Fuels Fix SOUTHEASTERN
SUMMER 2010 - FuelsFix.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE OF THE FIX
SE Gets Stimulated Via Several ARRA Projects - Get the Scoop Alabama Clean Fuels Kicks Butt, Takes Names at Workshop Can We Hook-up? Uh... Online I Mean? We’s Gettin’ Social Carolinas Win Big, Plan Massive Build-out of Alt Fuels Middle Georgia Adds Alt Fuels Training Center Making CNG More Affordable I-75 Going Green
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SE CNG Corridors • Florida Public Station • Asheville’s CNG Rise • Videos • More...
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While we send billions of dollars per month to foreign countries for oil, our own economy is suffering. Americans are struggling, jobs are precious and it is long past time to move to a clean, domestic and affordable fuel which is plentiful and already ready & waiting to be used. Wise Gas, Inc. officially began operations in 2008 as a woman-owned small business with a vision of providing Florida an alternative fuel choice Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Through their work and vision, they are moving the future of America toward cleaner and more affordable fuels. To learn more about Wise Gas, Inc. visit their website at www.wisegasinc.com.
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contents
Fuels Fix Summer 2010
up front editors’ letter
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special features
clean cities coaltions: youtube videos
scuttlebutt
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youtube videos
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bus focus
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social media
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CNG snapshot - Asheville
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CNG focus
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NGV corridor
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alt fuels infosheet
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pix pages
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national focus
clean transportation project
clean cities grants bringing alternative fuels to the forefront
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“other” coalitions meet leaders outside the southeastern region
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clean transportation workshops across the U.S.
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coalition news
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SEPs ready to go supplemental environmental projects
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mississippi
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living green anit-idling devices installed on buses
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alabama workshop clean energy for transportation
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E85 in kentucky thornton’s installs more dispensers
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carolina blue skies millions of gallons displaced
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biofuels corridor tennessee leads effort with I-75
clean cities in mississippi? 26
CNG station south florida ready for public access
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land-of-sky updates increasing the use of alternative fuels
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partnerships what clean cities is all about
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moving ahead middle georgia clean cities
Summer 2010 FuelsFix.com
I-75 biofuels corridor
editors’ letter Two years later & we are still at it! Welcome to our second anniversary issue, which showcases even newer content, including case studies, video links and some articles from coalitions outside the southeast (“The Others”) as we showcase some of our fantastic compatriots that are tackling alternative fuels change in other parts (Ohio and Seattle, to get things started). You’ll find many different alternative fuels discussed in this Summer 2010 issue, but this one has a distinct natural gas (NG) spin to it. We’ve done that for multiple reasons. Number one, there are great NG projects to talk about! Number two, we are very pleased to have a new partner in Wise Gas of Florida. Wise Gas forte is building CNG stations, and we discuss one of their newest creations in the Gold Coast article (on p. 24). You’ll find more than a handful of articles discuss NG goings-on from the southeast, and we couldn’t even fit in some that I wanted to discuss from Tennessee (darn it). You will certainly be hearing more about this fuel as many coalitions are finding the right partners to bring projects closer to fruition. The SE NGV corridor article (on p. 26) is an activity that is generating some of this buzz and push, and coordinators are right there in the mix in the ramp-up of. Also know that are we are hard at work building out on two additional fronts: boosting readership and adding advertising partners. We’ve created some new advertising options and are looking forward to speaking with new potential partners about collaborating, and have several new online venues showcasing the Fix and are at work on more than a handful more. As always we want your input if you have any to throw our way! A good friend often repeats the saying you’ve got two ears and one mouth for a reason. I’m not quite sure what he’s trying to say because I can’t hear him over my talking to him, but we are trying to put that to work here so I’ll sign off to begin working on the open ears part. - Jonathan
THE FIX EDITORS Jonathan Overly East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition jgoverly@utk.edu Chelsea Jenkins Virginia Clean Cities cjenkins@hrccc.org THE FIX MASTER BUILDER Design & Mangement Intern Julie Weitzel
FuelsFix.com The Southeastern Fuels Fix is published quarterly and produced by the DOE Clean Cities coalitions in the southeastern United States. Advertising information may be obtained by visiting the website. All 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.
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chelsea jenkins virginia 1059 angler lane, virginia beach, va 23451 cjenkins@hrccc.org - 757-256-8528 www.hrccc.org
Living Green Replacing a vehicle with any one of the new hybrid or alternative fuel technologies can be expensive. Most buyers are deterred by the fact that they may be making unwanted sacrifices in fuel economy, convenience, and horsepower. While ethanol, biodiesel, electric and hydrogen fueled cars may eventually be the norm, there are now other, less expensive alternatives that can be approached to enhance the efficiency of traditional petroleum fueled vehicles. Installing fuel-efficient devices in traditional gasoline and diesel-operated vehicles is one such method. The benefit is in the potential to save on fuel and have influential impacts on decreasing petroleum consumption while minimizing unwanted sacrifices in cost and performance. Virginia Clean Cities is demonstrating this method by implementing anti-idling devices in school buses in a pilot project with Virginia Beach and Gloucester County, Virginia school systems. The goal of this project is to analyze the effectiveness of fuel operated heaters, which eliminate the need to idle engines, saving about 0.5 to 0.9 gallons of diesel per hour, per bus. Fuel operated heaters are fueled directly from the vehicle’s fuel tank and work by heating the vehicle’s coolant fluid, which circulates around the engine and heats the air
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blown into the passenger compartment. VCC has $50,000 dedicated to this project, which will amount to 25 heaters; 10 in Virginia Beach and 15 in Virginia’s Gloucester County. In all, this project has the potential to save 3,000 to 5,400 gallons of diesel fuel in an eight month period between September 2010 to April of 2011, and correlates to $9,000 to $16,200 in savings based on a diesel fuel price of $3.00 per gallon, and a projected savings of over $25,000 in two years. Not only is this a huge savings in fuel cost for the two school systems, but the elimination of idling will also reduce the dangerous emissions associated with idling diesel engines in school buses. This means cleaner air for the students and bus drivers to breathe. This project is also significant, because depending on its success, it could potentially lead to the more widespread use and awareness of idle reduction technologies and techniques. The leadership of the two school systems could also open the door for many other school systems to follow, like a pebble causing ripples in a pond, and another step toward decreasing our dependence on petroleum.
mark bentley alabama 2131 data office drive, suite 240 birmingham, al 35244 mark@alabamacleanfuels.org - 205-402-2755 www.alabamacleanfuels.org
Clean Energy for Transportation Focus of Alabama Workshop The Deepwater Horizon oil spill has ignited a serious discussion of the future course of energy policy in the United States. In his address from the Oval Office, President Barack Obama made a call for our nation to move from an addiction to fossil fuels to a future fueled by clean, renewable American energy. In the wake of this public call, over a 140 individuals representing businesses, fleets, and governmental entities gathered in Hoover, Alabama on June 24th to discuss the currently available transportation fuel alternatives and technologies that will be a part of this seachange shift in energy policy focus.
The Alternative Fuels Educational Workshop was developed and coordinated by the Renewable Fuels Association, Clean Vehicle Education Foundation, Propane Association, the National Biodiesel Foundation, and the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, a member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program.
Workshop topics covered alternative fuels such as: ethanol, compressed natural gas (CNG), propane, and biodiesel. These alternative fuels are currently available to help reduce the nation’s fossil fuel addiction. Specific areas of information on these fuels ranging from fuel quality, infrastructure, vehicle availability, safety, and current incentives were presented and discussed by nationally and statewide recognized speakers and government officials. The workshop also provided information on advanced technologies that will likely be part of the future movement towards clean energy, provided insight into choosing the right fuel to meet fueling needs, and highlighted funding opportunities to implement alternative motor fuels into personal and public energy consumption. “The workshop was designed to help governmental entities, businesses, fleet operators, and individuals gain knowledge and background on what small steps we can take now to make the transition from oil to a cleaner, less dependent energy future ” said Mark Bentley, executive director of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition.
