Southeastern Fuels Fix - Summer 2009 by East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition

Fuels Fix SOUTHEASTERN

SUMMER 2009 - FuelsFix.com

INSIDE THIS

ISSUE OF THE FIX

Blender Pumps • Propane Partners • Biodiesel Myths: BUSTED Raleigh One of the First for Project Get Ready Alt Fuels Training Comes to Alabama TSE Coming to Rowan County We Googled “Clean Cities” - Where Did Your Coalition Turn Up?

Pipeline B5: What are the Pros and Cons?

EZINE INNARDS Propane Focus

4 The ethanol industry is seeking to do the same thing the petroleum industry has been doing for years to help provide retailers a pathway for growth.

BY CRYSTELLE MARKEY AND JIM COKER CleanFUEL USA continues to develop technically advanced engine and fueling systems and Metro Lawn provides solutions to the pollution caused by lawn and garden equipment.

Pipeline B5

BY RANDY JENNINGS, AL CHRISTOPHER, TOMMY HUNT, STEVE RILEY, AND MARK MAUSS The Fix asks the southeastern Actors for Change how they feel about increasing movement of biodiesel through pipelines.

Clean Cities Connections

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

Raleigh One of the First for Project Get Ready THE FIX EDITORS

Jonathan Overly East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition jgoverly@utk.edu

Chelsea Jenkins Virginia Clean Cities cjenkins@hrccc.org

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

FuelsFix.com

BY KATHY BOYER Rocky Mountain Institute invites Raleigh as one of first three cities in nation to prepare for the introduction of plug-ins.

Keepin’ it Sunny in Florida

BY BILL YOUNG Florida is working on an electric vehicle initiative and is charging NEVs with PV power systems.

National FFV Awareness Campaign

BY BURL HAIGWOOD FFV Club of America helps after press, tent, ribbons and VIP speakers are gone.

The Southeastern Fuels Fix is published quarterly and produced by the U.S. DOE Clean Cities Program coalitions in the southeastern United States. Advertising information may be obtained

Clean Cities 15th Anniversary

by contacting either of the editors. All

BY STEVEN RICHARDSON Our southeastern fearless leader discusses the March 4 event that celebrated 15 years of Clean Cities successes.

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

Clean Cities Supported by ICF International

BY STACY NOBLET If you don’t already know about ICF, you need to know.

Opportunity Meets Preparation BY CHELSEA JENKINS New opportunities and challenges have positioned Virginia Clean Cities and stakeholders well.

East Tennessee Peaks and Valleys BY JONATHAN OVERLY The Run for Clean Air, Biodiesel ups and downs, and an electric boat is plying the waters of East Tennessee.

TARC Adds HEV Buses to Fleet BY MELISSA HOWELL The Transit Authority of River City brings 12 hybrid electric transit buses to Louisville.

PERC’s propane road shows provide a chance to “kick the tires”

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

Fleet Focus: Alliance AutoGas BY HENRY BODIE OF BLOSSMAN GAS Alliance AutoGas is working on turn-key platforms for fleets.

SC Hosts Annual Hydrogen Conference BY AMY LAWRENCE Over 1,000 researchers, manufacturers, gov’t and business leaders attended the annual hydrogen conference in Columbia.

Biodiesel Myths: Busted

TSE Project Coming to Rowan County BY JASON WAGER & SARAH NIESS Charlotte Metro area breaks ground on areas first truck-stop electrification project that will add 44 spaces.

AL’s National Training Center for Alt Fuels BY MARK BENTLEY Lawson State Community College is training techs how to install, maintain and repair alternative fuel technologies.

PIX Pages BY SOUTHEAST COORDINATORS Take a look at what southeastern coordinators and their stakeholders have been up to.

Thornton’s holds grand opening of second E85 site in Kentucky, and has highway signage!

26 SUMMER FIX 2009 |

PROPANE FOCUS CleanFUEL USA On the Job Contributed by Crystelle Markey, Sales & Marketing Coordinator

A visionary company since inception in 1993, CleanFUEL USA is recognized by fleet managers, fuel equipment manufacturers and distributors throughout the world for building safe and reliable equipment that satisfies environmental regulations and U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

programs, CleanFUEL USA provides the “Total Alternative Fuel Solution” with superior economic and environmental advantages. Visit: http://cleanfuelusa.com.

CleanFUEL USA’s most recent ventures include a partnership with Conoco Phillips to increase propane infrastructure throughout the United States. Atlanta will serve as the first of many cities where CleanFUEL USA will be opening up service centers for propane vehicles as well as increasing fueling sites for alternative fuel vehicles. CleanFUEL USA continues to engineer and develop their Liquid Propane Injection (LPI) system for several upcoming applications including the GM 6.0L engine and has also signed an agreement to distribute Impco conversion kits as a propane bi-fuel option. The Blue Bird Propane Vision school bus, equipped with the LPI system, continues to be a popular option for school districts nationwide. Fleets across the US are encouraged by the increase in alternative fuel offerings and CleanFUEL USA is working diligently to play a key role in developing technologically advanced propane engine and fueling systems. From fuel and refueling infrastructure to station equipment, engine systems and fleet management

Go Green. Save Green. Metro Lawn Contributed by Jim Coker, Heritage Propane & Metro Lawn

Metro Lawn is a division of Heritage Propane, the nation’s third largest propane company. Millions of Americans have been using propane (Liquid Petroleum Gas/LPG) for over 100 years. Many today have propane grills on their back decks or patio’s for those nice evening grill outs. What many people do not know is that propane is the third largest engine fuel in the world and in 1990 was added as an alternative engine fuel by the Clean Air Act. Metro Lawn wants to combat one of the nation’s largest polluters, Lawn and Garden Equipment, which are estimated to produce up to 10 percent of the nation’s pollution. Some have estimated that one conventional lawn mower (3.5 hp) pollutes as much in an hour as 40 late model cars. To add to this problem, it is said that 17 million gallons are spilled each year from overfilling this equipment, which is more oil than was spilled by the Exxon Valdez in Prince William Sound off the Alaskan coast.

Heritage Propane is working on a new Engine Fuels Program, and believes that in order for propane mowers to be accepted, the consumer must have a cost effective product, a good experience using the equipment, and support from the manufacturer and propane industry. Metro Lawn will support your efforts in conversions and new mowers with our technical staff, while supporting your fuel needs. If you would like to learn more, you can contact me at 865-850-2277 or go to www.gogreenmetrolawn.com. www.gogreenmetrolawn.com

SOUTHEASTERN SCUTTLEBUTT

GEFA has funded 34 public biofuel pumps in the last two years, and plans to fund even more. Can you see that I’m smiling? Don Francis Atlanta

The Knoxville Electric Vehicle Association (KEVA) has started and an excited team is forming to collaborate on pushing EVs here. Jonathan Overly East Tennessee We’ve got good biodiesel use in our area, but we are going to use our upcoming biodiesel workshop to kick it into high gear. Bill Young Space Coast, FL

I believe Abraham Lincoln said, “I will prepare, and one day my chance will come.” I think many have been preparing for some time, and now our chance has come. It’s an extraordinary time for us in the alternative fuel world, and I’m excited to see how our passion and dedication unfolds on this new road we are fashioning. Chelsea Jenkins Virginia

I’m over “stimulated.” Mark Bentley Alabama

Our propane workshop is paying off as interest in propane vehicles is really ramping up. Amy Lawrence South Carolina

I'd put my money on solar energy... I hope we don't have to wait 'til oil and coal run out before we tackle that. Thomas Edison, in conversation with Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone March 1931

Georgia is turning trash into treasure. From pine trees or landfill waste to ethanol, we are striving to meet our energy needs in a renewable way. Charise Stephens Middle Georgia KY is targeting projects with stakeholders based in Louisville but nationwide in scope UPS, Yum! Brands (KFC, Taco Bell, Long John Silvers, Pizza Hut, A&W) and Whayne Power Systems (Caterpillar, Thomas Built Buses)... these projects can be replicated!

