Capital District                                                                                                              August 25, 2006

Clean Communities

 

 

Capital District Clean Communities

August 10, 2006 Meeting

Meeting Notes

 

 

Attendance

Noah Bond, NPB Computers

Pat Boudreau, National Grid

Joanne Coons, Shenendehowa High School

Lawrence D’Arco, NYSDEC

Joe Darling, NYSDOT

David Hutchison, City of Oneonta

Steve Iachetta, Albany County Airport Authority

Linda Keefe, NYSOGS

Jerry King, NYSOGS

Dave Loper, BAF Technologies

Eileen Redmond, NYSOGS

Deborah Stacey, CDTC Staff, CDCC Coordinator

Robert Steff, NY Thruway Authority

 

 

SUMMARY NOTES:

 

1.   NYSERDA: 

 

a.      NYSERDA received sixteen applications (statewide) for the Clean Cities Challenge Grant.  An evaluation committee has been formed.  The committee will meet in mid-August to evaluate the submissions.  Applicants will be notified of their funding status in early fall.

b.     NYSERDA will release a PON for the Clean Air Bus program in the fall. 

c.      NYSERDA will initiate an incentive program that will provide up to $50,000 to retailers to help defray the cost of installing equipment for E-85 and bio-diesel dispensing.

 

2.   USDOE: 

 

a.      USDOE’s Boston regional office closed in June 2006. Mike Scarpino moved to Pittsburgh.  Initially the country was going to be divided into six territories for Clean Cities programs.  Two of the six positions have been cut.  Consequently, Mike’s territory is now quite large.  However, the Northeast is still in Mike’s purview.  

b.     USDOE will announce funding awards under the Clean Cities Transportation Sector Petroleum Reduction Technologies Program within the next month or two.

 

3.    ACAA:

a.      The ACAA received a second VALE grant ($260,000).  Monies granted under the Phase 2 VALE program will be used to retrofit heavy duty diesels with oxidation catalysts and diesel particulate filters.

b.     The ACAA is pursuing solar technologies for the older (1979) section of the terminal.

 

3.   NYSOGS: 

 

a.      OGS has opened a bid for AFV’s.  Hybrids, CNG and flex-fuel vehicles are all on the state contract.  Starting January, the CNG Phill unit will be available on state contract.

b.     Under the Executive Order 142, state agencies and public authorities are required to purchase and utilize biofuels for use in boilers, heating/cooling plants and in their motor vehicle fleets.  OGS has been working on a fuel contract for B5 and expects to have the contract in place shortly.

c.      Ethanol—three ethanol plants will be built in the state. As per Executive order 142, ethanol will be available to the public at the rest area stations along the Thruway by the end of 2007.  Ethanol will be available at the New Baltimore Rest Area by October 1st.

 

4.   OTHER NEWS:

 

a.      City of Oneonta: The city recently joined the Capital District Clean Communities coalition.  The city is interested in learning about new technologies and grant opportunities. The city plans to use bio-diesel in their bus fleet that serves the college campuses and is also considering a bio-diesel manufacturing project.

b.     BAF Technologies: BAF continues to provide the expertise for OEM vehicle conversions.  BAF’s product list is expanding.  The company is marketing an electric launch assist for heavy duty refuse trucks, which will result in a 40% reduction in emissions.  Grant funding is available for this product.

c.      Shenendehowa Central School District:  Shenendehowa just received a hybrid-electric school bus as a demo; they will use and test the bus during the upcoming school year.

d.   Freight Symposium: Jason Purvis from CDTC has organized a freight symposium for Thursday October 5, 2006 at RPI.  One session will be devoted to Clean Fuels/Technology.  Members from the Clean Communities coalition are encouraged to attend and/or exhibit.  The conference fee will be minimal ($25) and lunch will be provided.  The flyer will be emailed to coalition members in the next week or so.

e.      NYSDOT: Joe Darling reported the dual fuel conversion program for the large dump trucks/snowplows is going well.  These vehicles are experiencing a 20-25% increase in fuel efficiency.  The town of Smithtown is requiring the provider of trash services to convert their refuse trucks to CNG.  The public Hauppauge CNG station (operated by Clean Energy under contract with NYSDOT) will have to be expanded to accommodate the fueling needs of the refuse trucks.

f.       NPB Computers: NPB Computers recently joined the District Clean Communities coalition.  NPB has a fleet of four CNG vehicles—three Honda Civics and one heavy-duty truck.  NPB is looking for cost information and options for on-site fueling.

Next Meeting

 

This group will meet again on Thursday November 9, 2006 from 10:00 am to noon at CDTC's offices (1 Park Place Main Floor, Albany, NY 12205).