Nearly a hundred and fifty individuals representing businesses, fleets, and governmental entities gathered in Hoover, Alabama to discuss currently available transportation fuel alternatives and technologies that will be a part of this sea-change shift in energy policy focus. This was the largest single gathering ever in Alabama to learn about all the available alternative fuel options for the transportation sector.
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melissa howell kentucky po box 5174, lexington ky 40255 kycleanfuels@insightbb.com - 502-452-9152 www.kentuckycleanfuels.org
Thornton’s installs more E85 dispensers in Kentucky
Partnerships with Kentucky Corn Growers & Growth Energy make it happen With financial assistance from the Kentucky Corn Growers Association and Growth Energy, an ethanol support organization, Thornton’s will have up to seven E85 dispenser sites in Louisville and another planned for Lexington. In a recent press release from Growth Energy, Thornton’s Chief Executive Officer, Matt Thornton, stated, “We are very excited about the expansion of E85 fuel in our stores. We support the use of ethanol, wherever it is economically available.” Thornton’s reported that they sell, on average, between 3,000 and 5,000 gallons of E85 per month at their current dispenser sites, and demand shifts based on price. When the price spread between E85 and regular unleaded gasoline is greater, more people will fuel up on the E85. The Kentucky Corn Growers Association hopes the increased opportunity to fuel up with E85 will aid in promoting the benefits of the clean-burning, domestic fuel. Thornton’s E85 sites can be found on Fern Valley Road (I65), North Hurstbourne Pkwy (I-64), Lyndon Lane, National Turnpike, and South 3rd Street. Dispenser placement is near completion on Bardstown Road near I-265. Two more locations are ready for dispenser upgrades, and Thornton’s is considering placing E85 there as well. A full list of where to buy E85 in Kentucky can be found on the KCFC website.
Louisville UPS Receives EPA Industry Leadership Award
Also, LaRue County School District will be the first school district in the commonwealth to receive a Hybrid Electric School Bus in Kentucky on July 27, 2010. LaRue Superintendent, Samuel Sanders, will receive the keys of the ThomasBuilt hybrid electric school bus at a ceremony to be held in Louisville. Several more ThomasBuilt hybrid electric buses will be delivered in August and September: • Allen County on August 19 • Pike County on August 24 • Corbin Independent on August 31 • Frankfort Independent and Franklin County on September 1 • Covington Independent on September 3
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UPS was recognized by the EPA for their exceptional efforts to reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality in the Southeastern U.S. Bill Jacob, VP Airline Ground Support Equipment, UPS and Steve Leffin, Corporate Sustainability Manager, UPS accepted the Industry Leadership Award from the Southeast Diesel Collaborative, of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday June 22 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Enabling Our Clean Energy Future Biofuel and Clean Transportation: Fuels, Fluids & Equipment
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[SOUTHEASTERN SCUTTLEBUTT] THREE WORDS... HEAVY DUTY HYBRID. Melissa Howell - Kentucky
We are all witnesses of the environmental impacts of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The time is now to develop stronger policies to promote the use of alternative fuels. Let’s keep embracing new technologies, increasing awareness and making more Eco-friendly choices...we all want a Clean Environment to live in. Diana Mendoza - Florida Gold Coast
This groundbreaking technology will create more valuable co-products, and will allow existing producers to double their biodiesel output. Greg Austic of Piedmont Biofuels talks about the new process of using enzymes to produce biodiesel.
Nashville’s gearing up for the 2010 Tennessee State Fair and CCMT’s making the “green expo” even bigger and better this year…make the trip to Nashville Sept. 9-19. Atha Comiskey - Middle Tennessee
We’re like superheroes, saving the world from oil one AFV at a time. Where are my tights? Captain Planet’s got nothing on me!
After eight years of working on this, I almost cannot believe that we have several opportunities to end up with public CNG stations in East Tennessee. Keep preachin’ T. Boone!! Jonathan Overly - East Tennessee
The oil spill in the gulf has turned into an economic, social, political and environmental disaster! I grew up diving on the beautiful coral reefs in Florida and pray these fragile ecosystems will be spared. We have so many compelling reasons to transition from oil to alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles. Let’s all do our part! Bill Eaker - North Carolina
Andrew Epting - South Carolina
WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY (TO SERVE) AS A MODEL FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.
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We don’t really like to call it a conversion, or even a repower, because ultimately we are providing the customer a brand new engine. Emission Solutions President, Jim Moore, talking about their process of converting engines to natural gas.
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Wise Gas Making a Difference: YouTube Videos
“The Complete Alternative Fuel Solution” 954-636-4291
Jim Hayhurst of Wise Gas introduces South Florida’s First Public Access CNG Station. Learn about the new public CNG station in South Florida. Click here to view.
Jeff Greene of Wise Gas Inc. tells how compressed natural gas (CNG) can improve air quality and cut fuel costs by 1/4 for the next 20 years as the country converts to hydrogen and electric vehicles in Part 5 of a 10 part series from the Panel Discussion On Renewable Energy Today and Energy Saving Technologies held on June 15th, 2010 in Delray Beach, FL by the Boca Council of MoveOn.org in conjunction with Next-Gen-Expo.com. Click here to view.
Clean Cities Coaltions: YouTube Videos
Discover how Colonial Williamsburg uses alternative-fuel vehicles for visitor transportation and maintaining this living-history museum. For more information, visit Virginia Clean Cities. This is a Motorweek Clean Cities Success Story. Click here to view.
Sometimes it seems like it could be really hard to find biofuels to refuels your car. It’s not. Watch and see how easy it is. Visit ETCleanFuels.org to find East Tennessee biofuels stations or http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/locator/stations/ to find stations nationwide. Click here to view. Summer 2010 FuelsFix.com
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Millions of Gallons Displaced: Announcing the Carolina Blue Skies and Green Jobs Initiative Last year, U.S. DOE Secretary Steven Chu and Vice President Joe Biden announced nearly $300 million in Clean Cities grants to support clean vehicles, fuels and infrastructure development. The Triangle J Council of Governments (TJCOG), based near Raleigh, North Carolina, was among the 25 award recipients. The Carolina Blue Skies and Green Jobs Initiative was awarded just over $12 million and was designed to provide support for alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure projects by collaborating with five alternative fuel partners in the Carolinas: Triangle Clean Cities Coalition (TCCC), Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition (CFCC), Land-Of-Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition (LOS-CVC), North Carolina Solar Center, and Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition (PSCFC).
using at least 10 percent locally produced biofuel by 2017, and has recently begun several initiatives to prepare for electric vehicles, including participation in the national Project Get Ready and pioneering other local programs. South Carolina is emerging as a leader in alternative transportation fuel infrastructure, fuel consumption, and fuel production in the southeast. In a state of 4.3 million people, South Carolina utilized 73,000,000 gallons of E85, 498,000 gallons of biodiesel, and 40,000 gallons of CNG in 2008. While significant progress has been made in recent years in
“We are excited to bring this opportunity to our stakeholders. In these tough economic times, it is vital to keep our focus on sustainable practices that will improve our environment and economy,” stated Kathy Boyer, coordinator for Triangle Clean Cities. Carolina Blue Skies will include vehicles and fueling infrastructure for electric, hybridelectric, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), E85, and biodiesel fuels and technologies. It has been estimated that this initiative will displace nearly 3.7 million gallons of petroleum annually after full implementation while creating and preserving jobs and jump-starting local economies in North and South Carolina. Alternative fuel use in North Carolina has grown significantly in the past decade. In 2008 alone, North Carolina Clean Cities stakeholders displaced the following gallon gas equivalents (GGEs): 723,400 gallons from B100; 1,623,975 from E85; 67,803 from CNG; 12,337 from NEVs; 16,271 from HEVs; 399,307 from biodiesel blends (B5 – B50), and 14,361 from LPG. North Carolina formed the NC Biofuels Center with the goal of
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both
Carolinas, there is still more work to be done. This Initiative will expand alternative fuel infrastructure in North Carolina by nearly 30 percent and will increase the number of alternative fuel stations by 20 percent in South Carolina. It will also improve the air quality in both states. Currently,
24 counties in North Carolina are in non-attainment or maintenance for National Ambient Air Quality Standards and, in South Carolina, there will be projects in five of the six counties at risk for non-attainment for ground level ozone. Projects in South Carolina Nine organizations in South Carolina will share more than $4.2 million awarded through the South Carolina Budget and Control Board’s State Energy Office to convert vehicles to run on new fuels and to build the state’s network of alternative vehicle refueling stations. A total of 341 vehicles will be refitted to operate with propane, CNG or hybrid technology. In addition, 68 refueling stations will be built to service these vehicles, most of which will be available for public use, including ethanol, biodiesel, propane and CNG facilities.
