WINTER 2017 | FUELSFIX.COM
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ARKANSAS KICKSTARTS NDEW FHWA GUIDANCE ON CORRIDOR SIGNAGE EULESS USES LESS WITH IDLE REDUCTION
GLENNS FERRY’S CNG DETERMINATION - IDAHO ARIZONA COALITIONS EDUCATE LAWMAKERS ABOUT AFVS SACRAMENTO CLEAN CITIES / CALSTART / NAFA HOLD 7TH ANNUAL CLEAN TECH FORUM & EXPO
FLORIDA COALITIONS SETUP STATEWIDE FIRST RESPONDERS AFV TRAINING
National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium
AFV Day Odyssey
Planning Underway!
Who we are: Founded in 1992, the NAFTC is the only nationwide training organization dedicated to promoting, supporting, and expanding the use of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles in an effort to improve air quality and decrease U.S. dependence on foreign oil. A program of West Virginia University, the NAFTC is a membership organization consisting of National and Associate Training Centers located nationwide.
What we do:
April 20, 2017 Become a part of the nation’s largest alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle promotional event.
Odyssey 2017 Goals
The NAFTC’s mission is to educate the nation about clean, alternative transportation technologies, thus providing a vital role necessary for AFVs to become viable options in transportation. Through the development and delivery of many kinds of training, from in-depth technical training to brief informative presentations for the general public, the NAFTC has brought education and awareness of clean alternative transportation technologies to millions.
Why we make a difference:
• • • •
100 Event Sites 100,000 Attendees 200 Million Reached Through Media Outlets
Currently Recruiting • • •
Sponsors Partners Site Coordinators
Through its services of providing education and awareness about AFVs, the NAFTC strives to make a difference in lessening U.S. dependence on foreign oil, strengthening national and energy security, and providing a cleaner environment for future generations.
Over 35 Courses and Workshops! Training programs for multiple audiences including: •
Automotive Technicians
•
First Responders
•
Fleet Managers
•
Government Officials
•
Consumers
for more information, visit
naftc.wvu.edu or call (304) 293-7882
Contact
Virginia McMillen virginia.mcmillen@mail.wvu.edu Judy Moore judy.moore@mail.wvu.edu
#AFVDayOdyssey afvdayodyssey.org
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CONTENTS
Glenns Ferry’s CNG Determination | p. 12 Treasure Valley Clean Cities Coalition
7th Annual Clean Technology Forum and Expo | p. 13 Sacramento Clean Cities Coalition
Arizona Clean Cities Make an Imp on Legislature with Event | p. 9 Valley of the Sun Clean Cities Coalition
Euless Uses Less with Idle Redu Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities
3
FHWA Guidance on AFV Corridor Signage | p. 17 FHWA Office of Transportation Operations
pression Arkansas Kickstarts NDEW | p. 21 Arkansas Clean Cities Coalition
utction | p. 7
AFV Training Program Kicks Off Statewide for First Responders | p. 15 4
CONTENTS PARTNER FOCUS FHWA: Guidance for Alternative Fuel Corridor Signage
17
COVER STORY
15
Florida Coalitions Work Together to Develop Statewide AFV Training for First Responders
PUBLISHER / SENIOR EDITOR / WRITER Jonathan G. Overly East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition jonathan@etcleanfuels.org EDITOR / WRITER Melissa Goldberg East Tennesee Clean Fuels Coalition melissa@etcleanfuels.org SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS East Tennesee Clean Fuels Coalition Alec Bross - alec@etcleanfuels.org Brittany Gentry - brittany@etcleanfuels.org
Twitter: @fuelsfix
PARTNER FOCUS Texas Fire Department has found Cost Savings in a Simple Idle Reduction Technology
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Fuels Fix is published quarterly by the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition in collaboration with the creative and groovy DOE Clean Cities coalitions across the USA. Email info@etcleanfuels.org for advertising information, or see the website.