Melissa Howell Kentucky

If House Bill 906 passes ($2,000 for any dedicated alt fuel vehicle), I’ll scream with joy! Kathy Boyer Triangle (NC) SUMMER FIX 2009 |

Pipeline B5: Moving to Greater Use of and Blending of Biodiesel Upstream of the Terminal The Fix posed the following question to some of our partners and southeastern Actors for Change with regard to greater movement of biodiesel in U.S. pipelines: “What are the pros and cons of such action, considering the southeast?” Here’s what we received.

target blends. Downstream blenders will need to look for information on their Product Transfer Documents for an indication of biodiesel content, and may need to specifically ask their suppliers for a confirmation of any biodiesel in the fuel. Alternatively, there are numerous rapid field test instruments available that marketers may wish to purchase to verify the presence of biodiesel in their base fuel prior to blending. For biodiesel growth as a whole, I feel that the pros are more important than the cons on this issue, and the daily use of biodiesel in conventional diesel fuel will strengthen the industry.

The recent demonstration of a successful delivery of a B5 biodiesel blend batch on Plantation Pipeline represents a tremendous leap forward for the mainstream commercialization of biodiesel. As we all know, our distribution system is based upon fungible pipeline deliveries, and the potential for success of any fuel will be enhanced if that fuel finds a place in this system. Randy Jennings Biofuels Administrator, Tennessee Department of Agriculture

Since the 2008 revision of ASTM D 975 incorporated up to five percent biodiesel, B5 is by definition diesel fuel. The United States consumes Nashville, TN about 40 billion gallons of diesel fuel each year. In 2007, we consumed about 450 million gallons of biodiesel. If B5 could move forward as the default diesel fuel formulation, the same way that E10 is moving forward for gasoline, the consumption for biodiesel as B5 alone would grow to 2 billion gallons per year – quite an increase from where we are today. Current U.S. production capacity for biodiesel is about 2.69 billion gallons per year, so I’m sure that our producers are very excited about this step forward. What are the negatives of both pipeline distribution and B5 and lower injections at the rack? Potential blenders downstream will need to be aware that the diesel fuel that they plan to use for blending may already contain biodiesel, and that will need to be accounted for as they calculate the amount of biodiesel to use to reach their

I have ambivalent feelings about the consequences of pipeline distribution of biodiesel. On the one hand, biodiesel can better compete on a price and quality basis with petroleum equivalents if producers and distributors are able to use the same well-developed distribution network available to petroleum producers and distributors. Fuel distributors are more likely to promote biodiesel blends if they can obtain them from the same Al Christopher terminals where they load petroleum Director, Division fuels and at very close to the same of Energy, Virginia price. Terminal access to biodiesel is Dept. of Mines, Minerals and Energy more likely to become widespread if Richmond, VA it can be shipped by pipeline, which probably will result in more injection blending, which solves one of the tougher quality issues and costs for distributors of biodiesel blends. But is the volume of biodiesel usage great enough to justify pipeline distribution in more than a handful of markets? The answer now, I think, is no. It is possible that the answer will continue to be—or possibly should be—no for quite some time to come. One of the potential benefits of biodiesel production is that it can be accomplished on a sustainable (distributed production) scale, avoiding great transport distances for raw materials and distribution of co-products and improving the fuel’s energy balance.

Pipeline distribution could have the downside of disrupting markets now served by small producers. One might say that is an acceptable price to pay if large-scale economies of scale ever are to be reached. But is it desirable or even possible to commoditize biodiesel on anything near the scale of petroleum?

Tommy Hunt CEO & President, Calloway Oil Co.

I have to say I am excited that five percent of the ULSD product in Kinder Morgan pipelines has the chance to be produced by the American farmer and not by an Arab in a desert or bought from a nationally owned oil company run by a dictator who hates America. The ability to ship B5 on Kinder Morgan will make this blend commercially viable immediately IF the price of the base stock remains commercially competitive compared to petroleum diesel.

not affect the engine performance or warranty. 6. Biodiesel mixed at the refinery and transported via pipeline would attain a greater level of blending than the traditional splash-drop method used at times by local fuel distributors. 7. In the future, the refineries and B100 manufacturers could develop a pipeline system that could link the many small B100 distillers around the country with the regional refineries. In essence it would be a reverse pipeline to the fuel refineries. This would eliminate the need to transport the B100 via conventional trucking methods. 8. Regional refinery blending would stabilize the production levels of smaller B100 manufacturers whose local markets fluctuate greatly. 9. An efficient and reliable supply of “pipelined” B5 could be legislated as a required fuel for certain areas of the country. You cannot legislate its use if there is not a consolidated and constant supply. 10. Overall, a stable and central market for B100 should bring down the price of biofuels while encouraging the startup of new biorefineries.

Maryville, TN

I am disappointed as a distributor since the product I buy will already be blended and I will lose the RINS value. The Southeast will have the advantage of cheaper freight by using this blend in the pipeline, which should increase fleet acceptance and decrease air pollution. It is also bound to help our foreign trade deficit. Any producer of biodiesel along the pipeline who is close to a breakout terminal has to be excited about the opportunity it gives him to market his products all the way to the East Coast. It is a good move for both the biodiesel industry and the motoring public in my opinion.

Here are my unordered thoughts on the issue of B5 in the pipelines. 1. Will provide a centralized B100 bulk storage facility at the refinery. This alone would reduce the uncertainty of the biodiesel market for the manufacturers and serve as a reliable one-stop-shop for B100 product sales. 2. Facilitate the widespread use of biodiesel. In parts of the country with nonattainment or other air pollution issues, B5 could be distributed as the Steve Riley normal summer blend, similar to E10 Fleet Manager, gasoline. City of Atlanta 3. Reduces transportation and Atlanta, GA distribution costs incurred by the biodiesel manufacturer. 4. B5 has been found to be completely reliable in the southeast (no cold flow problems when properly blended). 5. B5 is endorsed by most (if not all) major vehicle manufacturers (such as Ford) as a viable fuel mix that will

The Kinder Morgan announcement of moving biodiesel through the pipeline is great news for the biodiesel industry. It is validation that the fuel is proven for mainstream use. Pipeline transportation is a natural step for biodiesel helping to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and build national energy security. The move, however, brings political and practical challenges. Several states are deliberating legislation to effectively ban blending of biodiesel outside the Mark Mauss terminal, which would concentrate the CEO & President, power and, therefore, the profits, with SunsOil, LLC Athens, TN the majors. Enactment of such a law would clearly stand against functioning free markets, against the interests of the American people and against national energy security. Pipeline movement also raises a practical question of blending biodiesel with pipeline “diesel.” Typically, distributors can sell up to B5 without special labeling, and blends coming through the pipeline are expected to be B5 or lower. So it is essential that terminals identify the biodiesel blend and the properties of the original B100 to ensure proper handling and use downstream. Otherwise distributors may unknowingly further blend and sell B10 with unknown properties. Let’s applaud pipeline movement of biodiesel while working to ensure the informed use and availability of high-quality fuel outside the terminals.

SUMMER FIX 2009 |

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

Renewable and clean,

www.gogreenmetrolawn.com

Real Propane Fuel Solutions. We’ll provide a FUEL PROGRAM to help you go green and save green. 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.

Do you have a FlexFuel Vehicle?

We need your help.

Biodiesel is one of the nation’s most promising fuel alternatives and is helping to reduce

less greenhouse gas emissions

America’s dependency on foreign oil.

more en ine performance ___________________

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

The natural resource for ethanol information. The Renewable Fuels Association is the leading resource for ethanol information. It’s just natural to call our experts first if you need authoritative answers about renewable fuels. Call (202) 289-3835, or visit ethanolrfa.org.

Like a springtime breeze bringing fresh purified air clean fuels flow anew a diversity of cleaner, greener fuels are blossoming nearby winds of change blowing in a southeasterly way to rain clean fuels in

National FlexFuel Vehicle Awareness Project What you can do for yourself… and your country. www.ﬂexiblefuelvehicleclub.org

Renewable Fuels Association One Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 820 Washington, DC 20001

RALEIGH ONE OF THE FIRST FOR PROJECT GET READY kathy boyer central north carolina

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

The City of Raleigh has been invited by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) to be one of the first three cities in the nation to participate in Project Get Ready – a national effort to prepare markets for the introduction of plug-in electric and hybrid-electric vehicles (plug-ins). RMI and the City will be joined by Advanced Energy, Progress Energy and from various business, state, university and civic leaders in developing a Raleigh Plug-In Readiness Charter, which will include:

• Several cities are taking aggressive and excellent action to implement plug-ins, but their approaches and lessons learned aren’t coordinated.

