Governor Announces Plans for a More Sustainable Transportation Fuel System (August 5)
The Governor’s plan outlines several growth areas for improving Maryland’s transportation fuel system and usage to increase the usage and availability of biofuels (such as E85 [corn, then cellulosic when available] and biodiesel), hasten the transition to electric vehicles, and a public awareness campaign to educate people, especially commuters, on the options and benefits (financial and environmental) from commuting options such as carpooling, teleworking, and alternative work schedules. Please follow the link below for the Governor’s complete press release.
Links:
Governor Commits to Replacing Diesel MTA Buses with Hybrid-Electric Buses (July 15)
Governor O’Malley has committed to replacing all the diesel MTA buses with diesel hybrid-electric buses. The interim goal is to replace roughly 500 buses (approximately 75% of the fleet) by 2014. The remainder of the fleet will be replaced with hybrid-electrics by 2018. The MTA has been operating and evaluating 10 hybrid-electric buses to evaluate the buses. The hybrid-electric buses have seen a fuel consumption reduction of 20% (i.e. a 25% fuel economy improvement), a 90% reduction in pollutants, and have seen improved reliability of 6,000 miles between road calls [MBRC] for the hybrid-electric buses compared to 3,300 MBRC for the conventional diesel buses.
Links:
Transportation Grant Program – Applications Due October 15
The goal of this program is to aid in the development of a cleaner and more efficient transportation system in Maryland. This program will make awards for projects in the following three categories;
- Biofuels including renewable liquid or gaseous fuels
- Electric transportation
- Consumer behavior modification
In this program biofuels are defined as; E85 and biodiesel (minimum blends of B20). Fuels must meet ASTM specifications. E85 is an 85 percent ethanol blended gasoline fuel, and B20 is a 20 percent soybean (or other renewable feedstock) oil blended diesel fuel. Renewable liquid or gaseous fuels could include but are not limited to butanol, hydrogen and ammonia. Electric transportation is defined as; plug-in electric hybrid vehicles and equipment, all electric vehicles and equipment, heavy duty hybrid vehicles with associated equipment and idle reduction equipment powered by electricity.
Grant awards will range from $2,000 to $100,000.
For a full grant program description and for the application form, please see http://www.energy.state.md.us/incentives/transportation/index.asp
Federal News
- U.S. EPA Warns Against Using Blends Higher Than E10 in Non-FFV Vehicles (July 31) - In a letter dated 7/31/2008, the U.S. EPA warns retailers not to sell blends higher than E10 to non-flex fuel vehicles. This instance was specifically related to E30 fuel blends. The letter recommends using warning labels and pump locks to prevent drivers from using the higher blends of ethanol appropriately.
- U.S. EPA Rejects Texas Requestto Waive a Portion of the Renewable Fuel Standard (August 7) – EPA Administrator Johnsonstated Texas Governor Perry’s request to reduce the biofuel volumes required by the RFS by 50% had not proved that the RFS was causing severe economic harm during the time period specified in the waiver request, a requirement that was needed to justify the waiver request.
- General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler LLC Seek $50 Billion in Government Backed Loans (August 21) – The Big 3 met and determined that they would need $40 billion to get them through the tough times being experienced from the dramatic shift in vehicle purchasing brought on by high fuel costs. Lobbyists for the automotive industry briefed Congress on the situation and request. The plan will likely take the form of low-interest rate (4.5%, or roughly 1/3 of the typical borrowing rate) loans of $25 billion in the first year with the potential for a second round of $25 billion in the second year. The government would have the option to defer payments for up to five years. The plan is expected to be released next month with the hope of having it in place by the end of the year.
2008 National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Odyssey Day
National Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Day Odyssey is a biennial celebration dedicated to promoting AFVs and advanced technology and energy-efficient vehicles organized by the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) headquartered at West Virginia University. This year's exciting event will take place on several days in Maryland and the metropolitan Washington DC area between September 20th and October 3rd partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Program in celebration of its 15-year anniversary, and is expected to attract over 50,000 attendees and reach over 50 million individuals through media coverage. The event focuses on increasing the education and public awareness that is necessary to further develop the alternative transportation technologies, lessen our dependence on foreign oil, and support the manufacturers that are making these vehicles a viable option for individuals everywhere. With everyone joining together on one day, working toward the same goals, we compound our individual efforts to make the same bold statement... Together, We Can Make a Difference.