TNCleanFuels.org
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ADVERTISERS INDEX
CLEAN CITIES TV The Official Clean Cities YouTube Channel
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Beautiful scenes from across the U.S. in every edition
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Icom North America NAFTC REG RFA ROUSH CleanTech Transportation Energy Partners US Gas Vehicles
8, 22 1, 22 2 6 20, 22 22 22
On Fuels Fix website: Lightning Hybrids - NAFTC - NTEA ROUSH CleanTech - TruStar Energy XL Hybrids
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EULESS USES LESS WITH
IDLE REDUCTION
When attending the multiple weekly training sessions at their remote training facility, the City of Euless Fire Department was forced to keep their vehicles idling onsite to sustain power and temperature regulation for medicines, computers and equipment for immediate use, resulting in many avoidable costs such as wasted fuel and excessive emissions. In 2008 and 2010, two electrification poles were installed to provide wayside power for ambulances and fire trucks when parked at this remote training facility to negate the need to idle when attending training sessions. When in use, each pole allows for multiple vehicles to be plugged in at once and sustains temperature and power regulation, all while the engines remain off. With each vehicle utilizing the poles on average of 15-18 hours a week, the city estimates approximately 20,301 hours of idle reduction for the Fire Department since their initial
installation. As a relatively inexpensive technology to install, for $3,772 and $6,040 respectively, this idle reduction strategy has proven its success with the monetary benefits of reduced fuel use from idling, allowing for a quick return on investment. The City of Euless has been a long-time Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities (DFWCC) stakeholder. Due to their commitment to reducing petroleum consumption through this and other projects, the city has been recognized by DFWCC as a Silver Level Outstanding Fleet.
BAILEY MULLER | Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities | bmuller@nctcog.org | 817-695-9299 7
This page: Several ambulances are plugged into the electrification poles. Opposite page, top: the line-up of emergency response vehicles for Euless in their staging area; bottom, one of the electrification poles with its numerous plug-in receptacles.
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Background and below: Various AFVs that Valley of the Sun and Tuscon Regional Clean Cities Coalitions put on display during their event for the Arizona legislature.
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ARIZONA CLEAN CITIES COALITIONS MAKE AN IMPRESSION ON LEGISLATURE WITH EVENT, AFV LINE-UP Valley of the Sun Clean Cities Coalition and Tucson Regional Clean Cities Coalition hosted their bi-annual Legislative Breakfast and Vehicle Display in 2016. Legislators, staff and civic leaders attended hearing the latest in the means of reducing the use of petroleum to mitigate the pollution challenges Arizona faces. Key speakers included Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan, the Mayor of Tucson Jonathan Rothschild, the Director of the American Lung Association Keith Michael Fiels, and Philip McNeely, the Director of the Maricopa Air Board.
A major part of the event is the full-spectrum display of alternative fueled vehicles, which included: • UPS Natural Gas heavy duty truck, • Discount Cab Prius hybrid, • Super Shuttle propane-powered blue van, • BYD long-range electric bus, and • a pairing of a 2016 Tesla Model X and a 1914 Detroit Electric car.
The event also featured a variety of display booths by our local stakeholders. Arizona Green Chamber of Commerce, EcoCar3, Untapped Fuels, Green Living Magazine, Maricopa Air Board –to name a few –were all present
Our coalitions would like to thank everyone who participated in the event. Our special thanks go to our major utility sponsors including Arizona Public Service Company, SRP (Salt River Project), and Southwest Gas.
at the event. A range of electric vehicle car charging companies were also present, from GOe3 to ChargePoint.