1. How different stakeholders will work together, 2. Major milestones in several content areas, and 3. Identification of next steps and who will lead them.

Project Get Ready will:

Over 50 energy, state agency, municipal, and private industry partners joined together in an initial facilitated conversation on Thursday, February 19th. Partners heard from the Rocky Mountain Institute, Raleigh City Manager Julian Prosser, Progress Energy’s Mike Waters, and Advanced Energy’s Jeff Barghout on national efforts in this initiative, and the status of production plans by major automotive manufacturers. Partners began to identify strategic actions we can take to be a plug-in pioneer. What is Project Get Ready? Bringing electrified vehicles, advanced net-zero buildings, and a smart renewable grid together in innovative ways to provide clean, cheap, and secure mobility and electricity: that is the vision of integrated, electrified transportation. Project Get Ready is an initiative coordinated by RMI with the goal of accelerating the arrival of plug-in vehicles by helping communities get ready. Project Get Ready solves four problems simultaneously: • Regional leaders often ask, “how do I become a leader” and we don’t have a great answer; • OEMs are nervous that consumers won’t adopt plugins because the cars will be too strange (have early-stage snafus), have high costs, and infrastructure won’t be in place; • Infrastructure is expensive. Who will pay?

These problems can be overcome if cities/regions become ecosystems that welcome plug-ins. To create such an ecosystem, incentives need to be implemented ranging from financial incentives, “luxuries”, advertising, job training, education, service, and more.

• Create a dynamic “menu” of strategic actions that city and regional leaders can enact to be a plug-in pioneer, based on input from technical advisers and cities already engaged in implementing plug-ins. In this menu, RMI will analyze the “business case” for each action from the perspective of several key stakeholders (city gov’t, employers, consumers, etc.) • Provide a web database of all national (and some international) plug-in readiness activities (LINK). • Work one-on-one with at least 5 cities on creating their coalitions and charters. • Convene at least 20 cities as well as technical players regularly to discuss their lessons learned and best practices, and report these conversations on our website and materials. Some of our partner cities will have their own plans underway, others will be starting from the ground up. • Provide a benchmark that will allow cities/regions to “prove” that they are ready for mass adoption of plug-ins, and have taken meaningful steps to support this critical green technology (this may take the form of a seal of approval or certification like the LEED system that gauges readiness). • Document the progress made by participant cities in order to help quantify future demand and make it more transparent to industry (how much, where, and what type of support to expect) for plug-ins. • Provide helpful background and educational material on plug-in readiness.

SUMMER FIX 2009 |

KEEPIN’ IT SUNNY IN FLORIDA bill young florida - space coast

1679 clearlake road, cocoa fl 32922-5703 young@fsec.ucf.edu - 321-638-1443 www.clean-cities.org

Florida Battery Beach Burnout Competition among cars and drivers has excited people since cars hit the road. NASCAR isn’t the only car event, as shown in Florida on February 21st and 22nd. The Florida Electric Auto Association (FLEAA) hosted the 4th Annual “Battery Beach Burnout”, an electric drive vehicle competition, in Jupiter, FL at Florida Atlantic University. The event consisted of multiple competitions involving electric vehicles (EV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV), including an auto-cross, scooter-cross, vehicle performance tests, Electrathon and a Show & Shine event. This premier annual electric vehicle event in the Southeast was free to the public. The purpose of Battery Beach Burnout was to raise public and media awareness of the current state of electric and hybrid vehicles and to educate people about ‘green’ alternative fuel vehicles. The event showcased and promoted alternative energy technologies to power vehicles of the future to solve our transportation, energy and air quality problems. The FLEAA had approximately 80 vehicles participating and on display throughout the weekend. Vehicles ranged from a beautiful 1920 Milburn Electric to the stylish new Tesla Roadster, from modern show-room hybrids to A123/Hymotion converted Prius to FPL’s Plug-in Hybrid Aerial Bucket trucks, and electric scooters to Electrathons. For the results of the event, go to the FLEAA Website: http://floridaeaa.org/modules/content/index.php?id=9. What a Sunny Idea The sunshine state is using its most abundant resources to power electric vehicles: the sun. The city of Eustis is installing a photovoltaic (PV) power system to charge neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV). The utility grid-tied PV system developed by Rublab of Eustis has three charging station terminals for the vehicles to plug into. Progress Energy will distribute the energy back to the grid when the sun is shining and supply the energy needed to charge vehicles plugged into the system any time of the day as needed. The solar panels are being developed by Advanced Solar Products of Lake Mary. This Florida project sounds like a Rube Goldberg idea, but that is not only how Rublab got its name it makes sense as locals drive their NEVs between Mount Dora, Travares and Eustis each day, as oil cost rise like the sun each morning. A Florida Electric Vehicle Initiative Fran and Ron Fahs started the Electric Vehicle Initiative as an educational outreach program with the Florida Electric Auto Association to make automotive students aware of electric drive technologies. The Automotive Service Excellence Program (ASE) provided training at many Florida Community Colleges. The

Electric Vehicle Initiative team will visit many schools during their 6-week trek to Tallahassee to meet state representatives. You can follow their daily activities through their blog at http:eviblog. floridaeaa.org. They have attended the FLAEAA Battery Beach Burnout (EV race and event), Indian River Community College and Palm Beach Community College in their converted Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid using a Hymotion kit.

ETHANOL FOCUS

Blender Pumps Contributed by Robert White, Renewable Fuels Association What if fuel retailers could offer drivers more choices at the pump without adding expense? What if one of those choices was an alternative fuel, like E30 or E85? These are the questions America’s ethanol producers are asking petroleum marketers and fuel retailers across the country. The concept here is simple and one that has been used by the petroleum industry for years: blender pumps. The petroleum industry has successfully used blender pumps to combine regular unleaded with premium gasoline at a 50/50 ratio to create a mid-grade product without the need for a third storage tank. The ethanol industry is simply seeking to do the same. By blending denatured ethanol (or E85 – 85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) and regular unleaded, a fuel retailer could then offer regular unleaded, E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline) and E85 for flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) designed to use this higher ethanol blend. In addition, retailers would also be eligible for the blender tax credit otherwise known as the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit, which puts them in control of that federal funding (a positive for them versus someone else controlling the blending and the credit). If those incentives weren’t enough, instead of having a stand alone E85 dispenser that only a certain percentage of customers can use, these dispensers have a product for everyone and every engine type. If you need fuel for your lawn mower or your flex-fuel vehicle, you are set. If prices are such that you feel like you can afford E30 in your FFV at the moment but not E85 (if ethanol prices are temporarily high), then you have that option. With no blender pump, you do not have that option.

to be produced, distributed and sold. Blender pumps not only offer choices today, but provide retailers a pathway for growth into the future. We are confident that the maximum level for non-flex-fuel vehicles will increase at some point above 10% ethanol. We also believe that more consumers will want a blend between E10 and E85, like what we have seen in the Midwest already. Blender pumps are a safe and economical solution to both issues. Gas stations of today will give way to refueling stations in the future, providing consumers the choice at the pump they deserve. Ethanol blender pumps are not only beginning that transition, but also offer a way for retailers to capitalize on the growing demand and production of renewable alternatives to petroleum. Robert White is the Director of Market Development for the Renewable Fuels Association, the national trade association for America’s ethanol industry. Follow his activities via twitter at www.twitter.com/fuelinggood . The blender pump image below is from a Zarco 66 station in Ottawa, Kansas. Note the clearly displayed “Flex Fuel Vehicles Only” text, as well as the price differences.

