Capital District                                                                                                              May 8, 2006

Clean Communities

 

 

Capital District Clean Communities

May 4, 2006 Meeting

Meeting Notes

 

 

Attendance

 

Patrick Bolton, NYSERDA

David Christopher, Shenendehowa Central School District

Greg Cuda, Saratoga ARC

Lawrence D’Arco, NYSDEC

Joe Darling, NYSDOT

Glenn Havens, Cummins Northeast

Steve Iachetta, Albany County Airport Authority

Jerry King, NYSOGS

Deborah Stacey, CDTC Staff, CDCC Coordinator

Robert Steff, NY Thruway Authority

Ted Thompson, NYSDOT R-1

 

 

SUMMARY NOTES:

 

1.   NYSERDA: 

 

a.      NYSERDA released the Project Opportunity Notice (PON) for the Clean Cities Challenge Grant.  Grant Applications are due July 6, 2006.  The program will fund:

·       the incremental cost of leasing new light, medium or heavy duty alternative fueled vehicles

·       the incremental cost of converting medium and heavy duty vehicles to alternative fuels

·       the costs of purchasing and installing fueling and recharging equipment

·       costs associated with bulk storage, handling and blending equipment for renewable fuels such as E85 and B100 (maximum funding 50%)

 

b.     NYSERDA will release a PON for the Clean Air Bus program in the fall.  It is possible that NYSERDA will fund a second demo for a Block Heater Control System similar to the system that Brown Coach installed.  NYSERDA is looking toward a commercial roll-out of this technology after the second demo.

 

2.   USDOE: 

 

a.      USDOE’s Boston regional office is closing in June 2006. Mike Scarpino is moving to Pittsburgh and will have a much larger territory than he did previously.

b.     USDOE released the funding opportunity notice under the Clean Cities Transportation Sector Petroleum Reduction Technologies Program.  Grant Applications are due June 8, 2006.  The program will fund:

·       Refueling Infrastructure for E85 and Other Alternative Fuels

·       The Incremental Cost of Alternative Fuel Vehicles

·       Idle Reduction training and Awareness for school districts

c.      The budget for this funding opportunity has been greatly reduced.  About $4 million is available nationwide.

d.     The national Clean Cities Expo is scheduled for May 7-10th in Phoenix, Arizona.

 

3.    ACAA:

a.      Monies granted under the Phase 1 VALE program are being used to electrify baggage tugs, to expand the CNG fueling facility and to replace two diesel parking lot shuttles with CNG shuttles.

b.     Monies granted under the Phase 2 VALE program will be used to retrofit heavy duty diesels with oxidation catalysts and diesel particulate filters.

c.      Southwest Airlines has just committed to using B-20 on all of their tugs.  Southwest has installed a tank; Accent (from Syracuse) will be their fuel provider.

d.     The airport is adding generators for all buildings and is expanding their jet fuel supply to a 2 ½ day reserve (approximately 400,000 gallons)

 

3.   NYSOGS: 

 

a.      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.

b.     Ethanol—two ethanol plants will be built in the state. The Governor has requested that the Thruway make ethanol available to the public at the rest area stations.

 

4.   OTHER NEWS:

 

a.      Sprague Energy: Sprague has two 20,000 gallon B100 storage tanks at the Port of Albany. Sprague blends at the rack.  NYS purchased the first supply out of the Port.  Currently the incremental cost of B20 is about $1.50.

b.     NYSTA: The Ethanol station at Exit 23 is open.  The Thruway is moving forward with plans to install public E-85 pumps at all rest areas along the Thruway.

c.      Tour de Sol:  The Tour de Sol will be held May 10-14th.  The first event is scheduled for Thursday May 11th at the Saratoga Technology and Energy Park in Malta.  This event will feature 40 exhibitors. Speakers from NYSERDA, OGS and DEC are also scheduled.  School Day events are scheduled at the Saratoga Spa on Friday May 11th and Saturday will feature Exhibits and the Antique Car Show in the park.

d.   Freight Task Force: Jason Purvis from CDTC is organizing a freight conference 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.

e.      NYSDOT: Ted Thompson reported that the ShorePower Truckstop electrification equipment at the Northway Exit 16 Truckstop is no longer in operation.  Only trucks fitted or retrofitted for the ShorePower System could utilize the equipment at Exit 16. Negotiations are underway with Idle Aire to install equipment at this stop.  The Idle Aire technology does not require a pre-existing infrastructure (on the trucks).  On a separate note, Ted announced that he will be retiring from NYSDOT in July of this year.

Joe Darling reported that LNG legislation might be enacted this year which would eliminate the restrictions for LNG use in the transportation sector.  The dual fuel conversion program for the large dump trucks/snowplows is going well.  Joe is interested in applying for funds to convert additional dump trucks/plows for use in the Capital District.

Next Meeting

 

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