or can be installed on an existing chassis as a retrofit, and can be installed at more than a dozen locations across the United States. In the southeastern U.S., installation locations include White House, TN; Birmingham, AL; Charlotte, NC; and Glen Allen, VA. The White House and Birmingham locations have been a part of their communities for more than 20 years. The Tennessee location offers a wide range of services from Parts Distribution, Rental, Service and Used vehicle sales. Plans are in place to export and install the HyPower™ worldwide. Because the system uses the standard PTO connection on the chassis it is simple to install, easy to service and does not reduce towing capacity. The

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system can be mounted on a wide variety of chassis types. The HyPower™ electrical/battery system is recharged at the end of the day at its home location rather than recharging the batteries from the diesel engine as a traditional hybrid does. The unit can be recharged nightly using off-peak energy from the power grid by simply plugging into a standard, level 1, 120 volt electrical outlet. Overnight charging produces 6 to 8 hours of operating time. Our standard unit can save at least 1,500 gallons of diesel fuel per year and as a result reduce emissions by 13 metric tons of CO2 every year of operation (based on 6 hours of operation and a 250-day work year). Imagine if devices like the HyPower™ become a cost-effective standard for PTO operations? Within the industry alone, 1.3 million metric tons of CO2 could be reduced yearly. There are hundreds of other applications for similar devices in other PTO-powered devices with the potential for even greater savings. Learn more about the Terex HyPower system by contacting Hanks at david.hanks@terex.com or 615-616-1288.


FLORIDA HOSTS EPACT WORKSHOP larry allen florida - gold coast

3440 hollywood boulevard, suite 140, hollywood fl 33021 lallen@sfrpc.com - 954-985-4416 sfrpc.com/fgcccc.htm

The Florida Gold Coast Clean Cities Coalition, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the South Florida Regional Planning Council (Council), hosted a regional, alternative/clean fuels technical assistance workshop. This workshop is one in a series of “EPAct Workshops” sponsored by the Department of Energy to provide state, federal, alternative fuel provider and Clean Cities Program stakeholders with technical, regulatory, and networking support for overcoming barriers to the increased use of alternative fuel vehicles and fuels. The U.S. Department of Energy, through the EPAct Workshops, seeks to facilitate and enhance collaboration between representative state, federal and alternative fuel provider fleets, Clean Cities officials and stakeholders, and fuel marketers and distributors. The workshops give attendees the tools, information, and access to new partners that help them achieve compliance and expand the use of Alternative Fuel Vehicles and alternative fuels in their respective regions. “We are very pleased to partner with the U.S. Department of Energy and National Renewable Energy Laboratory and have co-hosted this workshop in South Florida. The information, strategies, and contacts that these experts bring to the Gold Coast Clean Cities Coalition and its partners will enhance our efforts in South Florida,” said Patricia Asseff, chair of Gold Coast Clean Cities Coalition and Council board member. “Our first three EPAct Workshops, which the Hampton Roads Clean Cities, Denver Metro Clean Cities, Dallas/Fort Clean Cities, and the Central Texas Clean Cities Coalitions hosted, were huge successes, with over 180 attendees to date,” stated Ted Sears, Senior Project Leader, Sustainable Fuels & Vehicles Group at NREL. “Fleets from these regions are now finalizing plans to implement shared alternative fuel infrastructure locations in their regions.”

stakeholders on the path to the development of fueling partners and projects,” Kellie Walsh, NREL Tiger Team Consultant, stated. “The host Clean Cities Coalitions, as alternative fuel deployment experts for U. S. DOE, will stay in contact with attendees after the event to assist with project implementation, ensuring that the plans and ideas developed during the event don’t stop when the day ends.” The U.S. Department of Energy sponsored these regional workshops with resources provided by their State and Fuel Provider Fleets Program. The three DOE EPAct transportation–related programs (State and Fuel Provider Fleets, Federal Fleets, and Clean Cities), work to reduce the use of petroleum in the transportation sector by enhancing and increasing the deployment of Alternative Fuel Vehicles and fuels. The locations selected for the EPAct Workshops were identified as regions where there is sufficient aggregate demand for alternative fuels to achieve the broader goals of supporting fuel providers’ decisions to invest in alternative fuel infrastructure and ensuring that existing and new infrastructure is used to its fullest potential. Other Events on the Horizon There are several other upcoming events in the Florida Gold Clean Cities areas including: • The Florida Gold Coast Clean Cities Coalition will be sponsoring the viewing of the film The Gas Hole. The Documentary will be shown and entered into competition at the Florida Film Festival on November 8, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. • The Florida Gold Coast Clean Cities Coalition will be cosponsoring the living green festival which will be held at Dania Beach’s John Lloyd State Park on November 14, and 15, 2009. Living Green, http://www.livinggreenfair.com/ • On November 17, 2009, the Florida Gold Coast Clean Cities Coalition will be co-hosted “The Compelling Case for Natural Gas” 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The momentum of these events continues to grow and word is spreading quickly among Clean Cities Coalitions as to how effective these events are in setting mandated fleets and Clean Cities Coalition

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CLEAN CITIES ‘QUESTION OF THE MONTH’ stacy noblet ICF International

9300 lee highway, fairfax, va 22031 snoblet@icfi.com - 703-934-3309 www.icfi.com

Question of the Month: How does the advancement of alternative fuels and advanced vehicles contribute to the economy and the creation of “green” jobs? Answer: One of the key goals of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 is to preserve or create more than 3.5 million jobs over the next two years. This goal is to be accomplished largely by reviving the renewable energy industry and by the formation of new “green” jobs. Though it is still too early to see the full effects of ARRA on the economy, the potential for alternative fuels and advanced vehicles to contribute to economic growth is great. The increase in jobs in the alternative fuels and advanced vehicles industry are the result of research and development efforts, feedstock generation, renewable fuel production and distribution, vehicle conversions and maintenance, and fueling infrastructure development.

workforce and expanding its facilities over the coming months as a result of large contracts with AT&T, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and other organizations. Meeting the current national Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) will dramatically increase the number of jobs in the biofuels industry. A study prepared for RFA found that producing 35 billion gallons of ethanol (including cellulosic ethanol) annually by 2022 would result in the creation over 1.1 million new jobs between 2009 and 2022. Similarly, a report by Bio Economic Research Associates that looks at the role that advanced biofuels (e.g., cellulosic ethanol) can play in achieving the RFS, estimates that direct job creation from advanced biofuels production could reach 29,000 by 2012, 94,000 by 2016, and 190,000 by 2022.

