Capital District July 16, 2004

Clean Communities

Capital District Clean Communities

June 10, 2004 Meeting

Meeting Notes

Attendance

Lawrence D’Arco, NYSDEC

Joe Darling, NYSDOT

Glenn Havens, Cummins Northeast

Mary Marsh, CDTA

Carina Ramirez—Biodiesel Technologies

Mike Scarpino-USDOE

Deborah Stacey, CDTC Staff, CDCC Coordinator

Robert Steff, NY Thruway Authority

Suna Stone-McMasters—SUNY Cobleskill

Ted Thompson, NYSDOT Region 1

Summary Notes

Deborah Stacey opened the meeting with introductions. Ms. Stacey initiated discussion on each agenda item:

1. NYSERDA: NYSERDA is reviewing the proposals they received for Clean Cities Challenge Round VI grants. NYSERDA did not receive any applications from agencies or businesses located in the Capital District.

Implementation of Clean Cities Challenge V projects is going well, with the exception of the two bio-diesel projects submitted from businesses in the Capital District. The Albany County Airport Authority has some maintenance issues to resolve before they switch to bio-diesel. SLA transport has uncovered an internal policy issue that might prevent them from purchasing the bio-diesel. NYSERDA is working with both entities and hopes to come to some resolution.

NYSERDA will make awards on the last round of the NYS Clean Fuel Bus program soon. A hybrid bus purchasing consortium with ten member transit fleets (in NYS) has been formed.

2. USDOE: Mike Scarpino gave a short presentation on the “reinvented” Clean Cities program. Clean Cities will not only focus on alternative fuels, but also on fuel blends, hybrid vehicles, fuel economy and idle reduction. USDOE is currently evaluating the most recent Special Energy projects (SEP) applications. NYSDOT submitted a proposal for funding for additional dual fuel CNG snowplows and dump trucks. If awarded, these trucks will be deployed on Long Island.

3. Other News:

a. NYS Thruway Authority: The Thruway Authority has the infrastructure for ethanol in Albany and Syracuse, but cannot get the fuel. The governor has a personal interest in ethanol.

b. Glenn Havens from Cummins Northeast reported that Cummins is promoting an auxiliary power unit for new trucks that will enable truckers to idle less (or not at all) at truck stops. Cummins is in the middle of the installation program for retrofits for school buses. Cummins will be involved in a recycling show next week in Albany.

c. NYSDOT: Joe Darling reported that the DOT CNG fleet is saving NYSDOT about 50% in maintenance costs and 20-30 cents per gallon in fueling costs. Joe is working on a start-up program (in partnership with Clean Energy and Bachman) to implement a leasing program for older (5 years +) DOT CNG vehicles to the public. Joe suggested that Bachman and Clean Energy should join the Capital District Clean Communities coalition. Deb Stacey will follow-up on this suggestion. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony to formally announce the State’s innovative partnership with Clean energy fuels at the McCarthy Avenue Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Station on June 23, 2004 at 11:00am.

Ted Thompson reported that the department is looking at the Schodack rest area on I-90 for the next installation of truck stop electrification hardware.

d. SUNY Cobleskill: Suna Stone-McMasters reported that the president of the college is interested in purchasing NEV’s for use on campus. SUNY Cobleskill has 80 vans and pick-ups. The campus has a John Deere school; the school is interested in purchasing bio-diesel. Deb Stacey will forward relevant information to Suna so SUNY can follow-up on some of these projects.

Next Meeting

This group will meet again on Thursday September 23, 2004 from 10:00 am to noon at CDTC's offices (1 Park Place Main Floor, Albany, NY 12205).