ASHLEY GUELIAN | Valley of the Sun Clean Cities Coalition | ashley@cleanairaz.org | 480-314-0360 10
SAVE THE DATE! The 8th Green Transportation Summit & Expo
April 11-12, 2017, Portland, Oregon Conference & Expo April 11-12 Portland Expo Center
Exclusive Performance Ride & Drive April 12 Portland International Raceway
brian.trice@gtsummitexpo.com gtsummitexpo.com (503) 688-0989
GLENNS FERRY’S CNG
DETERMINATION
Glenns Ferry is in rural south central Idaho with a population of about 1,250, yet the determined and dedicated folks in the Glenns Ferry School District’s transportation division have worked to integrate alternative fuel vehicles into their fleet of school buses. In 2011, after researching what alternative fuel might work for the school district, Transportation Supervisor Frank Case brought the idea of purchasing a used CNG bus, a used bi-fuel van and a Phill fueling unit as a first step in introducing CNG into the bus fleet to the School Board. He must have made a great argument because despite no existing CNG fueling capability within 75 miles and no firsthand experience with CNG, the Board agreed to the project and Glenns Ferry was off and running as the first school district in Idaho to operate CNG vehicles.
Above, Frank Case (2nd from right) describes the CNG system to Treasure Valley Clean Cities stakeholders. Below, the Phill, time-fill refueling appliance in the bus refueling area.
about $15,000 in fuel costs with four of their 14 buses operating on CNG. They have also found that the CNG buses have fewer maintenance issues than their diesel buses. Frank Case’s advice to others who are thinking about using an alternative fuel: Do your research and if it makes sense, give it a try. You can start off slow but don’t let the change or setbacks dissuade you from working out the kinks. The long term vision is to continue to add CNG buses and move toward a 100% CNG bus fleet and the installation of a larger (and faster) fueling system that would serve the school as well as the public. Go Glenns Ferry School District #192!
Despite having a less-than-ideal fueling situation, Frank and the folks in the transportation department made the CNG vehicles work with the rest of the fleet; so much so that when more funds were available in 2015, the Board approved the purchase of two new CNG buses and a larger fueling system. In 2015, the Glenns Ferry School District saved
BETH BAIRD | Treasure Valley Clean Cities | bbaird@cityofboise.org | 208-384-3984 12
SACREMENTO HOLDS 7TH ANNUAL CLEAN TECHNOLOGY FORUM & EXPO Sacramento, California continues to play a pivotal role in the global efforts to decrease fossil fuel emissions, particularly in the transportation sector. The Sacramento Clean Cities Coalition partnered with CALSTART and NAFA to successfully produce the 7th Annual Clean Technology Forum and Expo this past October, at the California Auto Museum in Sacramento. The two-day event highlighted new alternative fuel and vehicle technologies and featured multiple vehicle displays and educational sessions. The first day began with a sustainable fleet management training program given by Claude Masters from the National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA). The training was well attended by a number of eager fleet managers from the greater Sacramento area and reaching as far as the Bay Area, and varying in fleet sizes. The managers were searching for new ways to make their fleets more sustainable and eco-friendly. The training session was followed by a reception sponsored by Toyota, where five different categories ranging from individuals to fleets were awarded and recognized as Clean Air 13
Champions for their superior achievements or sustained excellence in the alternative fuel and advanced technology clean air field. The East Bay Clean Cities Coalition also awarded winners in similar categories at this time. Day two was greeted with excitement by attendees, vendors and exhibitors alike as the number of speakers and panelists increased tenfold, with representatives ranging from CALSTART to NexGen Fuel to Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) speaking during the day. There were dozens of indoor and outdoor displays showing off new alternative fuel technologies and advances to the fleet managers and operators in attendance. Over 20 vehicles were on display representing light, medium and heavy duty capabilities for CNG, electric and hybrid low-emission technologies. Between the presentations and panel discussions, attendees were able to visit and interact with representatives from different companies, as well as participate in a Ride and Drive event. Fleet managers were also given an opportunity to test drive AFVs. Overall, the event was a great success!
Above: Heavy-duty AFVs lined up outside along with a temporary KAMPS Propane tank and dispenser to show attendees the simplicity of propane refueling. Below: Several CNG trucks in the distance, and two BMW PHEVs - the i8 in middle and the i3 on the right.