“These funds will reduce harmful emissions by promoting the use of alternative vehicles and creating jobs in our state,” Andrew Epting of the South Carolina Energy Office said. Projects in North Carolina Four North Carolina organizations will dispense nearly $7.8 million to 25 recipients over the next four years for alternative fueling infrastructure and alternative fuel vehicles. The TJCOG and North Carolina Solar Center in Raleigh, NC, Land of Sky Council of Governments in Asheville, NC, and Centralina Council of Government in Charlotte, NC will all work to purchase or convert 164 vehicles to run on propane, CNG, biodiesel and hybrid technology. The North Carolina projects will also plan to install 96 alternative fueling stations (including 80 EV charging stations), making biodiesel, propane, electric charging stations, and CNG more available to fleets and customers. By the Numbers • $12,004,175 to AFV/infrastructure development. • 3.7 million gallons of gasoline displaced per year after full implementation. • 300+ jobs created and retained in NC/SC (over 100 with federal funding).
Blue Skies grant recipients gather at the Mobilizing NC Conference on May 26th. Summer 2010 FuelsFix.com
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Clean Cities Awards Bring Alternative Fuels to the Forefront Submitted by Shannon Brescher Shea, Clean Cities Communications Manager Clean Cities has had a very eventful year, to say the least. On February 13, 2009, Congress passed the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, otherwise known as the Recovery Act. Part of this massive investment in our country’s future included $300 million for a Clean Cities Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicle Pilot Program. Serendipitously, this announcement came at the same time that Clean Cities was already planning a solicitation with three areas of interest. The first area of interest focused on infrastructure, the second focused on vehicles, and the third focused on education projects. The Recovery Act, which became the fourth area of interest, encouraged projects that combined all three subjects: infrastructure, vehicles, and outreach/ education. After the Clean Cities team read hundreds of pages of proposals, the Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, announced the selection of 25 Recovery Act awardees on August 26, 2009. Since then, the recipients have been busy transforming their proposals into reality. The partners include national corporations, industry partners, regional fleets, taxi companies, universities, and school districts. These partners are contributing more than $506 million, about 63 percent of the projects’ cost. In total, the projects will displace 40 million gasoline gallon equivalents (GGEs) each year and create more than 9,000 jobs. The same day as the recovery award event, DOE announced 23 awardees under areas of interest 1-3. These awardees received $14.7 million in federal funding and put forward $30.6 million of their own funding. These projects will install or upgrade 182 alternative fuel stations and put 482 alternative fuel vehicles on the road. They will also support more than 100 alternative fuel and fuel economy workshops. Area of Interest 4 (Recovery Act) quick numbers: -More than 9,000 alternative fuel vehicles – heavy, medium and light duty. • LPG 3,017 • CNG 2,578
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• HEVs (hybrid electric) 1,918 • LNG 981 • EVs 519 • HHV (hydraulic hybrid) 55 • PHEV 39 -More than 500 alternative fuel stations to be installed • LPG 249 • CNG 122 • E85 77 • B20/E85 54 • Biodiesel 10 • LNG 9 -Almost 500 electric recharging stations to be installed -1.9 billion pounds CO2 equivalent/year of reductions in greenhouse gases Areas of Interest 1-3 quick numbers: -182 alternative fuel stations • E85 stations 105 • B20 stations 27 • LPG station 26 • CNG stations 20 • B20/E85 stations 3 • LNG station 1 -482 alternative fuel vehicles • CNG 262 • LPG 215 • 5 all-electric extended range with CNG (or H2/CNG blend)
BUS FOCUS Wise Gas Helps Foton in the Southeast
clean cities connections
Taken from Foton America Bus Company, Inc. press release
An agreement has been signed between Foton America Bus Company, Inc. and Wise Gas Holdings, LLC for distribution of Foton America buses across seven states in the Southeastern U.S. “This is an agreement that has been in the works for a while. We have been in talks with Wise Gas for a few years, and all the pieces of the have finally fallen into place,” remarked Jared Schnader, VP of Foton America. “With Wise Gas’s approach to business, and the experience of their sales staff, it makes sense to utilize their talents. They are good people who are strongly motivated,” states Cliff Clare, Jr. CEO of Foton America. Wise Gas is a cutting edge natural gas infrastructure supplier in Florida, and just recently launched a company to specialize in the transport of CNG vehicles across the country. Their approach to CNG infrastructure supply and sale has allowed them to undercut
competitors’ prices while offering excellent service. Beyond the agreement for Wise Gas becoming a distributor for Foton America, there was also an agreement signed between the two companies that names Wise Gas as the preferred CNG supplier for Foton America and its distributors across the US and Canada. “One of the biggest problems with CNG vehicles is the infrastructure. It is a barrier that not all municipalities are willing or able to overcome. By taking the existing pricing models in the market, we have found ways to decrease the cost of the infrastructure, which significantly reduces that barrier. We want to promote domestic fuel at cost that is well below the cost of diesel,” said Jeff Greene, CEO of Wise Gas.
“The Complete Alternative Fuel Solution”
Wise gas offers a variety of services in the CNG industry • Fueling Equipment • Stations • Consulting • Vehicle Sales • And More
954-636-4291 www.wisegasinc.com
Wise Gas has already begun talks with numerous municipalities across Florida to begin switching their fleets to CNG and buying Foton America buses, which cost about $100,000 less than comparable CNG transit buses in the market.
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Coalitions Get On-board They are all really just past toddlership — Twitter is just out of diapers at 4 years old, YouTube is 5 and Facebook is 6. But boy have they changed our ways of communicating! Respectively, they have 100, 300 and 500 millions users. A ton of us are using these tools to communicate, including Clean Cities coalitions in the southeast. We have listed for you the coalitions in the southeast that are using these particular social media tools (there are a lot more!). Please “Like” us on Facebook, or “Follow” us on Twitter!
Coalition Website - “Visit” Alabama....................www.alabamacleanfuels.org Arkansas...................www.arcleancities.org Atlanta......................www.cleancitiesatlanta.net Centralina.................www.4cleanfuels.com East Tennessee..........www.etcleanfuels.org Florida Gold Coast....www.floridagoldcoastcleancities.com Florida Space Coast..www.clean-cities.org Kentucky...................www.kentuckycleanfuels.org Middle Tennessee.....www.tennesseecleanfuels.com Palmetto State.........www.palmettocleanfuels.org Triangle.....................www.trianglecleancities.org Virginia......................www.hrccc.org
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YouTube - “Subscribe” Alabama...................www.youtube.com/alcleanfuels Arkansas...................www.youtube.com/arcleancities East Tennessee.........www.youtube.com/etcleanfuels Virginia......................www.youtube.com/virginiacleancities
Twitter - “Follow” Alabama...................www.twitter.com/alcleanfuels Arkansas...................www.twitter.com/arcleancities East Tennessee.........www.twitter.com/jgoverly Triangle.....................www.twitter.com/trianglealtfuel Virginia......................www.twitter.com/vacleancities
Facebook - “Like” Arkansas..................Click here or search “Arkansas Clean Cities Coalition” Atlanta.....................Click here or search “Clean Cities Atlanta” East Tennessee.........www.facebook.com/ETCleanFuels Kentucky...................Click here or search “Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition” Middle Georgia.........Click here or search “Middle Georgia Clean Cities Coalition” Palmetto State.........Click here or search “Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition” Virginia......................www.facebook.com/VirginiaCleanCities Summer 2010 FuelsFix.com
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CNG Snapshot Asheville’s History
By the Land-of-Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition’s Bill Eaker and Chris Dobbins Stakeholders in the Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition have worked hard over the past five years to expand the infrastructure in the region for natural gas vehicles. Under the leadership of former Fleet Manager Chris Dobbins, the City of Asheville led the effort by securing a $400,000 grant from the North Carolina Division of Air Quality’s Mobile Source Emissions Reduction Grant Program to build the region’s first public access, fastfill CNG station. The station was dedicated on December 1, 2005 and features a 2- hose, 3,600 psi dispenser accepting credit cards for retail sales. The City uses the station to fuel a portion of its fleet including pickups and Honda Civic GX sedans. Mission Hospital Systems, a partner in the grant, uses the station to fuel its fleet of Civic GXs utilized in their medical courier operations. University of North Carolina at Asheville fuels their CNG pickups at the city station as well.
or upgrade six stations across the state including a new public access, fast-fill station in west Asheville. PSNC is also converting a portion of its fleet at this time. These new stations will double the number of CNG stations in the region to four.