Regulatory changes currently under consideration could increase the economic impact of clean energy. A study by Growth Energy, an ethanol industry association, found that increasing the ethanol content The effect of the alternative fuel and advanced vehicle that is blended in conventional gasoline to 15% would industry on the economy is considerable and growing. require an additional 6 billion gallons of ethanol A study prepared for the Renewable Fuels Association production per year, or 60 additional 100 million (RFA) notes that economic activity resulting from gallon corn ethanol plants, and would result in direct production, construction of new capacity, and research economic impacts of $13.2 billion and employment of and development in the ethanol industry supported 12,000 workers. Similarly, the Environmental Defense more than 494,000 jobs in 2008. Similarly, the Fund has touted the positive economic impacts of a National Biodiesel Board (NBB) projected that the proposed carbon cap-and-trade program. biodiesel industry would add $24 billion to the U.S. economy between 2005 and 2015. Furthermore, a Jobs in the alternative fuels and advanced vehicles Pew Charitable Trust study found that over 80% of field are available now. There is a dramatic need for clean technology patents registered (an important skilled workers to solidify U.S. leadership in energy indicator of economic investment) in the past 10 years efficiency and renewable energy. The DOE’s Office have been in the areas of batteries, hybrid systems, of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has and fuel cells. posted information on a number of career and job listing resources. The ARRA Web site, Recovery. Even before the enactment of ARRA, “green” jobs gov, is also a great resource for information about job were on the rise. According to the Pew Charitable opportunities that have resulted from ARRA funding. Trust, jobs in the environmentally friendly production industry, which includes biofuel and hybrid electric Resources for Additional Information about the Clean vehicle production, increased by 67% from 1998 to Energy Economy and “Green” Jobs 2007. Below we have listed the resources that were used Alternative fuel and advanced vehicle companies are to compile the information above, as well as some continuing to grow in the face of economic downturn. additional publications and tools that relate to the For instance, BAF Technologies, an alternative fuel vehicle conversion company, is nearly doubling its Job creation and other positive economic impacts are demonstrated in the following ways:

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CLEAN CITIES ‘QUESTION OF THE MONTH’, CON’T stacy noblet ICF International

9300 lee highway, fairfax, va 22031 snoblet@icfi.com - 703-934-3309 www.icfi.com

clean energy economy and “green” job creation.

production would affect the economy.

Recovery.gov http://www.recovery.gov/ This Web site outlines the details of the Act itself, the financial and job opportunities associated with the stimulus funding, and the estimated impact of these investments across the U.S. The site also posts a listing of the funding announcements as they are released.

Biodiesel’s Contribution to the U.S Economy National Biodiesel Board, 2006 http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/ EconomicImpactLECG2006.pdf This fact sheet illustrates the impact biodiesel production has had on the economy between 2005 and 2015.

Careers and Jobs in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy http://www1.eere.energy.gov/education/careers.html This Web site outlines some of the resources that can help the public understand potential career opportunities currently available in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Economic Benefits of Investing in Clean Energy Political Economy Research Institute and Center for American Progress, June 2009 http://www.peri.umass.edu/fileadmin/pdf/other_ publication_types/green_economics/economic_ benefits/economic_benefits.PDF This paper examines the broader economic implications—jobs, incomes, and economic growth— of the clean energy provisions incorporated within ARRA and the proposed American Clean Energy and Security Act. The Clean Energy Economy: Repowering Jobs, Businesses, and Investments Across America The Pew Charitable Trusts, June 2009 http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/uploadedFiles/ Clean_Economy_Report_Web.pdf This document addresses policies and investments that drive the clean energy economy and ways in which different clean energy sectors (including transportation) contribute to the economy. U.S. Economic Impact of Advanced Biofuels Production: Perspectives to 2030 Bio Economic Research Associates, February 2009 http://www.bio.org/ind/ EconomicImpactAdvancedBiofuels.pdf This study outlines the role that advanced biofuels (e.g., cellulosic ethanol) will play in achieving the Renewable Fuel Standard, and how this increase in

Ethanol Facts: Economy Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), 2009 http://www.ethanolrfa.org/resource/facts/economy/ This fact sheet describes the ethanol industry’s contributions to economy. Contribution of the Ethanol Industry to the Economy of the United States RFA, February 2009 http://www.ethanolrfa.org/objects/ documents/2187/2008_ethanol_economic_ contribution.pdf This study examines the economic impact of producing 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022. Economic Impacts of Increasing the Ethanol Blend Limit Growth Energy, March 2009 http://www.growthenergy.org/2009/ reports/03-05-09%20Jobs%20Study.pdf This study examines the economic impact of increasing the ethanol content in conventional gasoline to 15%. Mapping the Green Economy Environmental Defense Fund http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=43199 This Web site looks at the current “green” business landscape in different states across the U.S. The site also provides company case studies and profiles that can help show how “green” businesses can affect the economy.