EMILY BRAATEN | Sacramento Clean Cities Coalition | ebraaten@airquality.org | 916-874-4845 14
COVER STORY
FOUR FLORIDA COALITIONS BRING AFV TRAINING TO FIRST RESPONDERS ACROSS THE STATE In an effort to prepare Florida’s first responders for emergencies involving AFVs, a consortium of Florida Clean Cities coalitions, through support of the U.S. Department of Energy, offered AFV Safety Training to fire fighters, other first responders and public safety instructors in 2016. The goal of the project was to establish a statewide network of certified trainers who will provide AFV Safety Training to their fellow first responders as well as to students entering the field. The program was undertaken in partnership with the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) at the University of West Virginia. The NAFTC one-day “train the trainer” (T3) course for fire fighter training instructors was held throughout the state and hosted by each of Florida’s four designated Clean Cities coalitions. The workshop was also offered at the Florida State Fire College, the
instruction and certification arm of the State Fire Marshall. The Fire College has certified the course and the subsequent courses to be taught by the instructors for continuing education credits for instructors and their students. The next phase of the project will support additional training of first responders by the instructors completing the T3 course. The project lead is the University of Central Florida’s Clean Cities Coalition program located in Cocoa, Florida: www.centralfloridacleancities.com. The participating coalitions are the North Florida Clean Fuels Coalition, Southeast Florida Clean Cities Coalition, Tampa Bay Clean Cities Coalition and Central Florida Clean Cities Coalition.
Above: First responders view the electrical system that is on a Chevy Volt (orange means high voltage!). At right: (top) An example of one of the presentation rooms at one event, and (bottom) attendees pose with the NAFTC instructor, center, Jeff Julian.
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It took a partnership to get all the needed AFVs to all of these events. We greatly appreciate all the partners that made this happen! Colleen Kettles, Program Director, Florida Solar Energy Center & Coor., Central Florida Clean Cities • Florida Solar Energy Center
• Florida Transportation Systems
• Waste Management
• Broward School District
• City of Melbourne
• Broward Fire Academy
• FPL
• Fire Academy of the South
• Duke Energy Florida
• Hillsborough Comm. College
• JEA
• Melbourne Fire Department
• Marion County Fleet Dept.
• Florida State Fire College
• TECO Energy
• Firehouse Subs
• Pearson Nissan of Ocala
• Jacksonville Transit Authority
• Hillsborough County
• St. Johns County
• Tampa International Airport
• Amerigas
COLLEEN KETTLES | Central Florida Clean Cities Coalition | ckettles@fsec.ucf.edu | 321-638-1004 16
PARTNER FOCUS
A.
B.
CLIFF NOTES ON FHWA GUIDANCE THE DESIGN AND APPROPRIATE USE OF SIGNAGE FOR ALT FUEL CORRIDORS By Fuels Fix Senior Editor Jonathan Overly
Just before Christmas 2016, the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) and its Office of Transportation Operations released a memorandum with the subject “MUTCD - Signing for Designated Alternative Fuels Corridors.” This document was a long awaited follow-up to the FHWA’s development from the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act “that required USDOT to designate national plug-in electric charging, hydrogen, propane and natural gas refueling corridors in strategic locations along major highways to improve the mobility of alternative fuel vehicles.” Starting in 2015, FHWA requested input from a wide variety of interested parties on what should be defined as a “corridor” and what kind of ideas or advice they have about alternative fuel corridor designation 17
development. In summer 2016, FHWA specifically asked states and partners to develop a report that included what corridors they would suggest FHWA designate as alt-fuel corridors within their states, with information about the corridor traffic, current alt-fuels infrastructure and their potential to be designated as an official “Alternative Fuel Corridor.” After receiving and reviewing those reports, on November 6, 2016 FHWA announced their designations for nationwide alt-fuel corridors. They built a section on their website that detailed “signage-ready” and “signage-pending” lists and maps for CNG, LNG, propane, EVs and hydrogen. The definitions of those terms appear to be (respectively) that “[there are] sufficient facilities on the corridor to warrant highway signage,” and that “insufficient facilities [exist at this time] on the corridor to warrant highway signage.”
