Capital District
Clean Communities
Capital District Clean Communities
December 11, 2003 Meeting
Meeting Notes
Attendance
Patrick Bolton, NYSERDA
Pat Boudreau, Niagra Mohawk
Rayna Caldwell,
Christian Fleisher, Biodiesel Technologies
Glenn Havens, Cummins Northeast
Steve Iachetta,
Mary Marsh, CDTA
Joe Rich, FHWA
Carol Rodino, NY Power Authority
Deborah Stacey, CDTC Staff, CDCC Coordinator
Robert Steff, NY Thruway Authority
Ted Thompson, NYSDOT Region 1
Summary Notes
Deborah Stacey opened the meeting with introductions. Ms. Stacey initiated discussion on each agenda item:
1. Presentation on CMAQ: Joe Rich from FHWA provided information to the meeting attendees regarding the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding source that is available in the Capital District. The Capital District receives CMAQ funds because it is designated as a marginal non-attainment area for ozone. The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), in this case, CDTC, programs these funds as part of the Transportation Improvement Program update, which occurs every other year. CMAQ funds can be used for projects that are designed to reduce emissions and congestion. The Capital Region received 6.1 million dollars in CMAQ during FFY 2002. CMAQ can fund AFV’s, including hybrids. CMAQ dollars cannot be used to fund fuel projects. For example, CMAQ cannot be used to purchase bio-diesel, since bio-diesel use does not require a mechanical change to the truck. If an AFV will be publicly owned, CMAQ will cover 80% of the cost of the vehicle. If the AFV will be privately owned, CMAQ will fund 80% of the incremental cost of the vehicle.
2. NYSERDA: NYSERDA announced that the Clean Cities Challenge Round VI grant application and guidelines will be released in mid January. Monies awarded under this program can be used to fund up to 75% of the incremental cost of light-duty dedicated alternate fuel vehicles, up to 75% of the incremental cost or the cost to retrofit medium/heavy duty vehicles to dual fuel and up to 75% of the cost of fueling infrastructure. One change from round V is related to bio-diesel. The Clean Cities Challenge monies willl no longer fund the incremental cost of bio-diesel, since the price fluctuates widely. However, the grant monies can be used to help fund the production of bio-diesel, which will aid in keeping the availability of bio-diesel high, and the cost reasonable. NYSERDA will also be releasing another grant opportunity for the clean fuel bus program. Monies awarded under this program will be available to aid in funding the incremental cost of hybrid and natural gas buses.
3.
USDOE: The
Clean Cities Regional Coordinator’s meeting was held in
The four additional focus areas are: 1. Wider use of alternate fuel blends, including bio-diesel 2. Truck idle reduction programs 3. Greater market penetration of hybrids and 4. Fuel economy. This transforms Clean Cities into a technology neutral program that will allow for tailoring of local activities to maximize oil import reductions and local air quality benefits.
The new Clean cities directive addressed the issue of whether Clean Cities should focus on efforts to reduce vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) as part of the expanded portfolio. The answer was that the national Clean Cities program will stay focused on the five technologies listed above, but that it may be appropriate for local coalitions to pursue VMT reduction activities where they could have significant impact. CDTC, as the MPO for the region has implemented tow Transportation Demand Management pilot programs (using CMAQ funds) in the area, which have been highly successful in reducing VMT and attendant emissions, fuel use and congestion. The first pilot was implemented in June 2001, and to date has reduced over a million vehicle-miles-traveled, 460 tons of pollutants and 45,000 gallons of gasoline.
A second pilot program was initiated in October of this year. This program, called “Commuter Ca$h” (www.commutercash.info) provides $20 discounts for monthly CDTA Swiper passes and weekly private carrier commuter books to employees located in the footprint of the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (DABID). This pilot was developed with the goal of increasing private employer participation in providing transit subsidies or discounts rather than parking to their employees.
4. Other Business:
a. NYS Thruway Authority: The ethanol
station in
b. Rayna Caldwell reported that she will
be creating a transportation sub-committee as part of the City of
c. Glenn Havens from Cummins Northeast reported that Cummins is working on a school bus project that will decrease particulates. Cummins is installing diesel oxidation catalysts on 1000 school buses statewide, including 300 in the Capital District.
d. Christian Fleisher introduced himself. He is the CEO for Biodiesel Technologies, a local firm that produces bio-diesel. Currently, their technology can produce 300 gallons of bio-diesel per hour.
e. NYSDOT: The new CNG station is on-line
in
This group will meet again on