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NGV FOCUS

NGV’s: The Times They Are a-Changin’ Contributed by Kimberly Taylor, Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute

Your old road is Rapidly agin’. Please get out of the new one If you can’t lend your hand For the times they are a-changin’. It is with 100% certainty that Bob Dylan was not writing about natural gas vehicles (NGVs) when he penned the above catchy lyrics. But the old refrain has fresh applicability today with the signs in abundance around us. There are more than 8 million NGVs worldwide. 2009 has seen record federal funding awarded to the advancement of NGVs and fueling infrastructure. The New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act (aka NAT GAS Act) which is working its way through the U.S. House of Representatives would provide a ten-year tax credit for NGV manufacturers and a $100,000 credit for fueling stations. AT&T this year commited to converting 8,000 of their vehicles to run on natural gas and trucking fleet operator J.B. Hunt was recently awarded funding for 262 trucks to run on natural gas. Ready or not, the times are indeed changing. Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute’s (AFVi) 2009 survey of fleet managers found that the biggest need among them is informational tools that provide a roadmap for making informed decisions about choosing new fuels and vehicles that are right for them. Toward that end, AFVi is launching a series of publications called “The Decision Starts Here” with the first focusing on natural gas. From the basics to the technical, the 30page publication addresses what natural gas is, why it works as a transportation fuel, available funding and incentives including forms and instructions, how it works in vehicles, an overview of vehicles available for purchase, how fueling works including the components of stations, safety, and making the decision that’s right for you.

Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Station Design and Construction, Fueling Station Operation and Maintenance, CNG Fuel System Inspection and NGV Driver and Mechanic Safety Training. Robert Brown with Craig-Hallum Capital Group was interviewed about natural gas market trends by The Wall Street Transcript. The energy investment analyst opined, “You’re starting to see the large fleet operators move from a test mode of one or two vehicles to either full- or large-scale implementations. AT&T was certainly the biggest announcement in 2009. They’re converting a large portion of their fleets to run on natural gas due to the economic payback, emission reduction benefits and reduction in foreign oil use... I think it really applies to lots of fleets, and many fleets including Wal-Mart are testing it. I know Target has got some contracts with trucking companies that use green vehicles. I would imagine there are several other large national fleets that would adopt this as well.” Whether you represent a national goods movement fleet or a municipality looking at refuse or transit needs, the writing is on the wall and natural gas is scribbled all over it. Just because the old road is rapidly agin’ doesn’t mean you have to get out of the way. For $29.95 (or special pricing on bulk orders) Natural Gas Vehicles: The Decision Starts Here provides you with the information you need to decide if natural gas is right for you. If it is, you’ve made a small investment for what can become a big payback. If not, stay tuned for news on the release of the next book in the series, Electric Vehicles: The Decision Starts Here. Also, don’t forget the biggest, all-encompassing alt fuels conference there is: the Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference + Expo! May 9-12, 2010 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The sooner you register the more you will save! http://www.afv2010.com

The primary author of Natural Gas Vehicles: The Decision Starts Here is Leo Thomason whose natural gas expertise spans more than 25 years. He is the lead instructor for all AFVi training courses, including AFV Driver and Mechanic Safety Training,

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SUMMER FIX 2009 |

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PROPANE TAKES OFF IN VIRGINIA chelsea jenkins virginia

1059 angler lane, virginia beach, va 23451 cjenkins@hrccc.org - 757-256-8528 www.hrccc.org

Virginia Receives $8.6 Million for Southeast Propane Corridor Development Program The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) in cooperation with Virginia Clean Cities and James Madison University are among one the twenty-five award recipients announced at DOE Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on August 26, 2009 by Secretary Steven Chu. DMME and Virginia Clean Cities will receive $8.6 million in federal funding to assist with the conversion of over 1,000 active fleet vehicles to propane AutoGas in 9 southeastern states, and the installation of over 17 propane AutoGas fueling stations along high-impact roadways from Washington, D.C. to Florida to Mississippi in the development of the nation’s first propane AutoGas Corridor. In addition to establishing a solid base of alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure across the Southeast, the project will displace almost 16 million gallons of gasoline, eliminate well over 16,000 tons of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, and create and/or retain roughly 600 jobs over the four-year project period. “This project, along with the others in which my colleagues were involved in developing, will help culture an environment where alternatives to traditional fossil fueled vehicles are mainstream,” said Chelsea Jenkins, Executive Director of Virginia Clean Cities. “I’m elated and humbled that I have the opportunity to participate in such a historic project for Virginia and the southeast along with some of the most outstanding partners I’ve ever worked with.” The major participants include Clean Cities Coalitions in the 9 southeastern states, as well as Blossman Gas, American Alternative Fuel, Baker Equipment, MSM Communications, and the Propane Education and Research Council. This program also includes an aggressive, strategic marketing and communications campaign aimed at encouraging more vehicle operators to switch to propane AutoGas while enhancing and encouraging a national audience to consider AutoGas as a clean alternative fuel that is immediately viable. Safety and technical training, and education and outreach initiatives will also complete the comprehensive project package. Propane School Buses Piloted First in VA by Gloucester County The first propane school bus fleet in Virginia was unveiled on October 26th in Gloucester County during a ceremony celebrated by Congressman Robert Wittman, Delegate Harvey Morgan and the Department of Environmental Quality.