The region’s second public access CNG station held its grand opening in south Asheville on July 20, 2007. AltechEco Energy Corporation, a small volume manufacturer of CNG conversion kits and conversion company, built the station. In the past two years, Altech-Eco has secured EPA Certificates of Conformity to convert a number of vehicles including the Ford Focus, Fusion, Transit Connect, F-Series pickups and E-Series Vans. We are very fortunate to have a state-of-the-art conversion facility right here in Asheville!
Certification Services International is a new business in the Asheville area that began operations in October 2009. Specializing in EPA- and CARB-certified CNG conversions for small-volume manufacturers and fleets.
By The Numbers - CNG in Asheville >>>>>>
Henderson County recently secured a Stimulus Grant through the NC Department of Transportation to build a public access, fast-fill station in Hendersonville, NC that will be operational this fall. Both Henderson County and the City of Hendersonville have received grant funds to convert several shuttle buses and dump trucks to CNG. Public Service of NC (PSNC), our natural gas utility, will use Stimulus funds to build
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Top: Bill Eaker and Chris Dobbins, respectively the Land-ofSky Clean Vehicles Coalition coordinator and fleet consultant at the grand opening of the CNG station in the City of Asheville, in 2005. Bottom: a snapshot of the entire station.
Early On
After Grants
1
4
~ 10
~ 70
We partnered with Barry Carr of Homeland Energy to set up our region’s Honda dealership to sell and service the Honda Civic GX dedicated NGV recently. Previously, our stakeholders had to purchase from dealers that are a two hour’s drive from Asheville. With funding from the DOE Clean Cities Program, several stakeholders will purchase or convert an additional 35 vehicles to CNG over the next year. Mountain Mobility, Buncombe County’s community transportation system is using Stimulus funding through NC DOT to convert twelve vans to CNG (along with ten to propane). We have made great progress in the past year for a small metro area. We are working hard together to increase the use of CNG and other alternative fuels in our region. Come visit and drive your NGV!
CNG FOCUS New EPA Rule Change Could Make CNG Vehicles More Affordable By: Jeff Greene, Wise Gas, Inc. With the recent gridlock in the Senate and an economy that is teetering, many have questioned the economics of alternative fuels. Back in 2008, when Wise Gas started, we realized that the Achilles heel of the industry was vehicles. The inability to get the U.S. automakers into the market and the rules prohibiting the less expensive foreign conversion kits from being used in the United States was frustrating. Fast forward to 2010 and there is a tremendous amount of hope for the future. After two long years, the EPA has proposed rule changes that will make the certification process less onerous for older vehicles. The public comment period ended on July 23rd and we are hopeful for publication by October. Wise Gas has embarked on a rigorous testing and evaluation of three foreign kit manufacturers and we are optimistic we will get the cost of a conversion and the availability of a conversion down to the $3000-4000 range that is necessary to make it economically feasible to convert a standard operating vehicle. Even still, with the storage constraints not all vehicles are good candidates. The typical small passenger vehicle will not be able to hold more than 4-5 gallons of CNG. Without sufficient infrastructure this may not work for everyone. Larger passenger vehicles on the other hand can hold 10-25 gallons of CNG and will be able to satisfy the American need for big cars, big range and cheap fuel.
sales of between 12-15 million vehicles per year. Based on those assumptions there are over 240 million vehicles that will qualify for the reduced certification criteria. When the State of Utah disregarded the EPA rules in 2008, thousands of their citizens converted to CNG in a matter of months.
Why are we doing this? Market size. There are roughly 300 million vehicles in the United States and the automakers have reported
Don’t get caught when fuel prices go up! Call today 954-636-4291 or visit our website at www.wisegasinc.com.
It is illogical for the government to charge fees that made the certification more expensive and then offer tax incentives to customers to offset those fees. Wise Gas understands that safety and efficacy are of paramount importance. The EPA requirements are there for a reason and we are committed to making sure that conversions that are done in this country are safe, reliable and effective. If your car or fleet is aging, you don’t have the budget to buy new cars and you are afraid that a spike in fuel prices will kill your budget, give us a call or email to see what we can do for you. CNG in Ft Lauderdale is now available to all that choose to use it for $1.99 per gallon. Soon, Tampa, Orlando, Daytona, Clearwater and Jacksonville will have the same options. Wise Gas is also working throughout the East Coast to provide our equipment and services from New Jersey south to Florida and as far west as Kansas.
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jonathan overly east tennessee 311 conference center bldg, knoxville tn 37996 jgoverly@utk.edu - 865-974-3625 www.etcleanfuels.org
Tennessee Leads Effort for Nation’s 2nd Biofuels Corridor >>> I-75 Several years ago, a group lead by the Indiana Office of Energy & Defense Development and the Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance succeeded in developing I-65 into the nation’s first biofuels corridor. They connected four states and over 887 miles across America’s heartland by adding 31 public stations, mostly in Indiana which stretches a significant distance of I-65. To further develop America’s core, the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition (ETCleanFuels), alongside project parentpartner the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, is currently managing a $1.8 million effort to extend that opportunity further east to I-75 (I-65’s closest major north-south running neighbor). The “I-75 Green Corridor Project” was funded by DOE last year and is attempting to fill in the gaps in I-75 by placing new pumps for E85, B20 or both at select sites. Appropriately intermingled with current, existing biofuel stations, travelers will now be able to traverse any part of the haul from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan all the way to Miami, Florida and run their biofuel during the entire trip. A distance of no greater than 200 miles between refueling points for either biofuel is the project’s ultimate goal. However, the I-75 project is slightly more challenging: I-75 spans over twice the I-65 distance (1,786 miles) and traverses six states, including significant stretches in Michigan and Ohio, and the full-length of the two largest and most populous states in the southeast – Georgia and Florida. The project was initially slated to add 25 pumps, but as the project leader, ETCleanFuels has had some success in increasing that number with no additional funds added to the project (see the table). Clean Cities coalition partners in the project include the Michigan Clean Energy Coalition, Clean Fuels Ohio, Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, Clean Cities-Atlanta, Middle Georgia Clean Cities and the Space Coast and Gold Coast Clean Cities Coalitions in Florida. Other partners include General Motors, the National Biodiesel Board, the Clean Fuels Development Coalition, Protec Fuel Management, Clean Emission Fluids, the Flex Fuel Vehicle Club of America, and the AAA.
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The project is planning to develop a Website to assist interstate travelers in finding not just biofuels but all of the major alternative fuels. In addition to B20 biodiesel and E85 ethanol, natural gas, propane and electricity—
both for light-duty and heavy-duty applications—will be listed. For plug-in electric vehicles, public sites for small cars such as Nissan LEAF and Chevy Volt will be included, as will sites for trucks that can utilize truck stop electrification equipment. The website address will be www.cleanenergycorridor.net, and site visitors will be able to select any major interstate in the U.S.—not just I-75—to locate American fuel stations near the interstate.