For more information, visit: www.nationalafvdayodyssey.org/
Events in the Maryland and the Metropolitan Washington DC area:
- Maryland
- Washington DC
- When: Tuesday, September 30, 9AM – 1PM
- Where: U.S. DOE-Headquarters, North Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, Washington, DC 20585-0121
- What: Event includes an alternative fuel vehicle display and exhibits, invited speakers including U.S. Department of Energy officials, Clean Cities Program leaders, Clean Cities stakeholders, and the National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Odyssey Day, as well as a tentatively planned AFV Ride-n-Drive.
- Contact: Barb Wolfe, 410-343-0363, bwolfe@nwttech.com
- Virginia
- When: Saturday, September 20
- Where: Northern Virginia Community College- Alexandria Campus, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311
- What: Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) will host an Odyssey 2008 event at its Alexandria Campus on Saturday, September 20, 2008. This event is scheduled a couple weeks earlier than the national Odyssey 2008 activities in alignment with a campus-based community fall festival. Several area new-car dealerships will show the latest popular alternative fueled vehicles along with anticipated corporate exhibits by General Motors and Volkswagen. Plug-in and CNG powered vehicles will also be on display in an attempt to educate the public about alternatives to gasoline powered automobiles. The public will be free to “kick the tires,” look under the hoods, and speak to the owners or representatives of the automobiles on display. A bio-diesel fuel processor will be on display along with training aids from alternative fuel vehicles. Educational and promotional material regarding alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles will also be available. NOVA’s new alternative fuels instructor will be on hand and national politicians have been invited to attend this event conveniently located near our nation’s capitol. The Alexandria Campus is located at 3001 North Beauregard Street just off the Rt. 395 exit at Seminary Road. The event will take place from 11 AM until 3 PM, with set-up starting as early as 8:30 AM. To learn how you can be a part of this exciting public outreach opportunity, please contact Heather Neikirk at 703.323.2357.
- Contact: Milan Hayward, (703) 323-2263, mhayward@nvcc.edu
AFVi Webinar “Cheaper by the Gallon: Natural Gas Fueling Fleet Transportation Needs” – September 16 – 1:30PM EST
The webinar is designed for fleets looking for clean, affordable, alternatively fueled medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Participants will learn what is driving market interest in natural gas as a vehicular fuel, the per gallon cost benefits, government incentives, emissions performance over diesel and gasoline, and a preview of vehicles available to order today. There will also be a question and answer period at the end of the webinar.
Registration is free, but is limited to the first 250 people. You must register, at http://www.afvi.org/webinar080916.html, to participate. AFVi posts past webinars on their website so you can view the recorded webinar; http://www.afvi.org/webinars.html.
Summary – August 14 - Virginia Clean Cities and Hampton Roads Clean Cities Coalition 2008 Natural Gas Vehicle Workshop
The Compelling Case for Natural Gas Vehicles Conference held at William and Mary was a great opportunity for municipal leaders, fleet owners, and industry partners to come together and learn about all of the new developments that are taking place in the area of alternative fuels. The conference, hosted by Clean Cities, focused on environmental benefits, energy security, and economic advantages that come from using natural gas as a transportation fuel. The presentations addressed aspects such as how to size a station and which vehicles can run on natural gas as well as available grants, station economics and fuel savings.
Click here for the complete workshop presentation
Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Update
A detailed compilation of relevant alternative fuel, hybrid-electric, emissions reduction and other fuel efficiency improvement news in light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles.
Click here for the detailed list
Stakeholder Accomplishment Stories
As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, Maryland Clean Cities wants to highlight the successes and challenges of one of the coalition stakeholder each month. This gives stakeholders an opportunity to gain some recognition for the work they are doing to promote alternative fuels in their fleet and to potentially help fellow stakeholders who may be going through similar struggles.
Stakeholder News Updates
Please forward information to Chris Rice (crice@energy.state.md.us) for your story, accomplishments, or announcements to be included in future newsletters.
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