“Using propane-powered school buses is a step in the right direction to significantly decrease vehicle emissions and improve the air quality for our students,” said Roger Kelly, director of Transportation for Gloucester County Public Schools. “We are excited to be involved in this clean school bus initiative.” Congressman Robert Wittman, Delegate Harvey Morgan and Gloucester County Public Schools representatives spoke at the ceremony and described the economic, public safety and environmental benefits of the new bus fleet including: • Gloucester County Public estimates they will save $1.50/ gallon in fuel costs and more in maintenance costs due to the cleaner engine and prolonged oil change intervals. • Propane buses produce approximately 18 percent less greenhouse gases than conventional diesel and gasoline vehicles. • Propane tanks have the lowest flammability range of all alternative fuels, making propane an exceptionally safe fuel. • Most of the propane consumed in the United States is produced domestically, so using propane vehicles instead of conventionally fueled vehicles reduces the country’s dependence on foreign oil which increases energy security. “We are pleased and impressed with the forward thinking and actions of the Gloucester County School Board and administration,” said Chelsea Jenkins, director of Virginia Clean Cities. “The propane school buses are providing opportunities for students and the community to observe and learn first-hand about alternative transportation technologies.” “Because of DEQ’s leadership, five Gloucester County school buses will be powered by propane which produce even less pollution than gasoline or diesel engines,” said William C. Early, acting regional administrator, EPA mid-Atlantic region. “We commend the Commonwealth and Virginia Clean Cities in undertaking another innovative project to reduce air pollution.” The Virginia Clean Diesel Program is supported by the EPA and administered by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management Association (MARAMA). Virginia Clean Cities worked with Gloucester County Public Schools for more than a year to develop the project, and was contracted by MARAMA to assist with project management. A $221,355 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act EPA National Clean Diesel Program funded half of the project and Gloucester County Public Schools funded the remaining amount. To learn more about this project and more, visit www. hrccc.org.

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FLORIDANATURAL FOCUS GAS REVIVAL FLORIDA’S Florida’s Natural Gas Revival Contributed by Jeff Greene, Wise Gas

Florida is no stranger to Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs). Many municipalities converted fleets to compressed natural gas (CNG) in the 80s and 90’s. But when Ford and GM discontinued producing CNG vehicles and MotorFuelers (the only Florida-based providers of equipment and services) went out of business in 2004, the natural gas vehicle industry in Florida collapsed. Fast forward to $4.11 gasoline and $4.50 diesel fuel in 2008... Wise Gas, Inc was formed to give consumers better motor fuel choices by reviving the CNG vehicle industry in Florida and creating competition. Over the last year Wise Gas has refurbished compressors, worked with the EPA to bring more vehicle choices to market, educated community leaders and policymakers, and worked with manufacturers to make product and replacement parts available to customers. Wise Gas, along with strategic marketing partner TECO Energy Partners, has successfully revived three municipal CNG programs: Broward County, North Miami Beach and Hollywood. Broward County has the largest natural gas infrastructure with three “fast fill” station and a parking garage with “slow fill” stations. North Miami and Hollywood each have a fast fill station. All three of these municipalities have had a difficult time the last few years purchasing CNG vehicles. The shortage of vehicles has not only hindered program growth but has, in fact, resulted in each municipality reducing the number of CNG vehicles due to aging vehicles and inability to add new OEM vehicles to their fleets. TECO has also maintained CNG fast fill stations in Naples, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and Miami to support its’ in-house fleet of Honda Civic GX dedicated NGVs. The City of Tallahassee, NASA and the City of Milton have continued their NGV programs but all have had difficulty with equipment maintenance and procurement of new replacement vehicles. Wise Gas has brought the Ford Focus, Fusion and Chevrolet Impala conversions to Florida. Space Coast Honda has continued to carry the Honda Civic GX, but sales have been sparse. On a positive note, Wise Gas has recently contracted with the City of Apopka to build their fueling infrastructure and provide EPA certification for the Ford Crown Victoria and F-150 pickup for use in their fleet. Alternative Fuel Management has also contracted with Wise Gas to build the first “Public Access” CNG fuel station in Florida. After months of delay with permitting and other site development issues, the station is scheduled to open in November. The station will be located in Ft Lauderdale. The efforts to revive the CNG industry in Florida have recently

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been recognized by the Florida Natural Gas Association. In fact, deployment of NGVs has become a focus for their 2010 market development agenda. Both Florida City Gas, an AGL subsidiary, and Florida Public Utilities, a Chesapeake Energy subsidiary, have expressed interest in promoting CNG vehicles. Clearwater Gas is the most recent Wise Gas customer, adding a Honda Civic GX and a FuelMaker Phill home refueling appliance to their NGV fleet. The bankruptcy of FuelMaker combined with the recession were major setbacks to the Wise Gas program for widespread adoption of CNG by fleet and residential customers in Florida. Wise Gas survived these setbacks with creative marketing and hard work. With the recent purchase of FuelMaker by IMPCO, the Emission Systems conversion of the Navistar DT-466 engine for school buses and the Cummins Westport ISL engine becoming the industry standard for a variety of medium-duty trucks (such as cement mixers, waste haulers and transit buses), more NGVs are now coming to market for customers to purchase. Wise Gas, in conjunction with strategic partners TECO, ESI, Foton America and Altech Eco will be launching the State of Florida CNG Bus Tour in November with stops in Jacksonville, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Naples, Tampa, Gainesville and Tallahassee. Clean Cities Coalitions in Cocoa (Space Coast) and South Florida (Gold Coast) have been working diligently to grow their membership and promote alternative fuels. Recently, newly formed coalitions have held organizational meetings in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Tampa, Naples, Gainesville and Pensacola with the goal of creating a Clean Cities network that encompasses every county in the State of Florida. The goal is to have all coalitions garner official U.S. DOE designation by 2012. In spite of the recession and the bitter lesson of unpredictable oil prices, America’s addiction to foreign oil has not been significantly reduced over the past year. But American’s attention has shifted to focus on the problem of energy security. Consumers are demanding more and better choices. We are at the beginning of an energy revolution in this country. There is no single solution to this problem, no silver bullet, but with our friends in the biodiesel, ethanol, propane, electric and renewable energy industry, Wise Gas hopes to make a difference in helping to achieve American energy independence. You can reach Jeff Greene at 954-636-4291 or jeff@wisegasinc.com. His office is in Weston, Florida.