C.
D.
E.
Opposite page: A - The primary designation or identification sign for an “Alternative Fuels Corridor.” B - The specific signage grouping and arrangement that is allowed when three or fewer alt fuels are available along the corridor (the main alt fuels corridor sign and in this case three General Service symbol signs). C - The individual General Service symbol signs for EV and CNG; signs for propane, hydrogen and LNG also exist. D - When more than three alt fuels are available along the corridor, this plaque can be used in conjuction with the primary corridor designation sign to replace the individual fuel signs (although additional, unique alt fuel signs may still be used). E - An example of the beginning of or end of signage to designate the start or end of the alt fuels corridor.
Below are some examples of text from the full memorandum, which can be found here. INTRODUCTION • Alt Fuels Corridor signs shall comply with the provisions of Part 2 of the MUTCD. • Signage for alt fuel corridors is not required; the document is providing guidance on appropriate use and placement of signage as selected for use. CORRIDOR IDENTIFICATION SIGNAGE & ASSEMBLIES • Due to limited size of the signs, they should only be installed as post-mounted roadside signs. • They should be limited to one sign at or near the beginning and the end of the corridor (in each direction of travel).
DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE TO FACILITIES - FREEWAYS When the primary ID signage is used, the applicable General Service symbol signs should be installed on the approach to an interchange where the fuel(s) can be found; that should be repeated at the interchange, and General Service symbol signs used beyond that as needed. DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE TO FACILITIES CONVENTIONAL ROADS General Service symbol signs may be used in advance of facilities located directly on a designated route. General Service symbol signs should be installed at turns off the designated route to direct traffic to an alt-fuel facility along a crossroad in the vicinity of the route.
Link to the FHWA Alt Fuel Corridors website: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/alternative_fuel_corridors/ 18
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ARKANSAS GETS INTO THE NDEW GROOVE
National Drive Electric Week (NDEW) was September 10-18, 2016, and this year marked the first time that the Arkansas Clean Cities Coalition (ACCC) participated in this nationwide event! NDEW is a celebration to heighten awareness of today’s widespread availability of plug-in vehicles and highlight the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars, trucks, motorcycles and more. NDEW began in 2011 as National Plug In Day, and the idea was to hold simultaneous events across the country on the same day. The event became so popular that it expanded to an entire week of events and changed its name in 2014 to emphasize driving electric and to offer a broader range of dates to accommodate more events and participants. Each event is
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led by local plug-in drivers and advocates and typically includes some combination of electric vehicle (EV) parades, ride-and-drives, electric tailgate parties, press conferences, award ceremonies, information booths and more. Plug In America, Sierra Club and the Electric Auto Association serve as the national team providing support to the events throughout the country. Nissan LEAF is the exclusive automotive sponsor of NDEW. ACCC partnered with Whole Foods Market at 501 Bowman Road in Little Rock to host the Arkansas event on September 16. Vehicles from Superior Nissan, Bale Chevrolet and North Point Volvo were on display and available for test driving. In addition, 16 current EV drivers were on hand to talk to consumers about their experience driving electric.
PATTI SPRINGS | Arkansas Clean Cities Coalition | springs@adeq.state.ar.us | 501-682-8065
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The nation’s premier clean transportation policy summit! The Summit provides a unique opportunity for Clean Cities Coalitions and leaders in the clean transportation industry to network and build partnerships with each other, and with key Congressional and Administration policymakers in Washington, DC. Energy Independence Summit 2017 will take place at the attractive Liaison Hotel, conveniently located just a few blocks from the nation’s Capitol Building. REGISTER TODAY!
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In Yellowstone National Park, the “Grand Prismatic Spring and Midway Geyser Basin from above “ by TheBrockenInaGlory as found on the Wikimedia Commons site for “List of National Park in the U.S.”