Capital District May 7, 2007
Clean Communities
Capital District Clean Communities
March 15, 2007 Meeting
Meeting Notes
Attendance
David Ardman, Barton & Loguidice,
P.L.
Pat Boudreau, National Grid
Lawrence D’Arco, NYSDEC
Joe Darling, NYSDOT Fleet
Administration
Glenn Havens, Cummins NE
Kristina Hong, A/GFTC
Stacey Hughes, National Grid
Steve Iachetta, Albany County
Airport Authority
Scott Lengel,
Cummins Northeast
Paul Patterson, City of
Oneonta
Pete Rea, NYSDOT R-1
Joseph Rich, FHWA
Deborah Stacey, CDTC Staff,
CDCC Coordinator
Robert Steff, NY Thruway
Authority
Glenn Young, John Ray and
Sons
SUMMARY NOTES:
1. ACAA:
a. The ACAA is progressing their
second VALE grant. This VALE grant is
being used to retrofit 13 heavy duty vehicles with diesel oxidation catalysts
and diesel particulate systems. The
retrofits will achieve 95% particulate reduction.
b. The ACAA received a grant from NYSERDA (≈ $60,000) for a
photovoltaic application in Concourse A.
2. 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.
3. NYSDOT
a. Joe Darling indicated that the Diesel Retrofit Order
for State fleets is an expensive program, given that the NYSDOT has 1400
vehicles that need retrofits and the state owns an additional 6600 diesel
vehicles. The cost of each retrofit (for
diesel oxidation catalysts) ranges between $1500 and $3000.
b. The law prohibiting use of LNG as a transportation
fuel in NYS is likely to be revoked within the next few months. This would open up the alternative fuel
vehicle market/use in Northern NYS, where natural gas is not available. The Albany Airport and garbage recycling
plants could provide much of the LNG by entering into methane liquefaction
projects.
c. NYSDOT is looking into specifications for dedicated
CNG trucks and for light duty CNG retrofits.
4. CMAQ Funding
a. CDTC has proposed a $2 million set-aside in CMAQ funds
for Clean Cities projects. CDTC’s Planning Committee has recommended that
an emphasis be placed on off-road diesel retrofits (as specified in SATETEA-LU)
and on on-road heavy duty retrofits.
b. CDTC’s Planning Committee recommendations must go to
its Policy Committee for endorsement and then must go through a public review
process. If approved, project
solicitation will begin in summer/fall 2007.
CDTA projects are specifically excluded because CDTA will likely receive
$8 million for bus replacements. Joe
rich noted that CSX is looking at diesel retrofits for their locomotive engines.
5. OTHER NEWS:
a. Ethanol Pumps/UL Issues: There are still issues regarding E-85 pumps and UL
(Underwriters Laboratory) certification.
This is interfering with the installation of public E-85 pumps at the
Thruway Rest Areas and at other locations in NYS. NYSERDA has organized a working group to get
the issues addressed in a timely fashion.
Barton & Loguidice is working with the
Thruway Authority and NYSERDA on the design and implementation phases.
b. John Ray and Sons: A representative from John Ray and Sons was
asked to join the Clean Communities coalition because John Ray and Sons is the
only local retail supplier of bio-diesel.
The company provided about eight customers with B2 during this past
winter and will likely switch to a B20 blend this spring. John Ray & Sons has had inquiries
regarding bio-heat and will likely get into the home heating bio-fuel market
next winter. The company is also
considering E-85 as a retail product.
c. National Grid: National
Grid is purchasing B20 for their diesel vehicles. This policy began in May 2006; National Grid
used regular diesel during the winter and will resume use of B20 in the spring. Approximately 35,000 gallons were consumed in
2006. 50,000 gallons are projected for 2007.
d. National AFVI Conference: The AFVI conference is scheduled for the first week in
April in Anaheim California. Deb Stacey
will attend the event along with many other Clean Cities coordinators.
e. Cummins NE: Cummins is providing 2010 EPA certified diesel engines
to Chrysler for their 2007 model year Dodge pick-up trucks. Cummins’s natural
gas engines are also 2010 certified.
f. City of
Oneonta: The city’s entire fleet runs
on B20, including emergency vehicles.
The city did not experience fuel problems this past winter. The city will convert their transit fleet to
bio-diesel this coming year. The city is
working with the school system to convert the school buses to B20. The city pays a premium for the biofuel, but this has become a politically popular
decision.
g. CDTA: CDTA has ordered six hybrid-electric buses from the Gillig Corporation.
Two buses have been delivered.
The maintenance department is using these two buses for training
purposes before they are put in service.
The hybrid-electrics will be placed in service on the Route 5 corridor,
which is the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor.
Next Meeting
This
group will meet again on Thursday June 14, 2007 from 10:00 am to noon at
CDTC's offices (1 Park Place Main Floor, Albany, NY 12205).