STIMULATING ET ALT FUEL ACTIVITIES jonathan overly east tennessee

311 conference center bldg, knoxville tn 37996-4134 jgoverly@utk.edu - 865-974-3625 www.etcleanfuels.org

East TN Propane Activities The City of Kingsport became a partner with Virginia Clean Cities’ far-reaching, southeastern U.S. propane corridor ARRA project, getting funding to convert two 2007 Crown Vic’s to bi-fuel propane using the American Alternative Fuels “hybrid” system. Fleet Manager Steve Hightower already has propane infrastructure and has sheparded the city through four years of using biodiesel. They have also evaluated several technologies and alt fuel options in the past and thus are proactive about looking for opportunities. Tri-Cities Airport in Blountville, Tennessee (about 10 miles from Kingsport in Sullivan County) is getting into the propane action thanks to Glen Bowman and Gloria Brookes at the airport and Steve Whaley of Blossman Gas who showed them a dedicated conversion option for 3 tarmac vehicles - two baggers and a pusher. The airport asked if the ETCFC could find any funding assistance and we were able to reallocate some previous funding to help them, and the project is on. The plan is to try to get the vehicles converted, get the infrastructure installed and be operating by end of this year. New TSE Stop Coming to East Tennessee The ETCFC won an EPA Region 4 ARRA grant for over $580,000 to install 50 electrified spaces and 25 HVAC-supplied spaces, and the project is on its way to construction. In August, the ETCFC prepared an RFP. It was released in early September and five proposals were received by month’s end from all of the main vendors of truck stop electrification equipment that exist in the U.S. today. The review team selected the winning vendor in late October and the project should be started by November 1, and the completion date will be in spring 2010. Don Demko, the truck stop owner, doesn’t want it to end there. Says Demko, “I want this to be a model green truck stop for all of the southeast. We are already evaluating a number of options for how we can include solar-powered refueling of the trucks and how to create light-duty EV recharging, and other green options.” Crossville sits a little less than half-way between Knoxville and Nashville in Tennessee. As it relates to the huge eTec/Nissan

proposal that is bringing 1,000 Nissan Leafs to the KnoxvilleNashville-Chattanooga triangle over the next few years, refueling points in between each of those cities will be needed. Thus, the Plateau Travel Plaza in Crossville will be a good mid-point spot for Level 3 recharging (the high voltage, quick-charging option) which is estimated to take only 15-20 minutes to completely refuel a fullspeed sedan like the Nissan Leaf or the Chevy Volt. University of Tennessee Has an EV Fleet Through purchasing NEVs over the past 5 years, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville now has a fleet of them: 12. All of them are GEMs (eS’s - the 2-seater with a short flat bed) except for the newest addition, a Miles ZX40S. They are used in several departments including Transportation Services and Facilities Services. Mike Moneymaker is the director of the Transportation Services Department and had this to say. “For the right jobs, they are perfect, especially when we just want to get one of us across campus. Maintaining full-size vehicles when all you need is smallsized service just doesn’t make sense. These fit our needs while generating cost savings, and help the overall campus effort for being greener, and smarter with our fuel options.” Below - Many but not all of the LSVs that UTK uses were gathered for a photo-op. The staffers that regularly us the vehicles are shown with their vehicles. Right - Most of the vehicles are emblazoned with UTK’s “Make Orange Green” logo. This one shows that logo and the Web address where environmental information on UTK can be found: http:// environment.tennessee.edu.

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GO GREEN, DRIVE CLEAN!

amy lawrence south carolina

1201 senate street 408 wade hampton bldg columbia, sc 29201 alawrence@energy.sc.gov 803-737-8032 palmettocleanfuels.org

On September 1, the Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition (PSCFC) had its first “Go Green, Drive Clean!” ride-and-drive event in conjunction with the Green is Good for Business Conference. The Green is Good for Business conference is an annual statewide event held in Columbia, which focuses on businesses wishing to ‘go green.’ The conference is hosted by the City of Columbia’s Climate Protection Action Campaign and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The PSCFC played a vital role in organizing and marketing the conference, hosting the Ride and Drive portion, as well as sponsoring a display in the exhibit hall. Overall, the conference had about 325 attendees, in addition to exposure on local media outlets. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham was in attendance at the event, gave a brief speech and allowed for a photo opportunity for PSCFC staff. Go Green, Drive Clean! gave approximately 100 rides/drives in the program vehicles, as well as tours on the City of Columbia’s Proterra Hybrid Hydrogen Bus. Event vehicles included a • Ford Focus CNG Bifuel, • Honda Civic GX, • Chevy Avalanche FFV, • Toyota Prius PHEV, • Roushe Ford F150 LPG, and • Envrioguard Propane Lawnmowers (2). By and large, the conference and ride and drive were a huge success. This represented record numbers for the conference, as well as numbers for any of PSCFC ride-and-drive events. Vehicle vendors and conference planners were very excited about the event’s success. So much so, PSCFC has been invited to participate again next year!

THE MATRIX - PUBLIC ALT FUELS STATIONS IN THE SOUTHEAST State

\

Fuel

B20

B-other1

CNG

E85

H2

LNG

LPG

Alabama

33

7

3

14

0

0

159

216

Florida

15

0

17

20

2

0

49

103

Georgia

28

1

19

32

0

0

39

119

Kentucky

0

6

0

8

0

0

16

30

Mississippi

5

0

1

0

0

36

42

North Carolina

24

9

11

0

0

50

102

2

2

0 3

17

3

Total

South Carolina

9

28

1

68

2

0

27

135

Tennessee

33

6

0

24

0

0

53

116

Virginia

21

19

4

3

1

0

21

69

Totals

168

84

53

182

5

0

450

933

NOTES FOR THE SUMMER ‘09 MATRIX: This is a listing of public stations only! It is our best effort to quarterly aggregate accurate information on public alt fuel stations in our states. Changes from quarter to quarter are noted in parentheses. The data was compiled using information directly from Clean Cities coordinators and their working partners in each state, and the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) Website at www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/. The partners who helped us with some of the numbers include: GA - Jennifer Wilson, Georgia Energy Innovations Center; TN - Linda Tidwell, Tennessee Department of Transportation. In some cases, the number provided is just the AFDC number because we do not have any more accurate information. 1. “B-other” is public stations for any blend other than B20, and that includes lower and higher blends. 2. Uncertain of split between B20 and B-other in Alabama. This is a best guesstimate. 3. NC has three stations that sell B20 and at least one other blend; they are counted in both columns.