“The I-75 project is a very important model program that will help us meet the goals of the Renewable Fuel Standard by providing higher blends of ethanol to FlexFuel Vehicle (FFV) owners. The project delivers on the need for industry and government to partner to provide consumers with choice, convenience, and competition, while addressing their changing moral conscience about using fossil fuels.” Burl Haigwood, Clean Fuels Foundation & Project Director, National FFV Awareness Campaign
Major Partners State MI OH KY TN GA FL
Miles of I-75 396 211 192 162 355 471
B20 3 2 1 2 3 4
E85 0 0 2 1 2 5
Corridor State Energy Offices
ETCleanFuels wrote the I-75 project to take another step in developing the corridor thinking from the inside out: make the center of America biofuels accessible.
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atha comiskey middle tennessee 80 riverpoint pass, nashville, tn 37214 cleancitiesmidtn@comcast.net - 615-884-4908 www.tennesseecleanfuels.com
Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) Ready to Go in Nashville Clean Cities of Middle Tennessee (CCMT) has been working with ASG Renaissance, a Michigan consulting firm, and Argonne National Labs on a pilot Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) program. Meetings were held with environmental attorneys at the Nashville Bar Association, the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation and local school districts explaining the advantages of Clean Cities gathering environmental projects for alleged violators of clean air laws in Middle Tennessee.
nearly 1,700 gallons of fuel (over $5,000 in fuel costs per bus). If implemented, 50 of the Clarksville-Montgomery County’s 300+ school bus fleet will be equipped with Webasto Thermo Top system heaters. The heaters will reduce tailpipe emissions by up to 90 percent at vehicle start up, eliminate unnecessary idling and increase engine performance, which will result in increased fuel economy.
What are SEPs? CCMT recently Most federal actions against completed our businesses’ or individuals’ first Supplemental failure to comply with Environmental environmental laws are Project proposal resolved through settlement for working agreements. As part of a with Clarksvillesettlement, an alleged violator Montgomery County may voluntarily agree to School System. undertake an environmentally If a fine comes beneficial project related to about and the the violation in exchange for project is chosen, mitigation of the penalty to this SEP will be paid. An SEP furthers upgrade (retrofit) EPA’s goal of protecting and school buses with enhancing the public health an aftermarket and environment. auxiliary heater that will be used to Because SEPs are part of an warm up engines enforcement settlement, they Comiskey fills up with biodiesel in Dickson, TN and passenger must meet these certain legal compartments. This requirements: equipment runs off the school bus fuel tank using just one cup of diesel fuel. 1. There must be a relationship between the underlying violation and the human health or environmental benefits This SEP provides valuable public health benefits since that will result from the SEP. children have a higher rate of respiration and take in more 2. An SEP must improve, protect, or reduce risks to public exhaust than adults during the same exposure time. They health or the environment, although in some cases an SEP are more vulnerable to the effects of diesel emissions may, as a secondary matter, also provide the violator with (as their bodies are still developing) which can cause certain benefits. respiratory disease such as bronchitis and exacerbate long- 3. The SEP must be undertaken in settlement of an term conditions such as asthma. enforcement action as a project that the violator is not otherwise legally required to perform. The environmental benefits in providing school buses with this idle and emission reduction product enables the school EPA has set out eight categories of projects that can be district to eliminate one hour of idle per school day (90 acceptable SEPs. To qualify, an SEP must fit into at least school days) and the reduction in particulate matter would one of the following categories: be approximately 18.48 lbs. The district would also save
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1. Public Health: SEPs may include examining residents in a community to determine if anyone has experienced any health problems of the company’s violations. 2. Pollution Prevention: These SEPs involve changes so that the company no longer generates some form of pollution. For example, a company may make its operation more efficient so that it avoids making a hazardous waste along with its product. 3. Pollution Reduction: These SEPs reduce the amount and/or danger presented by some form of pollution, often by providing better treatment and disposal of the pollutant. 4. Environmental Restoration and Protection: These SEPs improve the condition of the land, air or water in the area damaged by the violation. For example, by purchasing land or developing conservation programs for the land, a company could protect a source of drinking water. 5. Emergency Planning and Preparedness: These projects provide assistance to a responsible state or local emergency response or planning entity to enable these organizations to fulfill their obligations under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). Such assistance may include the purchase of computers and/or software, communication systems, chemical emission detection and inactivation equipment, HAZMAT equipment, or training. Cash donations to local or state emergency response organizations are not acceptable to SEPs. 6. Assessments and Audits: A violating company may agree to examine its operations to determine if it is causing any other pollution problems or can run its operations better to avoid violations in the future. These audits go well beyond standard business practice. 7. Environmental Compliance Promotion: These are SEPs in which an alleged violator provides training or technical support to other members of the regulated community to achieve, or go beyond, compliance with applicable environmental requirements. For example, the violator may train other companies on how to comply with the law. 8. Other Types of Projects: Other acceptable SEPs would be those that have environment merit but do not fit within the categories listed above. These types of projects must be fully consistent with all other provisions of the SEP Policy and be approved by EPA.
Clean Cities in Mississippi? Enjoying years of low gas prices and statewide attainment status, Mississippi has casually looked into alternative fuels and vehicles. With rising gas prices and steady air quality standard improvements, the Mississippi Development Authority’s Energy Division decided on a more aggressive approach to the Clean Cities program by hosting an interest meeting in 2009. A steering committee to form a coalition in the state of Mississippi developed from this meeting. Since a number of stakeholders in fuels and transportation visited the first interest meeting to hear Phillip Weidmeyer and Mark Bentley of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, the steering committee has worked to set a mission, starting goals and action steps, state individual commitments towards the goals, and recruit new/potential stakeholders. The steering committee agreed that education and outreach should be the first action steps. In mid-February, the Mississippi Development Authority hosted an informational webinar on behalf of the Clean Cities partnership currently forming in Mississippi. The hour-long session covers vehicle conversions and fuel availability of alternative fuels, propane and natural gas. The webinar is still available online. As our future intentions are to host daylong workshops, this should prove a great start to whet the appetite and draw more future fleet interest. Coalition partners are also making plans to participate in the National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Odyssey Day in October by hosting an event on the Gulf Coast. To be successful, we will continue recruiting partners and improving sources of outreach to cover the state of Mississippi. We hope to evolve our structure to become a more effective tool for the state in the near future.
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An Introduction: The Southeast NGV When Bob Strickland, manager of clean transportation for Alabama Gas Corporation, heard that America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) was helping to organize natural gas vehicle (NGV) corridors throughout the U.S., Bob agreed to head up corridor efforts in Alabama. That quickly evolved into Bob becoming the chairman of the nine-state Southeastern States NGV Corridor Committee. Others quickly joined the effort, and Greg Johnson of Piedmont Natural Gas became the committee’s co-chair, as well as the state coordinator for North Carolina. The group started having conference calls every other week in June and those communications efforts continued. As of July, several additional state coordinators are now on the team, which includes all of the following: Alabama – Bob Strickland, Alabama Gas Corp. (Alagasco) Florida – Keith Gruetzmacher from TECO Georgia – Ian Skelton. Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) North Carolina – Piedmont Natural Gas South Carolina – Gus Chapman, SCE&G Tennessee – Jonathon Overly, East Tennessee Clean Fuels (ETCleanFuels) Strickland says the committee is seeking volunteers to be coordinators for Mississippi, Kentucky, and Virginia. The main purpose of the group is to partner with related industry, utilities, municipalities, Clean Cities coalitions and others across the southeastern U.S. to establish a network of CNG refueling opportunities along major corridors and in urban areas. Other parts of the plan include: • •
Establish a map of strategically placed potential NGV station locations within corridor member states. Seek legislative and political support in order to get states with little or no incentives for
V Corridor Committee • • • • •
NGV station construction to provide such incentives, as well to increase existing incentive amounts. Participate in educational opportunities in population centers (to promote cleaner air and healthier citizens, domestic and abundant aspects of natural gas, green job and economic development opportunities, lower fuel costs, etc.) throughout each corridor member state. Help to establish vehicle conversion facilities, and work with colleges, workforce development groups, etc. that can offer training for mechanics, first responders, etc. Work with Clean Cities coalitions to seek grants or other funding opportunities for CNG station infrastructure development and vehicle growth. Build a team of state coordinators that can promote, coordinate, and oversee efforts to build NGV infrastructure in their particular state. Provide frequent updates of corridor station growth as well as information that can help committee members succeed in getting infrastructure built in their own states.