As the country works toward the requirements of the Renewable Fuels Standard - 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel use annually by 2022 more ethanol will need

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FLEXFUEL VEHICLE CLUB OF AMERICA LAUNCHES NATIONAL FFV AWARENESS CAMPAIGN Burl Haigwood, President, FlexFuel Vehicle Club of America 202-441-2400; burl.haigwood@flexiblefuelvehicleclub.org The FlexFuel Vehicle Club of America was created to implement a national Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) Awareness campaign and build a national database of FFVs owners and alternative fuel enthusiasts to support biofuel stakeholder organizations. The Club’s mission will compliment and accelerate the existing efforts of other stakeholders trying to increase ethanol demand through the sale of higher volume blends of ethanol. Increasing the ethanol blend level above 10 volume percent is critical to 1st generation biofuel plants so they can avoid hitting the E10 blend wall and be forced into “pit row” early for running out of market. The mission of the Club is also necessary to pave the way for the rest of the race to 2nd generation biofuel projects. The Club’s mission has been supported by the Clean Fuels Foundation, the Ethanol Across America education campaign, FFV makers, and other biofuel stakeholders. The FlexFuel Vehicle Club effort will directly support state/federal government and environmental community goals to increase the utilization of E85 in FFVs and expand the education and outreach focus from fleets to the public. The Club is designed to help local Clean Cities coordinators, gasoline retailers, ethanol suppliers, and FFV makers meet national renewable fuel standard goals. Most important is to complete the life cycle of refueling infrastructure development through residual education and outreach after the new station grand opening. “With the exception of the amazing work that is being done by in Minnesota by the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, the vast majority of infrastructure development and high blend ethanol marketing effort end after the station’s opening. After the press, the tent, guest speakers, and ribbons have gone, we want the Flexible Fuel Vehicle Club [decal] to carry on,” said Club president Burl Haigwood. The tactical execution of the FlexFuel Vehicle Club mission is to decal FFVs, E85 and blender pump dispensers, gasoline retailer store doors, auto dealer showrooms, and service center doors and use the Club website to coral and nurture brand loyalty. Currently, ethanol and E85 branding and education/outreach efforts are targeted to the gasoline retailer and messaging is focused on the fuel. FFV decal branding will compliment those efforts but target the FFV owner and then the FFV seller for messaging support.

The FlexFuel Vehicle Club’s national FFV awareness program will work with the automobile dealership network and other community leaders to increase FFV awareness (and by default energy security and ethanol/E85/ biofuel) to the public. This two pronged portfolio approach to branding (e.g., the gasoline retailer + fuel in combination with the vehicle owner + automobile dealer network) will take advantage of the existing and caring connection that FFV owners have with their cars and the trusted business relationship they have with their local automobile dealership/maker. The Club, through its outreach project entitled “E-Powerment”, can help after the technical support and investment have been made in developing new E85 refueling infrastructure by other stakeholders. The Club will work with local Clean Cities coordinators and local civic organizations to execute a series of specific and periodic outreach programs aimed at the Governor, state energy offices, Department of Motor Vehicles, inspection stations, auto service centers, and new and used auto dealerships. As a free or fee membership organization, the FlexFuel Vehicle Club will corral and harness the power that seven million FFV owners and the millions of future FFV owners can represent. The core message of the Club will be to validate and evangelize the proven fundamental principles that FFV ownership and E85 use have on stimulating the economy, improving the environment, enhancing energy security, and directly empowering the consumer to have an impact on their personal and their community’s health and economic well being. Lowering the price of gasoline and crude oil, reducing oil imports, and creating 500,000 jobs are much more popular and widely accepted noble causes when compared to just environmentalism. Tired of just complaining about your oil addiction? JOIN THE CLUB! www.flexiblefuelvehicleclub. org.

CLEAN CITIES 15TH ANNIVERSARY steven richardson southeast DOE program leader

po box 880, morgantown wv 26507-0880 steven.richardson@netl.doe.gov - 304-285-4185 www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/

On March 4, 2009, coordinators, past and present program staff, industry and government stakeholders gathered in Washington to celebrate Clean Cities’ 15th anniversary. Hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) at DOE headquarters, this special event lauded the program’s accomplishments since its 1993 inception, as well as the people who helped contribute to its success. After a formal welcome by National Clean Cities Director Dennis Smith and Co-Director Linda Bluestein, MotorWeek host John Davis presented a special video montage highlighting 15 years of significant Clean Cities moments, events, and media coverage. Following the video, a panel of current and former Clean Cities staff members discussed the program’s progression. Panel members included: •

•

• • • •

Dennis Smith, national Clean Cities director Linda Bluestein, national Clean Cities co-director Michael Scarpino, regional Clean Cities project manager for the Northeast region Tom Gross, deputy assistant secretary for EERE’s Office of Transportation Technologies, 1992-2002 Shelley Launey, Clean Cities director, 1992-1994, 1999-2005 Tommy Foltz, Clean Cities co-director, 1993-1997 Marcy Rood Werpy, Clean Cities deputy director, 19952008 Ernie Oakes, regional Clean Cities project manager retired, 1996-2008

The two-hour event also included an awards ceremony that was hosted by Associate Under Secretary of Energy Richard Moorer, which recognized the following representatives from Clean Cities’ first six coalitions: •

•

• •

•

12 Five-Star Schools Philadelphia: Dennis Winters of Greater Philadelphia Clean Cities (GPCC) and GPCC chairman William Flemming of PECO Fleet Services Delaware: Emily Kuiken of the State of Delaware Governor’s Office Las Vegas: Jim Brandmueller, first chairman for Las Vegas Regional Clean Cities and coordinator of the Eastern Sierra Regional coalition Washington, D.C.: George Nichols and Leah Boggs of Metropolitan Washington Alternative Fuels Clean Cities Partnership, Michael Carter and Ron Flowers of the Washington Department of Public Works (WDPW), and George Hawkins and Sabrina Williams of the District Department of the Environment (DDE)

Also during this segment, DDE, MARTA, PECO, and WDPW received Lifetime Partnership Awards for being original Clean Cities stakeholders, and Jeff Rader received an Award of Recognition for his service as the first Clean Cities coordinator and for his leadership in helping to establish the Clean Cities program. In addition, Dennis Smith presented the following awards to Clean Cities staff members. •

•

Atlanta: Dwight Ferrell of Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid • Transit Authority (MARTA); Clean Cities Atlanta (CCA) chairwoman Patsy Brownson of Cox Enterprises; and CCA’s first coordinator Jeff Rader, county commissioner of Dekalb County, Georgia Denver: Natalia Swalnick of Denver Metro Clean Cities (DMCC) and DMCC chairman John Gonzales of Adams

David Rogers received a Leadership Award for 15 years of outstanding vision, dedication, and exceptional leadership. Wendy Dafoe of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory received a Lifetime Achievement Award for 15 years of outstanding service to the Clean Cities program. Mike Scarpino of the National Energy Technology Laboratory received a Lifetime Achievement Award for 12 years of outstanding leadership, creative thinking, and devotion to the Clean Cities program. Barb. Wolfe of New West Technologies received a Lifetime Achievement Award for nine years of outstanding service for to the Clean Cities program.

SUMMER FIX 2009 |

CLEAN CITIES SUPPORTED BY ICF INTERNATIONAL stacy noblet ICF International

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

Many readers, particularly those in and around the Beltway, may be familiar with the name ICF International (ICF). The company has worked on a vast array of energy, climate change, transportation, social programs, and homeland security projects for government and private clients for more than 40 years. What readers may not know is our connection to Clean Cities. Since 1997, ICF has supported Clean Cities by working with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to provide technical expertise, program support, and research capabilities toward the advancement of alternative fuels, advanced vehicles, and petroleum reduction strategies. ICF has operated the Clean Cities Technical Response Service for the past four years, which involves responding to inquiries and requests related to the Clean Cities portfolio items of alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, fuel economy, and idle reduction. These inquiries and requests come from Clean Cities Coordinators and stakeholders, legislators, fleet managers, industry contacts, and consumers. Previously, we operated and managed the National Alternative Fuels and Clean Cities Hotlines, which were precursors to the Technical Response Service. ICF is responsible for the maintenance of the Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC) fueling stations database, which populates the online Alternative Fueling Station Locator. Fuel types included in this database are compressed and liquefied natural gas, E85, liquefied petroleum gas (propane), biodiesel blends of at least 20% (B20), and electricity. The database includes stations available to the public as well as private access stations to provide an accurate picture of the nation’s alternative fueling infrastructure.