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IT’S A BUS, IT’S A PLANE, IT’S A BARGE, IT’S A ...

…means of moving cargo more cost effectively without producing additional emissions. Alternative fuel and advanced technology work we Clean Cities Coordinators undertake everyday has expanded its reach across Kentucky. Demand side sustainability for energy and fuels is the focus of the Commonwealth Clean Cities Partnership housed within the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition. Members are not simply asking for help, they are providing insight and real world experience into cutting edge technologies. The KCFC partnered with the Kentucky Department of Education to request funding assistance for Hybrid Electric School Buses to be placed around the state. Awarding of this project will provide real world data on a large-scale that can be easily replicated. Moving our most precious cargo in these buses will provide participant observation.

melissa howell kentucky

po box 5174 lexington ky 40255 kycleanfuels@insightbb.com 502-452-9152 www.kentuckycleanfuels.org

Gate electrification, re-powering of ground-side engines, placement of biodiesel storage and distribution equipment at the UPS Worldport hub in Louisville, all provide the KCFC with direct partnership learning tools. As UPS hosted the KCFC Fall meeting in October, an engineer from Wright Patterson Air Force Base was on hand to educate the group about Fischer-Tropschs technology and pending ASTM approval! Ingram Barge, based in Nashville, will provide a marvelous opportunity for the KCFC and others to assist with demands by the largest water freight carrier in the United States. Mercer Trucking and the Kentucky Motor Transport Association partnership will enable the KCFC to collaborate directly with owner-operators to meet unique needs of operations for long haul trucking. Connecting the dots for Yum! Brands to reinvest their resources has raised the visibility of our program tremendously. As we pair the KFC, Taco Bell, Long John Silvers, A&W, Pizza Hut folks with our members moving freight, benefits are there for all. Commonwealth Clean Cities Partnership founders knew partners would be the key to maintaining a viable program, back in 1994. Now more than ever, the recognition, education and management of partners’ needs—primarily in the movement of cargo—is essential to all consumers. We coordinators must collaborate with EPA, DOE, USDA, FHWA, FAA or any combination of these government agencies to offer our private and public sector partners the very best means of moving cargo across town or across the country.

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SE SMART FUEL EVENTS 2009 11/2-6: Clean Cities Leadership Retreat (Open to Clean Cities Coordinators Only) 11/9-10: Algae Products and Markets Summit, Orlando, FL 11/12: East TN Clean Fuels Monthly Coalition Meeting, Knoxville (jgoverly@utk. edu) 11/13: East TN Clean Fuels Bi-Monthly Meeting, Chattanooga (jgoverly@utk.edu) 11/13: Hydrogen 101 Seminar and Go Green Community Challenge Workshop, Richmond, VA (cjenkins@hrccc.org) 11/16-19: 4th Annual Cellulosic Biofuels Summit, Washington, DC 11/17-18: 6th Annual Alabama Renewable Energy Conference, Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center (mark@alabamacleanfuels.org) 12/3: Hydrogen 101 Seminar, Washington DC (cjenkins@hrccc.org) 12/4: East TN Clean Fuels Bi-Monthly Coalition Meeting, Johnson City (jgoverly@ utk.edu) 12/11: South Florida Gold Coast Monthly Meeting, Hollywood 12/11: East TN Local Gov. Fleet Managers Meeting, Knoxville (jgoverly@utk.edu) Clean Cities Coalitions CNG and Idle Reduction Technologies National Road Show 12/11: Atlanta Clean Cities Coalition Mtg, Atlanta, Georgia (dfrancis@bellsouth.net) 12/14: Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition Mtg, Columbia, SC (alawrence@energy. sc.gov) 12/21: Land of Sky Regional Council Meeting, Asheville, NC (bill@landofsky.com) 2010 1/26-28: Electric Drive Transportation Association Conference and Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (http://electricdrive.org/) 3/1-4: Energy Independence Days, Washington, DC 5/9-12: Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference and Expo (http://www. afv2010.com/) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WEBINARS Clean Cities Webinars - Webinar information is provided via e-mail. To subscribe to this e-mail list or submit ideas for future Webinars, contact Sandra Loi. 12/ 10 or 12/17 (tentaive dates): Clean Cities Survey - Nick Muerdter, from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, will be demonstrating the new and improved Clean Cities survey and training coordinators how to use this important reporting tool. Third Thursday Propane Webinars - Sign up at http://www.thirdthursday.net/.

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EV FOCUS Central Florida Get Ready Initiative Contributed by Bill Young, Space Coast Clean Cities Coalition

Florida has great flat terrain for electric vehicles and mild winters that require little heating, and the summers are like an oven. So in the year 1974, the City of Seabring built the first modern electric vehicle factory which produced over 1500 Citicars and 500 EV postal vans. Since that day, Floridians have been in love with EV’s. In 1990, the Florida Institute of Technology built a university solar car and participated in the first DOE Sunrayce event. Also in 1990, the Florida Solar Energy Center built the first solar charging station for their Citicar. By 1993, there were 7 electric vehicle conversion companies including Solar Car Corp that built over 150 EVs of which 15 were solar-assisted. Broward County teamed with Florida Power and Light and joined the Electric Vehicle Association of Americas to participate in an EV Ready Community program.

their production goals. With a 100 mile range, the Leaf can travel throughout the initial area of four counties centered around Orlando. Vacationers flying into Orlando International Airport have the option to drive an EV to the beach or any of the theme parks. The plan currently provides for important partnership opportunities with the large Florida tourist industry and space program, as well as other high technology industries. Before the end of the year, Get Ready Central Florida should become an official RMI partner and begin working towards deploying EVs and implementing charging stations.