Several other regions are establishing NGV corridor efforts: 1. 2. 3.
the “Texas Triangle” which consists of installation of CNG refueling infrastructure and fleet vehicle conversions along a triangle of interstate highways that run from San Antonio to Houston (I-10), Houston to Dallas (I-45), and Dallas to San Antonio (I-35); the “Rockies” corridor which will include building stations in Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming; and the “Pennsylvania” (a northeast) corridor which was announced in June.
The committee’s conference calls are held every other Tuesday morning at 11am EDT/10:00am CST. If you are interested in learning more about this effort or becoming a partner, please contact the Committee Chair Bob Strickland via email at bob.strickland@energen.com.
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bob cambric florida - gold coast 3440 hollywood boulevard, suite 140, hollywood fl 33021 bcambric@sfrpc.com - 954-985-4416 sfrpc.com/fgcccc.htm
South Florida ready for a Public Access CNG Station South Florida fleet operators who are ready to make a change from gasoline to compressed natural gas (CNG) can rest assured that CNG will be available to the public very soon. South Florida-based company and Florida Gold Coast Clean Cities’ member Wise Gas is in the final stages of preparing for the opening of Florida’s first public-access CNG Station in over half a decade. The fast-fuel CNG Station located at 650 NW 27th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale between Sunrise Blvd and Broward Blvd, ½ mile west of I-95, will be operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is incorporating a back-up generator program to ensure that the station can function in the event of power loss or a storm. Initially, the station will accept the Wright Express card for payment and pricing of the gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) of compressed natural gas; which is expected to remain 30 to 50 percent less expensive than gasoline. However, a privately branded fuel card will be developed for individual, natural gas vehicle (NGV) owners. To meet the demand of waiting fleet operators eager to refuel their NGV’s, this project has focused on “function before fashion” with an emphasis on a station capable of servicing the customers before adding the finishing touches to make the site attractive. “It is a deviation from our standards on opening a new station,” explained Christine Slager, President of Wise Gas, “We would typically launch a new station with a grand opening and media event to showcase our model. In this case, however, since there currently is not another public access station, we’ve had to modify our project to get the natural gas vehicles access to fuel before we focus on appearance. Our customers come first and right now; our customers need to be able to refuel immediately. A media event and grand opening can wait just a bit longer while we make sure our customers are supported first, after all they are supporting the natural gas vehicle industry with their fuel choice!” There hasn’t been a public access CNG station available to natural gas vehicle owners and fleets in Florida for many years, and as a result, many aspects of this project presented new challenges to overcome. There was a lot of focus on permitting and inspections to ensure that the groundwork for future stations in the area could progress more smoothly.
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“It was a team effort,” added Jeff Greene, Business Development Manager of Wise Gas. “Many resources were pooled to accomplish this project in a fairly short timeframe. We are proud of the way it has come together and appreciate all of the help that has gone into making this possible.” In addition to plans to beautify the site prior to an “official” grand opening event, the company is already working to expand the station’s capacity based on increasing demand from area fleets. “We will be expanding our station rapidly to accommodate the many requests we are receiving from other fleet owners,” said Louis Herring, Wise Gas’ general manager. “We are moving forward to the future with natural gas as an important alternative fuel to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. This will bring a new venue of jobs, businesses and commerce to our cities, state and nation promoting stability and sustainability. We must look at clean energy as the new industry for Florida,” said Commissioner Patricia Asseff (City of Hollywood), chair of the Florida Gold Coast Clean Cities Coalition. For more information visit the Florida Gold Coast Clean Cities Coalition website at www.floridagoldcoastcleancities.com.
First public access CNG Station in Florida during construction
bill eaker north carolina - asheville 339 new leicester highway, suite 140, asheville nc 28806 bill@landofsky.org - 828-251-6622x142 landofsky.org/planning/p_cvc_home.html
Land-of-Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition Updates We are making great strides here in the Asheville, North Carolina metropolitan area toward increasing the use of alternative fueled and advanced technology vehicles. We’ve partnered with three Clean Cities Coalitions and others in North and South Carolina to secure over $12 Million from the US Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program for over 40 alternative fuel projects in the two states. Our coalition secured approximately $2 million of those funds for five separate compressed natural gas (CNG) projects submitted by our stakeholders and to be implemented over the next two years. These five projects include thirty-five CNG vehicles and seven new or expanded CNG fast-fill stations. Our coalition thanks Kathy Boyer of the Triangle Clean Cities Coalition for taking the lead in securing this significant grant on behalf of all the partners.
conversion system converts the E-150, E-250 and E-350 Series vans to run exclusively on CNG. The system is also totally complete and includes manufacturer-rated CNG cylinders with fuel storage capacity starting at 15 gasoline gallon equivalents (GGEs) with an extended option of 30 GGEs and a driving range of 300 to 360 miles, depending on fuel tank size. Altech-Eco, also, has EPA COC’s to convert the Mercury Milan, Ford Focus, Fusion, Transit Connect, and certain F-Series trucks in dedicated and bi-fuel options. Contact Altech-Eco at 828654-8300 or visit www.altecheco.com.
Henderson County held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 15 for the county’s first, and region’s third, public access, fast-fill CNG station. Grant funding for the project is being provided by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Funds were also provided to purchase two CNG shuttle buses operated by the county’s Apple Country Transit. The City of Hendersonville will also utilize the station, which, should be completed by October 2010. County Commission Chairman, Bill Moyer, said at the event, “Converting to CNG is the right thing to do fiscally and Henderson County officials and partners held a ground environmentally. This measure reduces our county’s energy breaking ceremony on June 15 for the County’s first CNG costs. Being energy efficient is an important element of the Station. County’s Energy Plan.” Altech-Eco Corporation of Asheville announced on June 22nd that they have obtained a Certificate of Conformity (COC) from the EPA for their “dedicated” 2010 Ford 5.4L E-Series CNG conversion system. Altech-Eco’s dedicated
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DON’T BE Puget Sound Clean Cities Coaltion (Seattle, WA)
A video explaining explaining how the electric ground support equipment will have a positive impact at Sea-Tac airport loops in the baggage claim area.
Puget Sound Clean Cities Coordinator Stephanie Meyn
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Since their designation in 1998, the Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition (PSCCC) has been making an impact in their area. Though based in Seattle, Washington, the coalition has members in over six surrounding counties including Washington’s most populous King County (2 million). PSCCC works closely with local businesses and leaders, with major coalition sponsors including the City of Seattle, King County, Port of Seattle, and Starbucks Coffee Company. Partners are an integral part of their projects and events, and PSCCC has an excellent track record for developing multi-partner projects. Since receiving a grant of $15 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in December 2009, PSCCC’s coordinator Stephanie Meyn has been working with several dozen partners to use that money to develop several unique projects. Meyn said that the funding allows their coalition to demonstrate that alternative fuel projects can promote environmental health and increase green jobs. Through the use of $5 million of the grant, PSCCC was able to work with their partner the Port of Seattle, owner of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac), to initiate Sea-Tac’s efforts to be the first large airport in the U.S. to fully electrify its fleet of ground support equipment. Electric charging stations are being added for airplane ground support equipment and 600 gas and diesel vehicles are being replaced with electric vehicles and ground support equipment, saving more than 1 million gallons of fuel per year. In addition to the fuel savings, the project is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 12,000 metric tons per year. PSCCC is also using this project to reach the 30 million people that visit the airport each year. They are hoping to increase visitor’s knowledge about how Clean Cites programs are impacting the airport’s operations and how the electric ground support equipment will have a positive impact. This is being accomplished through 30-60 second videos looping at each of Sea-Tac airport’s 16 baggage claim terminals, window clings in six major airplane viewing areas, and signage at taxi stands. Biogas for Buses is another innovative program that PSCCC has started with grant funding. It is a pilot project to fuel buses between Bellingham, WA and Sea-Tac Airport (a distance of 100 miles) using compressed natural gas derived from dairy farm digester biomethane. This is the first project in the U.S. to offer commercial biomethane bus transportation to the public.The biomethane refinery is located in Whatcom County, Washington, which contains one of the largest dairy populations in the nation. The herd at this biomethane refinery could produce over 40,000 gasoline gallons of equivalent (GGE) energy per day and over 15 million GGE per year - enough to fuel 25,000 passenger vehicles at 20 miles per gallon equivalent. PSCCC is also working to convert three commercial buses to natural gas, and install a 100,000 GGE commercial refueling station at Vander Haak Dairy. The remainder of the grant funding is being used to support members of Evergreen Fleets to help purchase alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, develop alternative fuel infrastructure, and implement a green driver training program. Evergreen Fleets is a fleet certification program which provides assistance to fleets to become “green” – and adopt sustainable practices and policies. Through their projects, PSCCC is demonstrating how local innovation and partnerships can advance their region’s adoption of alternative fuels.