coordinators, utility employees, and state and federal employees from transportation, energy, and environmental departments. Historically, ICF has assisted with updating the light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle databases, tracking and supporting industry events, maintaining an industry contacts database, coordinating and managing the National Clean Cities Conference & Exposition, developing the Clean Cities Handbook, and writing the Biofuels News and Alternative Fuels News publications (predecessor to Clean Cities Now). ICF is widely regarded as the leading firm in the U.S. for its analysis of fuel economy technology issues. In 2007, ICF acquired Energy and Environmental Analysis (EEA), Inc., which enhanced our capabilities in the areas of natural gas, fuel efficiency technology and regulatory standards, vehicle emissions, biofuel production, and modeling. ICF’s extensive experience in the alternative fuels and advanced vehicles arena makes us a valuable resource for Clean Cities stakeholders and other industry players. Our technology expertise, knowledge of the applicable state and federal laws and incentives, and demonstrated program implementation experience contribute to high-quality products and services that help Clean Cities meet its program objectives. ICF looks forward to supporting the expected growth of Clean Cities as the alternative fuels and advanced vehicles industry continues its expansion through the decades to come.

Web sites mentioned above include: • Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ • Alternative Fueling Stations www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/stations.html ICF also updates the AFDC database of state and federal incentives and laws that apply to alternative • State & Federal Incentives & Laws www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/incentives_laws.html fuel consumers, fleet managers, advanced vehicle manufacturers, alternative fuel producers, and infrastructure • Clean Cities Now http://www.afdc.energy.gov/cleancities/ccn/ developers. Each year, we are responsible for researching and summarizing enacted state and federal legislation, confirming public and private incentive program details, and corresponding with contacts such as Clean Cities

OPPORTUNITY MEETS PREPARATION chelsea jenkins virginia

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

To say we have been busy would be an understatement. Virginia Clean Cities and stakeholders have been working excitedly and doggedly since February to chase the multitude of opportunities that have seemingly been raining down mostly as a result of the Recovery Act. Many of us in Clean Cities disappeared into a cave and wrote grant proposals for four months straight. But now we are beginning to relish in the pleasure (or displeasure) of our hard work and are beginning to learn of the results. Luckily, Virginia Clean Cities was positioned quite well to assist stakeholders in navigating the rivers of funding, and were able to come out alive and ahead. Since we have so many exciting projects underway, we figured we’d provide a brief summary of some of our current top focus items. Some of these programs are sourced from Recovery Act funding, while others are ongoing projects that might be of interest. Biodiesel 301: Soy Biodiesel and Our Changing Alt Fuels Landscape Virginia Clean Cities teamed with the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition on a United Soybean Board/Soybean Checkoff request for applications for the Soy Biodiesel Communications Reimbursement Program. We were awarded $11,070 to conduct workshops in Virginia and Tennessee, and host one webinar. Here’s the skinny on the workshops: Virginia Workshop Tuesday, August 25, 2009 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality 629 East Main Street, Richmond, VA Register and agenda at http://www.hrccc.org/main/?page_id=7 Tennessee Workshop Wednesday, August 26, 2009 Register and download agenda at www.ETCleanFuels.org Webinar Tuesday, September 22, 2009 1 pm EST Please check www.hrccc.org for updates and registration info.

Virginia Diesel Emission Reduction Initiative Clean Cities and stakeholders have been awarded $1 million provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program. The award is the largest award granted to Virginia Clean Cities and stakeholders to date to assist in reducing petroleum consumption and air pollution. Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) will receive funding to retrofit 35 transit buses with continuously regenerating technology diesel particulate filter technology. Chesterfield County will replace a diesel refuse hauler early with a new hybrid version for use in a senior citizens neighborhood. Spotsylvania Public Schools will replace 4 school buses ahead of schedule with Blue Bird Propane Vision school buses, which already meet the 2010 emissions standards. The City of Chesapeake will accelerate the replacement of 10 refuse haulers and replace with vehicles meeting the 2007 and 2010 emissions standards. The Virginia Diesel Emission Reduction Initiative will improve air quality by reducing NOx by 7.14 tons, particulate matter by 7.36 tons PM, hydrocarbons by 5.52 tons, and carbon monoxide by 65.45 tons annually. Green Operators (GO) Program The Green Operators (GO) program provides rebates to retrofit older vehicles with more emission-efficient engines and recognizes partners for setting and achieving goals for reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases associated with the transport of goods. Program partners include the Virginia Port Authority, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, The EPA, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Quality Management Association, and Virginia Clean Cities. To find out more about the program, visit http://www. portofvirginia.com/corporate/environment/go-program.aspx.

Thanks to Our 2009 Platinum Sponsors & Strategic Partners

SUMMER FIX 2009 |

OPPORTUNITY MEETS PREPARATION, CONT. chelsea jenkins virginia

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

Hydrogen Education for Decision Makers Project The goal of this two-year project is to increase a targeted audience’s understanding of hydrogen and fuel cells, including early market applications, and to provide specific examples of actions that the targeted audience – state and local government leaders – can take to support the development and use of hydrogen and fuel cell technology leading to a better understanding of the community benefits that can result. In-person workshops are being conducted by technical experts and professional educators over the two years, which ends September 2010, in Virginia, Maryland and DC. To find out more about the hydrogen workshop series, download past workshop curriculum, or learn about upcoming workshops, visit our website. Virginia Clean Diesel Campaign The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides $88 million in new funding to support clean diesel grant and loan programs administered by states and the District of Columbia. The Recovery Act Funding for the State Clean Diesel Grant Program provided the Commonwealth of Virginia with $1.73 million to help reduce diesel emissions and maximize job creation and preservation. Virginia Clean Cities assisted eligible stakeholders with successful applications to the state for propane school buses, idle reduction devices, new vehicles, and a biodiesel grant program that will buy down the cost of biodiesel for public fleets. E85 Infrastructure Project The goal of this project is to make E85 publicly available in up to 12 locations in Virginia, Maryland, and DC by providing grant funds to station owners to help defray the cost of conversion. To-date, eight E85 stations have been opened in VA-MD-DC. Virginia Clean Cities helped organized two recent grand opening events in Charlottesville and Virginia Beach: STOP IN 1220 Seminole Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22901 (434) 973-1005 Hrs: 24/7 Navy Exchange Oceana 1449 Tomcat Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23460 (757) 425-4281 Hrs: 24/7 Funding is still available to retailers interested in making E85 available to the public.

Virginia Electric Drive Road Show Virginia Clean Cities is hosting an electric drive road show on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 in Poquoson, Virginia. The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. with lunch and a panel of speakers, and then feature a ride-n-drive event with hybrids, electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Speakers range from Jim Francfort of Idaho National Labs who will discuss the research they are doing on plug-in hybrid batteries and John Aker of Aker Wade who will discuss fast charging infrastructure and the exciting pilot being launched in Charlottesville.

There are many more exiting projects underway and opportunities on the table, so check out our website at www.hrccc.org or email us at info@hrccc.org to find out more.

Bob Dineen (RFA), RDML Robert Bianchi (Navy), Congressman Glenn Nye (VA-001), CAPT Markham Rich, Todd Garner (Protec) take part in ribbon cutting ceremony at Oceana Navy Exchange on March 13, 2009. This E85 station is the first public station in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling pumps the first gallon of E85 from the new Charlottesville STOP IN that opened on January 5, 2009. The station was the first public retail E85 station in Virginia, and also sells biodiesel. Virginia Clean Cities worked with the media on a radio remote and gave away $300 of free fuel!

The MotorWeek crew interviewing Patrick Serfass, Communications Director of NHA, at the National Hydrogen Conference and Expo in Columbia, SC. Virginia Clean Cities and MotorWeek wrapped up filming and just completed the first “hydrogen update” video, that is available for viewing on our Website.

