Capital District                                                                                                            July 22, 2007

Clean Communities

 

 

Capital District Clean Communities

June 14, 2007 Meeting

Meeting Notes

 

Attendance

David Ardman, Barton & Loguidice, P.L.

Pat Boudreau, National Grid

Mike Connors, Albany County Comptrollers Office

Lawrence D’Arco, NYSDEC

Kristin Devoe, Albany County Comptrollers Office

Glenn Havens, Cummins NE

Ray Melleady, CDTA

Paul Patterson, City of Oneonta

Pete Rea, NYSDOT R-1

Nelson Ronsvalle, Town of Halfmoon

Deborah Stacey, CDTC Staff, CDCC Coordinator

Mike Wise, NYS Parks

 

 

SUMMARY NOTES:

 

1.    NYSERDA:

a.      With the help of NYSERDA, Campus Mobil, owned by Christian King, just opened an Ethanol Pump to the public.  Mike Connors fuels at the station and reported that the interest for ethanol is strong.  Christian is the owner/operator of a second station in Warrensburg off exit 23 of the Northway.  Ethanol will be made available at that station as well.  Christian King has been invited to join the Clean Communities coalition.  .

b.     NYSERDA has formed a working committee to address UL concerns as they relate to Ethanol Fueling.  The issues are getting resolved one by one. 

 

2.   NYSOGS: 

a.      OGS has placed brochures on their website that explain ethanol and bio-diesel.  The renewal for the bio-fuel contract is scheduled for the end of July.

 

3.   NYSOPRHP

a.      Michael Wise reported that the NYS Parks department is using B-5 in all diesel equipment across the state, and a B-20 blend at the Saratoga State park.  180,000 gallons of bio-fuel is used in Parks equipment statewide.  Two CNG Honda Civics and Phill refuelers will be designated to the Park managers at the Saratoga State Park shortly.  650 electric vehicles are used in the state parks, 70 in the Capital District.

b.     NYSOPRHP and NYSERDA are working with a local company called Elecrovaya on battery technology for commercial mowers and other portable equipment that is typically fueled with gasoline and diesel engines.  Electrovaya also has a contract with NYSERDA to develop and demonstrate a “plug- in hybrid” concept using the Ford Escape Hybrid vehicle.  Electrovaya will move to NYSERDA’s STEP facility by the end of the year.  Deb Stacey will try to recruit Electrovaya to become a Clean Communities coalition participant and will try to schedule a future Clean Communities meeting at the Electrovaya site.

 

4.     CDTA 

a.      Ray Mealleady reported that CDTA ordered 22 replacement buses this year, six are hybrid electrics.  The ribbon cutting for the hybrid-electric vehicles will be held on Monday June 18th at CDTA’s Albany Garage.  CDTA plans to order 23 Hybrid-electric buses next year; one will be an over-the-road coach and tested on the NX service area (Commuter runs from Saratoga County to downtown Albany)

b.     CDTA is investigating the price and feasibility of using bio-diesel in their fleet.  CDTA will likely submit a grant application under the USDOE 2007 Northeast Diesel Collaborative Emissions reductions RFP.

c.      CDTA is involved in a demonstration program in partnership with the Albany International Airport and American Wind Power and Hydrogen.  The $1.2 million program will provide two HICE Ford Escape vehicles to CDTA and two HICE pickup trucks to the Airport Authority and a skid mounted hydrogen fueling station.  A $6.695 million FTA grant with GE matching funds has been approved for Phase II for the development of a light weight, battery dominant hybrid fuel cell transit bus.

d.     The NYPTA Conference will be held in Albany this fall.  Ray is on the planning committee for the conference.  There will likely be a segment devoted to Clean Fuels.

 

5.      CMAQ

a.      CDTC has proposed a $2 million set-aside in CMAQ funds for Clean Cities projects.  CDTC’s TIP has not been approved yet, but the set-aside in still intact. CDTC staff will draft a solicitation for projects once the TIP is approved.  It is likely that the solicitation will be announced in late summer/early fall.

 

5.   OTHER NEWS:

a.      City of Oneonta: The city is pursuing the feasibility of installing an E-85 pump for use in the police fleet.  The city is still using B-20 in their municipal vehicles.

b.   Cummins NE: Cummins received conditional EPA Verification for its Fleetguard Closed crankcase Ventilation (CCV) system. The system reduces emissions when used with Cummins Diesel Oxidation Catalyst.  Cummins is also marketing their “Comfortguard” system which is an anti-idling product.  This product supplies A/C and heat using a 4000kw generator powered by a small diesel engine.  The payback is 2-3 years.

c.    Michael Connors: Michael is pushing for NYS to adopt the E20 standards that Minnesota has adopted.

d.   NYSDOT: Pete Rea reported that NYSDOT is planning a Fall Conference that will likely include sessions on Clean fuels.  The conference is scheduled for Wednesday October 3rd at the Proctor’s Atrium.

 

Next Meeting

 

This group will meet again on Wednesday September 19th at 10:00 am from 10:00 am to noon at CDTC's offices (1 Park Place Main Floor, Albany, NY 12205).