MEA Biofuels Grant Program Update
The Biofuels Grant Program was developed as a way to
increase the access to and usage of biofuels (E85/biodiesel)
by Maryland consumers by providing funds to support the
installation costs for biofuel refueling infrastructure at
commercial refueling stations. The program has a total of
$100,000 available. The first round ended January 1, 2007
and resulted in two projects being funded. Cato Oil & Gas
will install B20 fueling at two locations in Salisbury which
are expected to result in over 600,000 gallons of annual B20
sales.
MEA issued a second round of Biofuels Infrastructure Grants
on March 1, 2007 and will be accepting applications through
April 1, 2007. The grant can be used to cover 50% of the
costs for installing fueling infrastructure for biodiesel
blends (B20 or higher), E85, or both at publicly accessible
retail stations. A maximum of $12,500 will be awarded if one
fuel (either E85 or biodiesel blend) is installed. A maximum
of $30,000 will be awarded if both fuels are installed.
Facilities who receive this award are still eligible for the
Federal tax credit.
The
program website includes the guidelines and grant
application form.
National Biodiesel Foundation
The National Biodiesel Foundation (NBF), United States
Department of Energy (DOE) and the Maryland Energy
Administration (MEA) are pleased to announce the
availability of $90,000 to award nine (9) cooperative
agreements of up to $10,000 each. The funding is available
to all coalitions. The solicitation will direct funding to
the implementation of educational workshops or key industry
stakeholder meetings that will educate the petroleum
marketers, fleet managers or fuel regulators fuel quality
and ideal management practices to ensure high quality fuel
sales. The deadline for submission of proposals is March 30,
2007. Applications must be submitted electronically to Jill
Hamilton,
jill.sesi@cox.net and be received by 10 pm (EST).
Applicants will be notified of awards no later than April
30, 2007.
Maryland State Government Legislative Update
Lauren Robbins and Chris Rice (MEA Biomass Program
Manager) have an update of relevant legislation being
proposed in the Maryland state legislature.
- Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 – A major
part of this legislation is the proposed 2011 adoption
of the stricter California vehicle emission standards.
The emissions standards have also been adopted by a
number of other states including: Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington. The Baltimore Sun
recently had an
article regarding the bill.
- Currently only General Motors flex-fuel (E85)
products are certified to the California standards, but
it is believed that Ford and DaimlerChrysler products
will also be certified to meet these emissions standards
soon.
- The bill passed by the House and Senate. Governor
O’Malley has pledged to sign it, but has not yet.
- Biodiesel Renewable Fuel Act – There are two
versions of the bill, one forming a Task Force to review
the feasibility of a B2 mandate, the other favoring a B2
mandate followed by a move to B5. There is a lot of
opposition and discussion to come to a compromise for
the level and the timeframe. The American Trucking
Associations (ATA) favor a Federal mandate to ensure
that truckers have access to a consistent fuel
nationwide. This requirement may be incorporated into
the new Farm Bill the revised Renewable Fuel Standard.
- Biodiesel Production Credit – Increases
production credit for biodiesel to $0.30/gallon.
Currently removed the requirement that the fuel meet the
ASTM specification. MEA has worked with legislators to
educate them on the significant need that the fuel meets
the ASTM specification for it to be accepted in the
marketplace.
- Tax Credit for Fuel Efficient Vehicles –
Would give a tax credit to vehicles that met certain
fuel efficiency standards (conventional, electric,
hybrid-electric, etc.). MDOT opposed because there is no
way to use a computer algorithm, using the vehicle
identification number (VIN), to determine whether the
vehicles would meet the requirements, and thus would
require a significant amount of manual work. It would
also take funds from the MDOT’s Transportation Trust
Fund.
- Tax Credit for Electric and Hybrid-Electric
Vehicles – There are two bills that address these
vehicles. MEA is monitoring SB776 where these vehicles
would be eligible for a 10% income tax credit in the
year they were purchased.
Click here for a more detailed discussion on the
proposed Maryland Clean Cities related legislation.
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Update
Volvo Group has introduced a parallel hybrid-electric
drivetrain for refuse that will have up to 35% fuel savings.
Smith Electric Vehicles is developing a 12-ton electric
delivery van for the North American market. The first
pre-production plug-in hybrid-electric school bus prototype
has been delivered. PGE, EPRI, Eaton, and Ford working on a
Class 4-5 Ford F550 based plug-in hybrid-electric utility
trouble truck. Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach release
RFP for replacing old trucks with LNG trucks. Scania transit
buses in Sweden testing ethanol fueled hybrid-electric
buses.
Click here for more detailed information on the new
medium and heavy-duty hybrid vehicles.
Executive Order 13423 Replaces/Revokes Executive Order
13149
The order is entitled “Strengthening Federal
Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management”. The
items focusing on vehicle operations include:
- Each agency must improve the overall energy
efficiency and reduce GHG by 1) 3% annually through the
end of FY2015, or 2) 30% by the end of FY2015. (relative
to a 2003 baseline).
- Fleets with 20 or more vehicles, must 1) decrease
their petroleum usage by 2% annually through FY2015, 2)
increase non-petroleum based fuel consumption by 10%
annually, 3) use plug-in hybrid vehicles when they
become commercially available at a reasonable cost (on
the basis of lifecycle costs)
- Contractors using government vehicles must adhere to
the same requirements as federal employees.
Link:
Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and
Transportation Management
MCC Quarterly Meeting Minutes
The Maryland Environmental Service hosted the Maryland
Clean Cities quarterly meeting on February 22nd. Lauren
Robbins and Chris Rice (MEA Biomass Program Manager) gave an
update on the relevant legislation making its way through
the State House and Senate. Greg Zilberfarb gave an update
on new propane vehicles (pickup truck, medium-duty trucks,
and school buses). Russ Ulrich of the Baltimore Metropolitan
Council discussed the upcoming 9th Annual Clean Commute
Month in May as well as the release of the MEA/BMC sponsored
Baltimore Region Hybrid Bus Tour report.
Click here for the detailed February quarterly
meeting minutes.
Click here for a list of the meeting attendees with
contact information.
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