... “clean cities”, “clean fuels”, and “clean cities, fuels” to see which coalition’s Websites from all over the country landed in the top 20 results. We repeated the test on several computers, and although the results varied somewhat, it was quite clear which coalitions (seen below) are ranking higher in searches, at least the ones using these terms. We realized that Google may have been aﬀecting the results on one of our computers (due to the chance of frequent use of the terms ‘clean,’ ‘cities,’ and ‘fuels’), thus we used a computer in our oﬃce that had likely not been “tainted” with frequent searching for those words. [ --- = not a coalition related result]

“clean cities”

“clean fuels”

“clean cities, fuels”

---

Tucson

---

Alabama

Centralina

Utah

Kentucky

---

Palmetto State

Utah

Austin

Utah

Chicago

Tulsa

Ohio

Puget Sound

Oklahoma

---

Puget Sound

10. Triangle (NC)

10. Centralina

10. Oklahoma

11. Wisconsin

11. Ohio

11. Ann Arbor

12. Chicago

12. ---

12. Dallas-Fort Worth

13. Puget Sound

13. ---

13. Wisconsin

14. Greater Lansing

14. ---

15. Greater Philadelphia

15. ---

15. South Shore (IN)

16. South Shore (IN)

16. Southern Louisiana

16. Louisiana (both coalitions)

17. ---

18. Virginia

18. ---

18. Columbia-Willamette

19. Columbia-Willamette

19. ---

19. SCAG (SoCal)

20. Space Coast

20. ---

20. Virginia

UM MM M EE R R FF II X X 22 00 00 99 || SS U

17 17

EAST TENNESSEE PEAKS AND VALLEYS jonathan overly east tennessee

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

The Run for Clean Air Our largest annual event is called the Run for Clean Air and is a 5k run/walk that’s held in April each year. The 2009 event drew over 500 registered attendees. It is a combination of a fundraiser for us and an air quality awareness event held to bring attention to what can be done at the local level to reduce pollution in our air. Each year we draw upon a bevy of area sponsors to help us put on the event and now raise over $20,000 annually for our local work. Since we are about transportation fuels, we typically showcase on the order of 15-20 alternative fuel vehicles in addition to doing a number of other things at the event. Our “Hybrid Ride-n-Drive” usually brings 4-8 hybrids to the event from local dealers and works to put butts in seats so people actually get behind the wheel and try it out, listen to it, and learn about what hybrids are. (Honestly, with all of the hype and press surrounding hybrids over the last 10 years, you wouldn’t believe how many people don’t even know the basics of how a hybrid operates!) We always have a band, plenty of food, door prizes and other awards like beautiful, large Jim Gray prints, booths that discuss local air quality, massages for all our entrants, and of course great t-shirts! You can even take our local air quality quiz online to bone-up on your East Tennessee air pollution knowledge!

Chattanooga, Kingsport, Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Johnson City and Jonesborough. Others with that “this is a good thing” attitude include Knoxville Utilities Board and B&W Y-12. Kudos to them all for keeping with it! Electric Boat Quietly Traveling East TN Waters ETCFC members and activists Ted Buel, Christian Cain and Mike Whedbee pooled their talents and resources to build a highly efficient solar electric drive system for a small boat last spring. Christened the “Green Tek 1,” the boat utilizes “off the shelf” components and 3 deep-cycle marine batteries to power an aluminum runabout for up to 6 hours between charges. Three BP solar panels keep the system charged, and a standard 36-volt golf cart charger will bring fully discharged batteries back up to peak power overnight. “So far, we have never used up a full charge in one outing,” says Buel. “ We usually get at least two trips totaling 15 to 20 miles between charges.” Work has already begun on “Green Tek 2” where Buel says they hope to double the power. Look for the larger solar boat to begin testing on a nearby lake this summer.

This year’s Run was the best ever with almost 500 registered participants. With the partnerships we assembled, we believe we are continuing to further our impact! For pictures or to learn more about the event, visit http://www.RunforCleanAir.org. Local Biodiesel Ups and Downs In our coalition, we have quite a few alt-fuel fleet users spread throughout East Tennessee. It can be hard keeping up with them all, as well as getting timely data. But it is always refreshing to hear good news while bad news seems to be everywhere. That starts with the economy right now for both the biofuels, which is not attractive at least in our part of the U.S. But through our annual reporting, I’m finding out who has stuck with some of their biodiesel usage (the most used alt fuel in East Tennessee right now) during the hard times. This has to start with one of our industry partners, Eastman. So far at least, the economic downturn has not hit them hard enough to dislodge them from their commitment to using biodiesel year-round. In addition, several of our regional cities have stuck with their usage of biodiesel, and that includes

Top - Whebee shows off the inner workings of the Green Tek 1. Bottom - Cain loaded his family into Green Tek 1 and accompanied the canoe paddlers on the “Paddle for Clean Water” last October on Ft. Loudon Lake.

TARC ADDS HEV BUSES TO FLEET

melissa howell kentucky

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

The Transit Authority of River City (TARC) took delivery of three additional hybrid electric transit buses in June to bring their hybrid fleet to 12 operating in Louisville. “These vehicles have proven to be an excellent investment. They get better fuel economy, reduce pollution-causing emissions, require little maintenance and provide a quieter and smoother ride for TARC’s customers,” said Executive Director Barry Baker of TARC. An additional ten hybrid buses have been requested under the economic stimulus requests sent to Washington. If awarded, the fleet will total 22 hybrid electrics!

THE MATRIX - PUBLIC ALT FUELS STATIONS IN THE SOUTHEAST State

SC - H2 TN - E85 + B20

Fuel

B20

B-other2

CNG

E85

LNG

LPG

Alabama

3 (+1)

14 (+8)

159 (*)

216

Florida

15 (+3)

20 (+18)

103

Georgia

32 (+8)

119

Kentucky

0 (-1)

8 (+2)

Mississippi

North Carolina

24 (-8)

11 (-1)

102

South Carolina

9 (+3)

28 (+24) 1

135

Tennessee

33 (+5)

24 (-6+4) 0

116

Virginia

19 (+1)

4 (-1)

3 (+1)

Totals

168

182

450

933

0 4

17 (-1)

Total

NOTES FOR THE SUMMER ‘09 MATRIX: 1. 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. 2. “B-other” is public stations for any blend other than B20, and that includes lower and higher blends. 3. Uncertain of split between B20 and B-other in Alabama. This is a best guesstimate. 4. NC has three stations that sell B20 and at least one other blend; they are counted in both columns. * Fix had number wrong in previous issue.

SUMMER FIX 2009 |

FLEET FOCUS Alliance AutoGas Cleans Up Fleets, Expands Network Contributed by Henry Bodie, VP Business Development, Blossman Gas Inc. With major taxi fleets already operating on propane AutoGas in Detroit, Denver and Washington, D.C., Alliance AutoGas is deep into the first phase of rolling out an innovative turnkey platform for transforming fleets of conventional gasoline cars and trucks into clean alternative fuel hybrids. Launched in early 2009, Alliance AutoGas is a partnership that builds on the deep engine expertise and extensive fuel delivery network of its founding partners, Blossman Gas and American Alternative Fuel. Asheville, NC’s Blossman is the nation’s largest independent propane marketer. American Alternative Fuel, of Albany, NY, is the North American distributor of the Prins VSI hybrid engine system utilized by Alliance, which is EPA Certified for a range of common fleet vehicles. When a fleet, public or private, makes the decision to convert from conventional gasoline to propane Hybrid systems, technicians certified by Alliance come to fleet headquarters and facilitate conversion of gasoline engines to the Alliance AutoGas alternative fuel platform. Alliance also installs a fueling station at that fleet’s home base. Drivers and mechanics receive training from Alliance on safety, performance and maintenance. It’s a vertically

Our fleet customers make a commitment to achieve: - Lower fuel costs - Lower emissions - Less dependence on foreign oil - Without sacrificing power - Without sacrificing performance

integrated chain of what Alliance calls “clean fleet conversion and fueling.” From that moment forward, each Hybrid fleet is then hooked into a far-reaching network of AutoGas delivery, with a fuel supply guaranteed by Blossman Gas’ more than half century of tradition providing uninterrupted fuel supply from the Mississippi Gulf to Northern Virginia. Benefits are immediate and significant. “A fleet working with Alliance is not only receiving a powerful Hybrid engine system,” says Henry Bodie, Vice President of Business Development for Alliance. “These fleets get ongoing support, and guaranteed AutoGas fuel supply. With that come significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions and some serious cost reductions linked to a switch from conventional gasoline to less expensive propane AutoGas. 10 million vehicles worldwide run on propane AutoGas, and it’s the only domestically produced alternative fuel that is here now, and totally viable, now.” For more about Alliance AutoGas: www.allianceautogas.com

