Quarterly Meeting Summary
The coalition held a quarterly meeting at MEA on October 24th, 2007 to update stakeholders on current legislation, the newly formed Climate Change Commission looking at low-carbon fuels, as well as several grant programs.
Click here for the detailed meeting notes
Maryland Energy Administration Terminal Infrastructure Grant Reopened for a Second Round
The Terminal Infrastructure Grant Program is one way to increase the access to and usage of biofuels by Maryland consumers. The intent of the program is to make awards for the installation of ASTM specification biodiesel infrastructure at fueling terminals in Maryland. The equipment purchased and installed for biodiesel infrastructure at a terminal should be compatible with biodiesel. Awards for the first round of submissions are being finalized.
As mentioned in the last newsletter, additional Terminal Infrastructure Program funding is available, so MEA has decided to reopen the grant program. Details regarding the opening date, closing date and available funding are available on the website.
Biofuels Grant Program Awardees and Reopening of Grant Funding Program
The program makes awards for the installation of ethanol and biodiesel refueling infrastructure at commercial refueling stations. An additional $50,000 of funding has been made available through the Biofuels Grant Program. The grant amount is for $12,500 for a station installing either biodiesel blends (B20 or above) or E85. If both E85 and biodiesel blends are installed at the same location, the grant is for $15,000. Details regarding the opening date, closing date are available on the website.
Underwriters Laboratory Announces Certification Requirements for E85 Dispensers
(October 16, 2007) The UL’s concern was that there could potentially be material compatibility safety issues when using fuel dispensers designed to pump petroleum (i.e. gasoline and diesel) fuels. High percentage alcohol fuels blends, such as E85. The investigation showed that many materials in petroleum fuel dispensing pumps perform adequately; there were some materials that “experienced significant deterioration during research tests. The new safety requirements address these material compatibility findings”. For more details, please see the links below.
U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) Funding Available through the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board
Russ Ulrich mentioned that the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board will be managing the application, award, and management of Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program funding in Maryland for the first time. CMAQ provides funding for projects and programs that reduce air pollution emissions (oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter) from the transportation sector.
The website http://www.baltometro.org/content/view/922 has information on the program requirements and application instructions. The website also has details on an Application Workshop being held in Baltimore on November 14th.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, Mid Atlantic Diesel Collaborative – Port Sector Demonstration Project RFP
“Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country. Even with more stringent heavy-duty highway and nonroad engine standards set to take effect over the next decade, millions of diesel engines already in use will continue to emit large amounts of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and air toxics, which contribute to serious public health problems. These problems cause thousands of premature deaths, hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks, millions of lost work days, and have numerous other health impacts every year.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting proposals to fund marine port demonstration projects within the District of Columbia and the states of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Projects may address, but are not limited to, a variety of emissions reductions solutions such as: add-on technology, engine replacement or rebuilds, and idle reduction technologies or strategies; data gathering to provide a refined baseline from which to create and implement emission reduction strategies and track progress over time; international sustainable ports and carrier partnerships to research, demonstrate and test new and innovative technologies for port environmental management as well as create an ongoing dialogue to share best practices.
Under this announcement, EPA seeks proposals that demonstrate the environmental and economic effectiveness of innovative approaches to assess and reduce emissions from intermodal transportation including cargo handling equipment, ships, tugs, ferries, locomotives (especially short-haul and switchers), barges, cranes, stationary sources of diesel pollution, and special–purpose trucks servicing marine ports.” (Text taken from EPA webpage)
Applications are due December 7, 2007 by 6PM (EST). $750,000 is available and will be distributed to between 1 and 7 projects, with a minimum project size of $100,000.
Federal Legislative Update
EPA and GHG Legislation
The EPA is working on GHG regulations covering the Alternative Fuel Standard and GHGs from LDVs (essentially fuel economy). The EPA is expected a release a notice of proposed rulemaking around November 2007, with a final rule by the end of 2008.
On September 13th, the Federal District Court in Vermont decided that states can adopt the California regulations for GHGs, if California is granted a waiver by EPA. The EPA has indicated it will not make a decision on the waiver until at least December 2007.
Climate Bill Seen as a Sign of a Political Shift
A bill (S.2191) formally known as America's Climate Security Act (known informally as the Lieberman- Warner Bill) was approved in an Environment and Public Works subcommittee vote 4 to 3, so will now be debated in the full committee. The bill is different from similar earlier efforts because of its details on how a U.S. plan to cap carbon emissions and trade credits for them would work. The bill would also commit to reducing emissions to 70% below 2005 levels by 2050. The bill, however, only deals with 75% of US emissions.
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
2008 Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicle Availability
The attached file from NREL is a table listing the light-duty alternative fuel, hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles available in the 2008 model year.
Click here (PDF) for the detailed list
Stakeholder News Updates
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