Capital District December 1, 2004

Clean Communities

Capital District Clean Communities

September 23, 2004 Meeting

Meeting Notes

Attendance

Mark Austin, NY Thruway Authority

Patricia Boudreau, Niagra Mohawk

Jeff Brisson, Delta Airlines

Rayna Caldwell, Saratoga Springs Resident

Lawrence D’Arco, NYSDEC

Joe Darling, NYSDOT

Glenn Havens, Cummins Northeast

Steve Iachetta, Albany County Airport Authority

Jerry King, NYS Office of General Services

Mary Marsh, CDTA

Mike Mowahan, NY Thruway Authority

Eileen Redmond, NYS Office of General Services

Deborah Stacey, CDTC Staff, CDCC Coordinator

Robert Steff, NY Thruway Authority

Suna Stone-McMasters—SUNY Cobleskill

Summary Notes

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

1. NYSERDA: SLA transport and NYSERDA resolved issues regarding use of bio-diesel. SLA transport is now using bio-diesel in their truck fleet and anticipates using more than 500,000 gallons in the coming year.

2. USDOE: USDOE announced the 2004 Special Energy projects (SEP) awards. No applications were submitted from entities in the Capital District. The next round will be announced at the end of the year or in early 2005, with proposals due in February or March 2005.

3. Other News:

a. NYS Office of General Services: OGS recently distributed a special edition newsletter, which announced the new public/private partnership with Clean Energy Fuels for operation of CNG fueling stations that are open not only to NYS agencies, but also to the general public. Eight stations in NY are now operating under this partnership; the station at McCarty Avenue in downtown Albany is one of the eight.

b. Glenn Havens from Cummins Northeast reported that Cummins has completed 500 retrofits for school buses, approximately 250 in the Albany area. Cummins will be involved in a second round of retrofits, totaling approximately 300 additional buses.

c. NYSDOT: Joe Darling reported that NYSDOT has completed 10 dump truck conversions and that they are considering 40 more. The next 10 conversions will be distributed across the state, with one in the Capital District. These trucks displace 80-90 percent of typical diesel fuel consumption..

d. SUNY Cobleskill: SUNY Cobleskill is looking for used NEVs. They are also interested in burning bio-diesel in the 15 farm vehicles that they have on-site. There is also a need to replace a 15-passenger van, alternate fuel options are being considered.

e. Albany County Airport Authority: The Authority is operating four CNG shuttle vehicles. The Albany Airport is the only airport in NYS that owns a CNG fueling station and CNG fleet. Steve is looking for hard cost data regarding actual savings by fleet type. These data would be helpful in “selling” the alternate fuel concept to Airport executives and tenants.

f. Saratoga Springs: Rayna Caldwell reported that the Climate Protection Committee in Saratoga Springs is looking at alternative fuels as a technology that would help with air quality in the city. A transportation committee is proposing a park and ride lot that would serve visitors. Shuttle vans would serve the lot. Rayna has suggested that the shuttle vehicles be fueled with CNG. Rayna was successful in reducing all-day bus idling at the race track in the summer. Rayna is investigating the feasibility of organizing an anti-idling campaign in the city.

Next Meeting

This group will meet again on Thursday January 6, 2005 from 10:00 am to noon at CDTC's offices (1 Park Place Main Floor, Albany, NY 12205).