Al lia nc eA ut oG as

All ian ce Au toG as

When Alliance AutoGas converts vehicles into AutoGas Hybrids, we use Certified Technicians working in Certified Conversion Centers. That means our fleet customers receive: - The highest quality equipment - Installed by th best technicians - With tight quality & process control Each of our fleet customers is: - Displacing thousands of gallons of gasoline with propane AutoGas, - Using a fuel that is 90% produced in the U.S. - Fueling their vehicles right at the home base - Using a cleaner, less expensive alternative to foreign oil

SOUTH CAROLINA HOSTS NAT’L HYDROGEN CONFERENCE amy lawrence south carolina

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

Columbia, South Carolina hosted the National Hydrogen Conference and Expo from March 30-April 3, 2009. This event attracted more than 1,000 researchers, manufacturers, and government and business leaders. Speakers at the conference included officials from the U.S. DOE, Office of Naval Research, and Honda among others. During the conference, the Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition (PSCFC) sponsored an informational booth and contributed to the Ride and Drive event featuring the Honda Clarity and hydrogen-powered Segways. The conference yielded more than a dozen direct leads to companies interested in working with and within South Carolina. According to the director of the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance, Dr. Shannon BaxterClemmons, “South Carolina has a dynamic hydrogen community and the knowledge necessary to be a leader in the hydrogen economy.” She also argues “hydrogen and fuel cells are a strategic investment in South Carolina to create jobs in the short term and provide a structure for green growth in future years.” As part of the weeklong hydrogen festivities, the PSCFC joined others from around the state in celebrating the grand openings of South Carolina’s first two hydrogen refueling stations located in Columbia and Aiken, which connect along US Interstate 20 to form the “South Carolina Hydrogen Freeway.” This will connect two major hydrogen research hubs of the state, the University of South Carolina and the Savannah River National Laboratory. During the next year, Columbia will host a hydrogen hybrid bus that will be used and tested on routes for the University of South Carolina and the Central Midlands Transit Authority. For more information about the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance, please visit their Website at www.SCHydrogen.org.

Top - Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell (left) and Columbia’s Mayer Bob Coble (right) dedicate the South Carolina Hydrogen Freeway, which will link South Carolina’s first two hydrogen stations in Columbia and Aiken. Middle - The Hydrogen Hybrid Bus, available for ride-n-drive at the conference, is a dual drive electric bus that is powered by rechargeable batteries and hydrogen fuel cells and will be hosted by the city of Columbia for the next year.

SUMMER FIX 2009 |

Propane Road Shows a Chance to “Kick the Tires” Contributed by Brian Feehan, Vice President of the Propane Education & Research Council

A full lineup of propane-powered vehicles are touring the country in Propane Road Shows sponsored by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). To date, Propane Road Shows have been held in Alabama, California, Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. Locations planned for later this summer include Missouri and North Carolina.

For more on propane-powered equipment in general, log on to www.thirdthursday.net and sign up for a free PERCsponsored webinars held the third Thursday of every month at 11:00 am EST.

Each road show offers details about propane-powered on- and off-road vehicles from leading manufacturers, then moves outside so show-goers can see and drive the featured cars, trucks, school buses, mowers, and forklifts. Planning this sort of touring event involves many moving parts and requires flexibility to coordinate manufacturer involvement. To negotiate the process most effectively, the PERC team is working closely with Clean Cities coordinators, state propane trade association personnel, and local chapters of the National Fleet Management Association (NAFA). To learn more about Propane Road Shows, contact Greg Zilberfarb, education and outreach contractor for PERC at greg@thesales.net or 703-779-4890.

America’s Clean Cities coalitions. Building Local Partnerships that put Clean Transportation to Work!

TSE PROJECT COMING TO ROWAN COUNTY jason wager & sarah niess greater charlotte area

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

This spring the Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition (CCFC) joined CabAire LLC, its technology partner, and a gathering of local officials and staff to mark the groundbreaking for the Charlotte Metro regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first truck stop electrification project. The 44-space project will be constructed at the Derrick Travel Center off of Exit 71 on I-85 in Salisbury, NC. The travel center is owned and operated by the Worsley Operating Corporation. The groundbreaking ceremony marked the end of a multi-year process to develop the project. Centralina Council of Governments, which houses CCFC, received funding from both EPA and the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Improvement Program for the project in 2004. After several delays, CCFC selected CabAire as its technology provider in early 2008 after a competitive bid process.

The collaborative project will improve local air quality and be a model project to replicate across the state and beyond. For more information about our Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition contact cleanfuels@centralina.org or visit www.4cleanfuels.com.

Below - An overhead shot of the truck stop site along I-85. Bottom - Jim Bianco, President and CEO of CabAire LLC, demonstrates the window unit that truckers will use for heat, AC, electricity, cable and internet.

CabAire will be installing 22 modular towers that will each be able to serve two trucks, saving valuable space. Truckers will be able to easily access a window unit to obtain HVAC, electricity, cable and internet for an hourly fee. Sensor equipment on the towers will be able to detect whether a parked truck has shut off its engine or is continuing to idle. Truck engine idling contributes to air pollution while wasting a significant amount of diesel fuel and money. Over a billion gallons of diesel fuel is consumed annually by truck and locomotive engine idling. Annually, 11 million tons of carbon dioxide, 200,000 tons of oxides of nitrogen, and 5,000 tons of particulate matter are emitted from these vehicles. Projects that reduce truck idling, such as truck stop electrification, can have significant air quality benefits. CCFC expects the project to be completed in the fall of 2009. The final project will provide 44 electrified truck stop spaces on a major corridor through the Charlotte Metro region.

SUMMER FIX 2009 |

BIODIESEL FOCUS Biodiesel Myths: BUSTED Contributed by the Jenna Higgins of the National Biodiesel Board The television show Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel takes commonly

Myth: No objective biodiesel fuel standard exists.

held beliefs and puts them to the test of real science. Some hold up and

Fact: The biodiesel industry has been active in setting quality standards for

are confirmed by the facts, some are ranked just plausible, but many are

biodiesel for more than 15 years. ASTM specifications exist for diesel fuel and

BUSTED. If only more citizens would take the time to learn the facts, and

biodiesel fuel blends from 6 to 20 percent (B6 – B20 (D7467-09)), biodiesel

not be persuaded by the myths…especially in the case of biodiesel! Though

blends up to B5 to be used for on- and off-road diesel applications (D975-08a),

the show has yet to feature biodiesel myths, when they are held up to real

and home heating and boiler applications (D396-08b). ASTM approved the

science, they fall cleanly in the BUSTED category. Here are some of the

original specification for pure B100 (D6751) in December 2001. These ASTM

most common biodiesel myths featured in a new document published by the

specifications apply regardless of the fat or plant oil used to make the fuel.

National Biodiesel Board.

Copies of specifications are available from ASTM at www.astm.org.

Myth: Biodiesel contributes to global climate change and increased

Myth: Biodiesel does not perform as well as diesel.

greenhouse gas emissions.

Fact: One of the major advantages of biodiesel is the fact that it can be used

Fact: U.S. biodiesel is a green, sustainable part of the solution. It reduces

in most existing engines and fuel injection equipment in blends up to 20

lifecycle carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, by 78 percent compared

percent with little impact to operating performance. Biodiesel has a higher

to petroleum diesel.