Now, the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) has started a new initiative with the latest insurgence of EV enthusiasm. RMI’s Project Get Ready is a non-profit initiative to create a dynamic menu of strategic plugin readiness actions for EV’s. The program provides information and a forum for city and regional leaders to exchange ideas and best practices to implement plug-in strategies for EV infrastructure to promote EV market acceptance. Timing could not be better for the Space Coast Clean Cities Coalition (SC3) as the mayor of Orange County and the City of Orlando race to be the Greenest communities in Florida. At the lead, John Parker, Chairman of SC3 organized a group that started the process to join RMI’s new Project Get Ready. The groups mission statement was created and the charter is now being developed to establish a partnership with RMI. For now, the four counties of Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Brevard comprise the area within the Coalition. The local utilities, OUC and Progress Energy, are installing charging stations of various types, such as the OUC photovoltaic powered Nova charger in the pictures to the right.

Top: New OUC EV charging stations on OUC parking garage. Left: Jennifer Szaro with OUC plugging in their plug-in HEV.

Additionally, partnerships with EV manufactures are being developed. As currently planned, Nissan will be the first vehicle provider of 300 Leaf EVs in the FL Project Get Ready area in order to help meet

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FUNDING FOR WASTE TO BIODIESEL PROJECT ANNOUNCED jason wager & sarah niess greater charlotte area

po box 35008, charlotte nc 28235 cleanfuels@centralina.org - 704-372-2416 www.4cleanfuels.com

On August 7, 2009 North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue recognized Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition and its partners, Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities, UNC Charlotte and Central Piedmont Community College, for receiving an $85,000 grant award from the NC Green Business Fund for the development of a feasibility and economic study of using municipal waste to create biodiesel. The group was one of 14 grant recipients, which received a total of $950,000 in funding.

a processing facility for their brown grease waste. UNC Charlotte will be researching the chemical make up and the amount of brown grease that could be generated in a processing facility. Central Piedmont Community College will perform a life-cycle analysis to assess the environmental and economic impacts of such a processing facility. Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition will administer the grants and also coordinate regional meetings to help disseminate information from the projects. The grant awards are a culmination of a multi-year collaboration between the partners. This project is an important first step in learning how For more information about our Centralina Clean and to what extent Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities Fuels Coalition contact cleanfuels@centralina.org or and its partners can transform brown grease, currently visit www.4cleanfuels.com. a waste product, into biodiesel. The project also involves studying crop production for seed oils and providing research and green workforce development opportunities with Central Piedmont Community College and UNC Charlotte. In March, the same group received a $99,850 grant from the Biofuels Center of North Carolina for a complimentary project. Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition is the lead applicant on both grants. While technology for converting virgin seed oils and yellow grease into biodiesel is well proven, much less study has been done on brown grease processing. Brown grease currently removed from restaurant grease traps, for example, often is taken to landfills because it is mixed with wastewater. Grease poured down drains is the leading cause of sanitary sewer overflows in Charlotte’s 4,000-mile wastewater collection system. The combined projects will help to develop a blueprint for other municipalities interested in investigating

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Jason Wager (pictured far left in front row) attended the NC Green Business Fund award announcement ceremony. Gov. Bev Perdue (pictured center) made the announcements on August 7, 2009.


BIODIESEL EYED ALONG CORRIDOR V mark bentley alabama

2131 data office dr, suite 240, birmingham al 35244 mark@alabamacleanfuels.org - 205-402-2755 alabamacleanfuels.org

Corridor V, the Appalachian Development Highway for taking motorists from outside of Memphis to Chattanooga through Huntsville, Madison, and North Alabama, is being targeted for increasing infrastructure and utilization of biodiesel. The Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition (ACFC), through funding from the Soybean Check Off program, developed a series of informative workshops aimed to provide information on the alternative fuel to local leaders, fleet operators, and fuel station owners and operators, along with the general public. The workshops provided an overview of biodiesel, confronted some common myths about the fuel, and addressed fuel quality. Other presentations covered “real world” fleet experiences, sources of B20 biodiesel, and the grants and incentives available for the biofuel. “Development along Corridor V provides an opportunity for investments in transportation programs and fueling stations along the route,” said Mark Bentley, Executive Director of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalitions. “It is critical that potential investors, fleet operators, and local communities understand that integrating alternative fuels such as biodiesel into their infrastructure from the beginning stages requires less cost and offers potentially greater rewards. In addition, biodiesel can be integrated into existing operations with relative ease.” Biodiesel has seen a spike in consumption over the past several years in the midst of high-priced oil markets. The recent cost similarities coupled with major improvements in biodiesel quality have made the fuel competitive with traditional diesel. Adding in other significant benefits over standard diesel fuel, such as bolstering local economies, increasing energy independence, and a cleaner environment, along with recent increases in quality have made the fuel quite an attractive alternative. “The need for energy independence grows with each day, and Alabama farmers can play a fundamental role in our movement from foreign oil. From day one, I have worked with our agricultural community to ensure that our farmers can continue to contribute to the economic development and greening of our state and our region,” Congressman Parker Griffith (AL-5) said in a released statement.