OTHERS
*
Clean Fuels Ohio (Columbus, OH) Established as a program of the Columbus Health Department in 1999, Central Ohio Clean Fuels Coalition (COCFC) became an independent nonprofit organization in 2002. That same year, COCFC was designated as a Clean Cities Coalition by the U.S. Department of Energy and received an award for “one of the best (market development) program plans ever received.” In 2005, they changed their name to Clean Fuels Ohio to reflect the growing reach of their programs. After only eight years of being a member of Clean Cities, Clean Fuels Ohio keeps seeing growth and progress. With 11 employees, it has become one of the largest staffed Clean Cities coalitions. Headquartered in Columbus, they work to develop a statewide leadership role in project development, education and policy. Clean Fuels Ohio collaborates with a variety of industries and partnerships. Clean Fuels Ohio has over 100 partners including many nonprofits, local government, and for-profit companies. Some of their partners include AT&T, Columbus Regional Airport Authority, IGS Energy. In 2007, Clean Fuels Ohio was presented with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s Clean Air Award for efforts to improve the air quality in Central Ohio. That same year CFO Executive Director Sam Spofforth received the honor of Clean Cities Coordinator of the Year through the US Department of Energy. Sam Spofforth has served as Executive Director of Clean Fuels Ohio since the organization’s founding in 2002. Under Spofforth’s leadership, Clean Fuels Ohio has become the “go to” resource in Ohio for cleaner fuels, vehicles and energy-saving transportation technologies that reduce climate change, increase American energy security and strengthen Ohio’s economy. Since receiving a grant of $11 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in August 2009, Spofforth and his team have been working to deploy 283 alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles plus refueling infrastructure for 26 government and private sector partners throughout Ohio. As part of the program, Alliance AutoGas will retrofit 77 vehicles, across three Ohio fleets, to run on propane and will install propane refueling sites at each of the fleet bases. Columbus Green Cabs, Yellow Cab of Cleveland, and Ace Taxi of Cleveland will all convert vehicles through Alliance AutoGas. Other projects include the Ohio Green Fleets recognition and technical support program. Through this program dozens of fleet projects related to CNG, biogas, propane, electric, hybrids, biodiesel, E85, anti-idling, diesel retrofits and more have been developed. With over 25 fleets across the state designated as Ohio Green Fleets in it’s first year, it is quickly become a national model that others are looking to emulate. Through their work with their partners, Clean Fuels Ohio is continuing to make their region a cleaner and more environmentally friendly community.
Left: Ohio First Lady Frances Strickland and Sam Spofforth at the event to launch the Ohio Advanced Transportation Project, our Recovery Act grant on February 24.
Right: Attendees at the Clean Fuels Ohio member lunch and tour of The Ohio State University Center for Automotive Research on June 8 of this year.
* This space is being used to introduce coalitions and coordinators that are oustide of the southeastern region. Summer 2010 FuelsFix.com
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Mostly conversions, retrofits, repowers, although OEMs are coming out with more models GEM, Miles, Th!nk, GM Volt, Nissan LEAF, Mitsubishi, Aptera, Tesla, Phoenix, Smith, Navistar Most domestic and some foreign (GM, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan)
Cub Cadet, many other mowers; Roush F series trucks; Blue Bird; LD retrofits common
Low-speed EVs for campus & smaller communites; LD passenger cars; HEV & EV transit and shuttle
Many LD vehicles available as flex-fuel (FFV) capable of running on either E-85 or gasonline
Mowers; airport equip; LD passenger & medium duty trucks; school buses
All diesel engine manufacturers
LD fleet vehicles, buses, MD-HD trucks, LNG appropriate for HD longs distance vehicles
Light duty (LD) and heavy duty (HD) diesel vehicles
Applications Manufacturers
Information from AFDC and other alternative fuels sources. *Subject to fluctuation. These numbers are estimates.
Propane (LPG)
Ethanol (E-85)
Electric (EV) & Hybrid Electic (HEV)
Compressed/ Liquefied Natural Gas (CNG/LNG)
Biodiesel
Fuel Type
Fed tax $0.05 < per gallon
Often less than gasoline
CO 30-35% HC 20-40% NOx 15-99% PM 80-95%
$10-$12,000; often paid for by fuel provider
Use existing infrastructure w/ modifications-e.g. rubber hoses and nozzles to prevent corrosion
20% 10% 18% 35%
CO HC NOx PM
For home and small-med fleets: $2,000-$90,000 Large fleet refueling: $250,000$1,000,000+ LSVs are charged in 110 outlets; Level 2 (220V) and DC Fast Charge (480V) range from $1,500$100,000
90-97% 50-75% 35-60% 90-97%
Easily blended in existing diesel pumps and tanks, although tanks may need cleaning
Potential zero emissions for EVs if solar charged, HEVs offer significant emission reductions over conventional
CO HC NOx PM
B20 B100 CO 12% 48% HC 20% 67% NOx +/-2% 10% PM 12% 47%
Emission Refueling Reductions Infrastructure
cleancities.energy.gov
+$1,000-$10,000, depending on vehicle size (doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t include tax credits!)
10-20% > than pretax 93 octane gas
No incremental cost
E10/E-85 have .053 excise tax reduction
33% less No Fed & State tax
Fed tax $0.11< per GGE
10-25% < than pre-tax wholesale gasoline
Compared to pretax wholesale diesel costs
B20 +$0.03-0.20 B100 +$0.50-1.00
Approximate Fuel Cost*
Range from $6,500 for GEM to $450,000 for Transteq 116 passenger CNG/ hybrid electric bus
From +$3,600 for Honda Civic to +$60,000 for 40 ft CNG/LNG transit bus
No incremental cost
Vehicle Costs*
Alternative Fuel Comparison Infosheet
Need the basics? Here it is. Print me!
Thanks to the Triangle Clean Cities Coaltion who created a similar version years ago. Good job!
bill young florida - space coast 1679 clearlake road, cocoa fl 32922-5703 young@fsec.ucf.edu - 321-638-1443 www.clean-cities.org
Partnerships Across the Country is What Clean Cities is About Western Washington University (WWU) was funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation grant to develop a proofof-concept hybrid bus for the Pacific Northwest transit industry. The initial vehicle will be electric/IC engine hybrid that will allow a range of fuel options based on modular fuel system design approach. Fuels for the IC engine will utilize alternative fuel feedstock’s that are available in the region. Also, WWU is known for building and racing solar cars. WWU has assembled a space age team including National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Kennedy Space Center, Florida Space Institute, Florida Solar Energy Center, Space Coast Clean Cities Coalition and others. Get Ready Central Florida Getting ready is more than a name for the Get Ready Central Florida program. On June 29, 125 Floridians from central Florida and national EV industry representative attended the Get Ready Central Florida Stakeholders Workshop at Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel. There were eight speakers presenting on utility interface, suppliers, charging station, infrastructure and marketing of electric and hybrid vehicle technology, such as GM, Nova Charge, Smart Car, Rocky Mountain Institute, Orange County and others. Stakeholders are making great progress as many new chargers are being installed and more workshops are being planned, such as “EV’s and Code Officials”. Attendees completed a five question survey on EV issues and the results will be available at the next GRCF coalition meeting. Some survey questions were: how far do you drive and do you presently have an EV.