A 2008 USDA/University of Idaho study shows for

cetane number than U.S. diesel fuel. In more than 50 million miles of in-field

every unit of fossil energy needed to create biodiesel, 4.5 units of energy

demonstrations, B20 showed similar fuel consumption, horsepower, torque,

are returned. New cropland is not needed to grow materials for biodiesel,

and haulage rates as conventional diesel fuel. Biodiesel also has superior

because soybeans are not grown for fuel, and there is a surplus of soybean

lubricity, and it has the highest BTU content of any alternative fuel (falling in

oil on the market. Advances in technology enable us to grow more using the

the range between #1 and #2 diesel fuel).

same acres of land. The National Biodiesel Board and its members support sustainable production of biodiesel. There is no scientific basis for assigning

Myth: Biodiesel use voids manufacturers’ engine warranties.

any significant responsibility for rainforest destruction to U.S. biodiesel, and

Fact: All major U.S. automakers and engine manufacturers accept the use

the vast majority of U.S. biodiesel is made from homegrown resources.

of up to at least B5, and many major engine companies have stated formally that the use of high quality biodiesel blends up to B20 will not void their parts

Myth: Biodiesel contributes to rising food prices.

and workmanship warranties. For a listing of specific statements from the

Fact: Produced from a wide variety of renewable resources, including plant

engine companies, please visit the National Biodiesel Board Web site at www.

oils, fats and even recycled restaurant grease, biodiesel is the most diversified

biodiesel.org/resources/oems.

fuel on the planet. And soybean-based biodiesel has a positive impact on the world’s food supply. Processing soybeans for biodiesel uses only the oil,

Myth: Biodiesel has fuel quality problems.

leaving 80 percent of the bean for protein-rich soybean meal. By creating

Fact: A study released in 2008 by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory

a market for soybean oil (a co-product of soybean meal), we increase the

(NREL) shows the biodiesel industry has substantially met national fuel

availability of protein-rich meal for human and livestock consumption. This

quality standards. The study demonstrated that plants certified under BQ-

has a positive impact on the food supply. From an economic standpoint, the

9000 consistently hit the mark. BQ-9000 is a voluntary fuel quality assurance

increased meal supply results in a more cost-effective food and feed source.

program that couples the foundations of universally accepted quality management systems with the product specification (ASTM D6751). The

Myth: Biodiesel doesn’t work in cold weather.

program covers storage, sampling, testing, blending, shipping, distribution

Fact: Properly managed, high quality biodiesel blends are used successfully

and fuel management practices. Biodiesel production facilities certified as

in the coldest of climates. Biodiesel will gel in very cold temperatures, just as

producers under the program cover nearly 80 percent of the U.S. biodiesel

common #2 diesel does. Although pure biodiesel has a higher cloud point than

market volume.

#2 diesel fuel, typical blends of 20 percent biodiesel are managed with similar management techniques as #2 diesel. Blends of 5 percent biodiesel and less

Myth: Biodiesel does not have sufficient shelf life.

have virtually no impact on cold weather operability. See www.biodiesel.org/

Fact: The current industry recommendation is that biodiesel be used within

cold for a cold weather guide.

six months, or reanalyzed after six months to ensure the fuel meets ASTM specifications. Most fuel today is used up long before six months, and

Myth: Biodiesel is an experimental fuel and has not been thoroughly tested.

many petroleum companies do not recommend storing petroleum diesel for

Fact: Biodiesel is one of the most thoroughly tested alternative fuels on the

more than six months. A longer shelf life is possible depending on the fuel

market. A number of independent studies – performed by the U.S. Department

composition and the use of storage-enhancing additives.

of Energy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stanadyne Corp. (the largest diesel fuel injection equipment manufacturer in the U.S.), Lovelace Respiratory

For copies of the brochure Biodiesel Myths: Busted, send an email to

Research Institute, and Southwest Research Institute – have shown that

info@biodiesel.org or call 800-841-5849. It is also available online at

biodiesel performs similar to petroleum diesel with greater benefits to the

www.biodieselsustainability.com.

environment and human health.

LAWSON STATE OFFERS FIRST ALT FUELS TRAINING IN AL mark bentley alabama

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

As the nation drives toward greater alternative fuels use, demand for technicians familiar with the new transportation technologies is increasing. Lawson State Community College’s Alabama Center for Automotive Excellence has passed a milestone in meeting this need. “The College has worked diligently to bring the leading transportation technology to Alabama,” said Perry Ward, President of Lawson State Community College. “The National Alternative Fuels Training Center (NAFTC) and the Snap-on Diagnostic Training Center are two of our newest training opportunities at the Alabama Center for Automotive Excellence,” added Dr. Ward.

identify the best alternative fuel for the specific application. The Alabama Center for Automotive Excellence at Lawson State’s Bessemer campus offers students an associate degree in automotive technology, which allows them to specialize in GM, Ford, or Toyota technology. The Center also has excellent auto body/collision repair and medium/ heavy truck technology programs. The College leads the southeast in transportation programs. For more information about alternative fuel classes or other automotive educational opportunities, contact Tommy Hobbs, 205-9293521.

Headquartered out of West Virginia University, the NAFTC is the only nationwide training organization for alternative fuel vehicle and advanced technology vehicle training in the United States. By qualifying for membership, Lawson State becomes one of only 38 National Training Centers and the only one in Alabama. As a National Training Center, Lawson State will provide classes and workshops covering a wide array of topics such as biodiesel, ethanol, hybrids, hydrogen, fuel cells, natural gas (CNG cylinder inspection, LNG, and light- and heavy-duty vehicles), battery-powered electric vehicles, and propane. Courses on emissions testing and alternative fuel vehicle applications for forklift and material handling will also be available. This new technology is especially relevant to automotive technicians, employers, fleet operators, public interest groups, and private entrepreneurs. “We congratulate Lawson State on this historic occasion,” says Mark Bentley, Executive Director of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition (ACFC). “Training the individuals that will install, maintain, and repair alternative fuel technologies is another important step toward the wide-spread viability and sustainability of an emerging alternative fuels industry in Alabama.” The ACFC serves as the principal coordinating point for clean, alternative fuel vehicle activities in Alabama. The coalition helps public and private entities

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Pix from the North Carolina combined coalitions “Drive Clean & Green Across North Carolina tour.” Top left - Former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark James Cain gives the thumbs up to E85 while sitting in an E85 Chrysler Town & Country from Novozymes. Below that is a full picture of the Caravan. Above - A 2009 GM Bucket Truck with an electric lift. The truck is dedicated CNG, but the lift is plug-in capable and the vehicle has additional on-board batteries to power the lift first during typical operation. One of Baker’s three conversion facilities is in North Carolina in Youngsville, in the Raleigh-Durham area. Bottom left - Thomas Built Buses has developed a hybrid technology for school buses in High Point, North Carolina, and is testing them there. Below - A Lotus Exige 270E Trifuel that was in reengineered to operate on any of three fuels (methanol, ethanol or gasoline). It was on its way to NCCAR for some testing.

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Top 3: Sweetwater Valley Oilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grand opening on May 22 of their E85 and B20 public pumps in Athens, Tennessee. Above - owner Scott Shankle and police chief give the thumbs up to E85. Right Mark Mauss, the producer of the biodiesel being used in the B20, posed with his family during the grand opening. Top - The line awaiting reduced-price fuel! Bottom 2: Below - Almost 500 runners and walkers hit the road for the 6th annual Run for Clean Air in Knoxville. 20 AFVs were on display spanning the five main fuels, and a prize was awarded to the individual who racked up the most learning about AFVs!

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PIX PAGES Thorntons held a Grand Opening on April 23 for their second E85 site in Kentucky, this one just off Interstate I-64 in Louisville (see how close to the interstate!). This site and Thorntons first Kentucky site (located off I-65 and part of that Biofuels Corridor Project) have interstate signage! A first for Kentucky. As of yet, all other retailers have chosen not to advertise E85 on their interstate signage.

PIX PAGES At right: The team at ICF that supports Clean Cities and provides alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technology deployment assistance. Left to right: Jackie Stepan, who manages the team, and Emily Fraser, Stacy Noblet, Alexis Castrovinci, and Sheri Lausin.

Below: Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition (Asheville, NC) stakeholders test out several electric vehicles after their June meeting. A new stakeholderâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;BioWheels of Ashevilleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;attended our 6/29/09 coalition meeting and brought an electric bike and electric scooter that stakeholders were able to test ride. Twenty to forty mile range depending on 1 or 2 batteries.

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