and 80% petroleum-based diesel. “Using soybean oil to produce soy biodiesel provides another valuable market for soybean farmers in Alabama. Soy biodiesel is not only good for the environment, it also cleans, lubricates and can extend the life of your diesel engine,” said Steve Guy with ALFA Farmers Federation. Recently, Alabama farmers yielded only around 200,000 acres of soybeans annually, dramatically lower than the 2.5 million acres a year produced in years past. Thus, an increased use of soy biodiesel could potentially boost local farm incomes, which has been reflected in an 84% increase in soy plantings among Alabama farmers, according to statistics released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2008. To help promote the workshops, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs released a statement stating that, “ADECA fully supports the informative biodiesel workshops being conducted by the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition. The ADECA Energy Division is pleased to partner with ACFC to provide incentives for public school use and retail availability of B20 biodiesel in the state.” Studies from the Environmental Protection Agency have shown that B20 biodiesel reduces emissions of all hydrocarbon pollutants by 20% and carbon monoxide and particulate matter by 12% compared to regular diesel. More importantly, particulate matter has been identified as a trigger for asthma, which the American Lung Association identifies as the single largest chronic illness affecting children. An estimated 6.5 million children in the U.S. currently suffer from the condition. This fact, along with the other benefits of biodiesel, has led many school districts across the state to switch their buses from traditional diesel to B20. Attendees at the ACFC biodiesel workshop included public officials, business leaders, fleet operators and managers, as well as interested individuals from the general public.

The most commonly utilized biodiesel, B20, consists of 20% soy biodiesel, produced from domestically grown soybeans,

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U.S. EPA AWARDS $1.25 MILLION IN RECOVERY TO ACFC mark bentley alabama

2131 data office dr, suite 240, birmingham al 35244 mark@alabamacleanfuels.org - 205-402-2755 alabamacleanfuels.org

Adapated from EPA August 21, 2009 Press Release

power outlet for the trucks to power accessories such as air conditioning. Fifty truck spaces will be constructed per site to help achieve annual emissions reductions of 1.6 tons of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and 57 tons of nitrogen oxide, and to create or retain 70 jobs.

In addition to helping to create and retain jobs, the clean diesel projects would reduce premature deaths, asthma attacks and other respiratory ailments, lost work days, and many other health impacts every year. The Recovery Act allotted the National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC) a total of $300 million, of which the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program received $156 million to fund competitive grants (Atlanta, Ga. – August 21, 2009) In a move that stands across the nation. The Recovery Act also included $20 to create jobs, boost local economies, reduce diesel million for the National Clean Diesel Emerging Techemissions and protect human health and the environ- nology Program grants and $30 million for the Smartment for the people of Alabama, the U.S. Environmen- Way Clean Diesel Finance Program grants. tal Protection Agency has awarded $1.25 million to the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition to reduce emissions In addition, under the Act’s State Clean Diesel Grant from truck stop engine idling. This clean diesel project program, a total of $88.2 million has been provided to will create jobs while protecting Alabama’s air quality. States for clean diesel projects through a noncompetitive allocation process. “This grant is a great investment in environmental protection and will provide long-term economic benPresident Obama signed the American Recovery and efits for Alabama,” said Stan Meiburg, EPA Acting Reinvestment Act of 2009 on February 17, 2009 and Regional Administrator in Atlanta. “This funding will go has directed that the Recovery Act be implemented a very long way in helping to bolster the economy and with unprecedented transparency and accountability. protect public health and the environment by creating To that end, the American people can see how every green jobs that improve air quality.” dollar is being invested at Recovery.gov. The funds are provided under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program. Under this funding competition, EPA Region 4 alone received 98 grant applications requesting over $140 million to help fund clean diesel emissions projects. The award announced today was chosen to both maximize economic impact and emissions reductions. This project will install truck stop electrification (TSE) systems in Alabama’s Baldwin and Montgomery counties. The TSE project will address idling from multiple engine types and configuration by providing a shore

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For information on EPA’s implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in Alabama, visit: http://www.epa.gov/recovery For information about EPA’s clean diesel initiatives, visit: http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel


PIX PAGES PAGES PIX Executive Director of the Georgia Clean Fuels Coaltion, Charise Stephens, started an innovative program “Clean Cities Kids” that works to empower our bright young children and inspire them to contriibute to the difficult mission of reducing our dependince on petroleum. Ms. Stephens’ looked to her own children to help jump-start the program. Pictured below is her son Camden and daughter Kayla with Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue at the Southeast Bioenergy Conference 2009. Camden and Kayla have met him several times as they are the Clean Cities Kids Ambassadors for the Georgia Clean Fuels Coalition. Additionally, Kayla is pictured interviewing Governor Perdue for Stephens’ local TV show – Clean Cities TV.

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Gloucester County Public Schools is the first in Virginia to pilot propane school buses. A ceremony was held on Monday, October 26, 2009 to dedicate the 5 new Blue Bird Propane Vision school buses, hand over a $221,000 check that was provided via the Virginia Clean Diesel Program and will pay for half of the five school buses, and hear from elected representatives. Pictured above are School Board Chair Ann Burrus, Congressman Robert Wittman (VA-001), Delgate Harvey Morgan (19th district VA House of Delegates), Transportation Director Roger Kelly, the propane school bus drivers, Gloucester County dignitaries, and stakeholders of Virginia Clean Cities.

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PIX PAGES

On October 22, the ETCFC hosted the East Tennessee Electric Vehicle Show with partners the Knoxville Electric Vehicle Association and the City of Knoxville. Clockwise from above. David Hrivnak describes his self-converted Chevy Avalanche that is getting 20% better fuel economy. Tom Micelli of North Carolina explains what he did to create his awesome, beautiful self-converted motorcycle. Part owner Mike Whedbee shows a brand new Modern Electric Tractors Inc. riding mower. one display showcased a Wheego medium-speed (35 mph) LSV while it charged via a Coulomb Technologies ChargePoint EV charger. The ETCFC recorded approximately 20 videos asking those in the know why electric vehicles are an important step for America. The ETCFC booth was busy with folks learning about electric vehicles so they could try their hand at cornhole and win a prize. EPRI brought their “eBox,� a full-speed EV that is a converted Scion xB. Not sure who the cheesy dude is.

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