THE MATRIX - PUBLIC ALT FUELS STATIONS IN THE SOUTHEAST State
\
Fuel
B20 & above
CNG
E85
EV
LPG
Totals
Alabama
5
1
12
0
158
176
Arkansas
3
1
9
0
41
54
Florida
10
0
25
3
57
95
Georgia
6
1
28
0
41
76
Kentucky
0
0
12
0
44
56
Mississippi
3
0
3
0
32
38
North Carolina
30
5
12
3
44
94
South Carolina
7
1
79
0
20
107
Tennessee
36
0
33
0
42
111
Virginia
9
4
4
4
38
59
Totals
109
13
217
10
517
866
NOTES FOR THE SUMMER 2010 MATRIX: 1. This is a listing of public stations only. 2. The data was culled from information found on the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) Website at www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/.
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Clean Transportation Education Project: A Team Effort to Deliver Workshops Across the U.S. Submitted by Anne Tazewell and Rob Gierka, NC Solar Center/NC State University At the May 21, 2010 signing of the presidential memorandum on fuel efficiency standards, President Obama remarked, “Our long-term security depends on the development of alternative sources of fuel and new transportation technologies.” To support this effort the NC Solar Center (NCSC) at NC State University and partners have launched the Clean Transportation Education Project (CTEP), a two-year initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to provide 48 alternative fuel and advanced transportation technology workshops across the country. If 48 workshops in 24 months sound ambitious, let me tell you, “It is!” The project’s success relies on the partners involved, each leveraging their efforts to create a dynamic educational opportunity for participants. NCSC has partnered with Wake Technical Community College, Clean Cities coalitions and several industry partners to develop the workshop materials and present these free, half-day workshops—one annually in each of six DOE regions on biodiesel, ethanol, natural gas, propane and fuel economy/ idle reduction. The fuel economy/idle reduction workshop can be designed to encompass a wide range of subjects including: how to green your fleet, electric and hybrid electric vehicles, fuel efficient technologies, and driving practices. The partnership works like this: Clean Cities coordinators host the workshops, make arrangements for the venue and ensure attendance. The NCSC develops electronic invitations, media releases and the agenda in conjunction with the host. A typical workshop includes a 1 to 1½hour presentation by our educational partner Wake Tech Community College instructor Rich Cregar, a master technician with over two decades of alternative fuel experience. Industry representatives provide additional
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Columbia, SC CTEP Biodiesel Workshop 3-23-10
workshop perspectives along with local fleets who are successfully utilizing alternative fuels or efficiency practices. Attendees learn from practical applications of the subject matter including technical information, best practices, policy and future trends of alternative fuels, and advanced transportation technologies. For a schedule of upcoming workshops and more information about the CTEP project, visit www.AltFuelEd org. To get involved as a workshop host, industry partner or regional success story presenter, contact Anne Tazewell at (919) 515-7831 or anne_tazewell@ncsu.edu.
June 3, 2010 vehicle display as part of Kentucky Clean Fuel Coalition’s CTEP Fuel Economy Idle Reduction workshop titled Heavy Duty Hybrid Transportation for Kentucky.
Just Kiddinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;
Copyright 2009 Joel Pett in USA Today. Reprinted by permission.
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charise stephens middle georgia terminal station, 200 cherry street, macon, ga 31201 stephens.charise@macon.ga.us - 478-803-2506 www.mga-cleancities.com/mgcac.htm
Middle Georgia Clean Cities is moving full steam ahead! Charise Stephens has been officially named the coordinator for the Middle Georgia Clean Air Coalition (MGCAC). MGCAC is the only organization that brings together the Middle Georgia community for the purpose of addressing clean air issues and finding ways to reduce the area already included in non-attainment status. She is the day-to-day operational support for the mayors and commission chairmen in the seven-county and thirty-city region. She is also the executive director of MGCCC. MGCCC is the deployment arm of the U.S. Dept of Energy’s highly successful national Clean Cities program. Both organizations are housed at the Georgia Transportation and Environment Center in Macon, GA and work together to leverage resources for a “greener community”. She has been working with both organizations for almost six years and has over 15 years management experience. Among her many other awards and training, she is the first Mother of the Year of Middle Georgia, the creator of the Drive Clean and Green Across Georgia, Clean Cities Kids program and started the first job training program geared toward teaching computer skills to single parents in middle Georgia.
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Updates Central Georgia Technical College is now a National Alternative Fuels Training Center. The only one in Georgia! For more information contact Rebecca Lee – blee@centralgatech.edu (478) 757-3551 at Central Georgia Technical College The National Alternative Fuel Training Consortium (NAFTC) includes: educational institutions, fuel providers, equipment and parts manufacturers; industry, federal and state agencies; and professional, educational and training associations. This consortium operates through a network of national training centers and associate training centers throughout the United States. Thousands of technicians have been trained from hundreds of industry, academic, and governmental organizations. The U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Air Force, Clean Cities Programs, and private fleets are users of training materials from the consortium. Next issue – we will have an update on our “Green Corridor” project! Coordinator’s Note It has been a very busy quarter for our coalition and I want to say thank you to my Board and all our stakeholders! - Charise Stephens
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1 Alabama NAFA chapter members visit Auburn University Gasifier. 2 TV media doing story on Mark McConville and Keith Barfield getting ready to drive CNG powered GTO along Route 66 from Fresno to Chicago. 3 CNG Powered GTO loaded with Extra tanks for Route 66 Trip! 4 Bob Strickland, Alabama Gas Company, showing off new CNG wrap! 5 PHEV Tesla was just one of many Alt Fueled Vehicles at June 24th Workshop in Hoover. 6 Hoover Alabama Mayor Tony Petelos welcoming attendees to the Alternative Fuels Educational Workshop.
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1 This 2010 Freightliner Cascadia was on-hand for the June 18th Derrick Travel Center TSE Grand Opening and Demonstration off of I-85 in Rowan County, North Carolina. The Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition provided grant oversight during this project as well as organized the Grand Opening event. 1 Bill Eaker of Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition test drives an electric scooter at Mobilizing NC Conference May 26 in Raleigh. 2 Coordinator Bill Eaker and the Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition participated in Haywood Community Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Green Business Expo on April 22. 3 Bill and the Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Preston Jacobson at the Expo 1 Charise Stephens interviewing Commander Kill A Watt for an upcoming show. 2 Alternative fuel press conference Pictured: Mayor Robert Reichert, Councilman Tom Ellington, Dr. Linda Smyth, Becky Lee, Mayor Tye Howard, Skip Langely, Charise Stephens and Bill Stembridge.
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CT&T electric vehicle announcement 1 Attendees from CT&T event next to EV vehicles next to the Statehouse. 2 Governor Mark Sanford getting into a CT&T EV that was specialized for the Capital Complex security team. 3 Capital Complex security team standing next to CT&T EV. 4 Clean Cities Coordinator, Erika Myers, in a CT&T EV.
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5 2 ETCleanFuels’ 7th Annual Run for Clean Air was held on April 10, 2010.
350 runners a runnin’. 2 Back massages for weary runners. Kid approved, Terex’s “HyPower” hybrid bucket truck was on-hand for learning about advanced hybrid applications. 4 The Big Dog, Grandmaster Overly, speaks to the masses. 5 Run 2010 Queen Wenny Ng completes her 6-month journey of making the Run a complete success 1 3
For the 4th straight year, ETCleanFuels managed a booth at Knoxville’s Healthy Living Expo. 1 Stoppers-by learn about alternative fuels and vehicles. young man plays a game to learn about clean fuels.
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ETCleanFuels’ big booth at Knoxville’s 2010 EarthFest 1 ETCleanFuels education leader Emily DeVillers runs the kids “wheel of clean air.” 2 In front of a hybrid-FFV Ford Fusion, a volunteer explains the Zappy and how to use it.
ETCleanFuels held our first Propane Mower Show in Blount County in May.
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1-3 In these three pictures, attendees drive and learn about both converted and from-the-OEM commercial propane mowers. Local landscaping company Common Grounds showcased their walk-behind mowers that have already been converted to propane; they are converting 20 mowers.
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