Webinar: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology Update – Options Under the VW Settlement

Posted by & filed under National.

NASEO will host a webinar on Thursday, June 1 at 3:30pm eastern time that will review the latest on-road, medium- and heavy-duty alternative fuel vehicle technologies eligible for funding under the Volkswagen (VW) Settlement. Through the VW settlement, states will have an opportunity to replace old diesel vehicles with on- and off-road alternative fuel vehicles. During this webinar, participants will hear updates on various alternative fuel vehicle technologies and their expected emissions benefits, and will have an opportunity to ask questions of their peers. Our speakers will include: Kent Leacock with Proterra and Leslie Eudy with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, who will provide an overview of electric transit buses; Hugh Donnell with Cummins Westport, who will discuss recent developments in the heavy-duty natural gas vehicle industry, including “near zero” natural gas engines; and Tucker Perkins with the Propane Education & Research Council, who will provide an overview of the latest on-road propane vehicle applications. To register for the webinar, please visit: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7661374315484547842.
Additional information on the Volkswagen Settlement can be found on NASEO’s website at www.naseo.org/volkswagen-settlement. For more information, please contact Cassie Powers at cpowers@naseo.org.

Ryder Now Offering Renewable Diesel at San Francisco Fueling Facility

Posted by & filed under National.

Ryder System Inc., a commercial fleet management, dedicated transportation and supply-chain solutions provider, has begun to offer renewable diesel fuel at its San Francisco fueling facility, located at 2700 3rd St.

With this implementation, Ryder says its customers will be better able to address their sustainability goals of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions while still utilizing diesel vehicles.

Read more

2017 US EPA Clean Diesel Grant Opportunity

Posted by & filed under National.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $11 million in competitive grant funding for the Diesel Emissions Reductions Act (DERA) Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program. The Program is soliciting proposals nationwide for projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions in terms of tons of pollution produced and exposure, particularly from fleets operating in areas designated by the EPA as poor air quality areas.

Submit your Project for VW settlement funding!

Posted by & filed under Kentucky.

Complete the survey to have your diesel replacement project(s) included in Kentucky’s “wish list”. A list of “shovel ready” NOx mitigation and Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) projects is needed for when Kentucky’s $19 million in allocated VW settlement funding becomes available.

SURVEY – Tell us about your potential vehicle or equipment replacement project(s) by MAY 30, 2017
Please use the free form text fields below to describe the type of diesel vehicles/equipment currently operating. Use a separate line for each specific vehicle/equipment type. Include on or off road vehicles or equipment.

  • Vehicle ClassVehicle TypeModel YearTotal UnitsDate of Scheduled ReplacementFuel type of interest (NG, LPG, EV)Matching funds available?Willing to destroy replaced vehicles?Would you like KCFC to contact you for discussion/planning? 

Thank you. KCFC will use your input to express our members’ interests as Kentucky moves forward with naming a beneficiary agency and mitigation plan development.

 

VW Settlement Background
In 2016, it was discovered that Volkswagen, a German car manufacturer, made a series of intentional missteps in the design and operation of their diesel vehicles.  In July 2016, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency filed complaints against Volkswagen alleging that the car manufacturer violated the Clean Air Act with regards to approximately 580,000 model year 2009-2016 motor vehicles containing 2.0 and 3.0-liter diesel engines. The EPA alleged that each vehicle contained an internal computer that caused the emissions control system of those vehicles to perform differently during normal operation compared to EPA emissions testing certification process. During normal operation and use, it was discovered that the vehicles emit levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) significantly exceeding EPA’s compliance levels.

The Settlement
In October 2016, Volkswagen agreed to spend up to $14.7 billion to settle these allegations. The funds will be divided to benefits consumers, states, and national programs. Of the $14.7 billion, $10 billion will be spent on vehicle buyback and modification for consumers. $2.9 billion has been set aside for states in an Environmental Mitigation Trust and will be allocated to beneficiaries based on the number of impacted VW vehicles in their jurisdictions. The trust will support projects that reduce NOx emissions where the VW vehicles were, are or will be operated. Lastly, $2 billion will be spent over the next 10 years to support increased use of zero emission vehicle (ZEV) technology in the U.S. For more information on eligible consumer vehicles, visit https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings and search for Volkswagen.

What Happens Next
As of March 17, Wilmington Trust has been named as the National trustee who will oversee the disbursement of funds. Currently, Wilmington is reviewing appendix D for any changes they may need to submit to the courts.  Once Wilmington is confirmed Governors of each state will have 60-days to file to receive their allocated pot of mitigation trust funds by naming the agency that will be the beneficiary of said funds. For further information visit http://www.naseo.org/volkswagen-settlement

Vehicle/Equipment Replacement Project Examples
The following matrix outlines the designated vehicle classes, model year and applications, eligible for replacement with VW Mitigation Trust Funds.

Volkswagen National ZEV Investment Plan: Cycle 1

Posted by & filed under National.

As required by Appendix C to the 2.0-Liter Partial Consent Decree entered by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on October 25, 2016, Volkswagen Group of America is investing $1.2 billion over the next 10 years in zero emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure, education, and access outside California to support the increased adoption of ZEV technology in the United States, representing the largest commitment of its kind to date. View more

Kentucky Charges Forward with All-Electric Buses

Posted by & filed under Kentucky.

JOHN DAVIS: Our Clean Cities success story this week takes us to Louisville, Kentucky, where they’re charging towards the future with one of the country’s largest all-electric bus fleets.

With help from the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition and other partners, the Transit Authority of River City started adding all-electric buses to their fleet 3 years ago.

Today, they have 15 Proterra buses traveling throughout downtown. The TARC says their electric buses reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions by some 45,000 pounds each year.

BARRY BARKER: What’s particularly useful about it is the fact that we’re taking that out of downtown, which is probably the dirtiest place, right, in terms of auto emissions.

JOHN DAVIS: Powering up takes less than 10 minutes at either one of two quick overhead charge stations, so when it comes to fast and eco-friendly, this fleet hits it out of the park.

To watch the video click here.

Kentucky Lawmakers Override All 4 of Gov. Bevin’s Vetoes

Posted by & filed under Kentucky.

By ADAM BEAM, Associated Press

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky’s new GOP majority in the state Legislature has voted to tell the state’s Republican governor that if he wants to spend taxpayer money, he has to ask them first.

Gov. Matt Bevin on Monday vetoed a portion of House Bill 471, which said the state Legislature alone has the final say in who gets to spend up to $100 million of settlement money from a lawsuit against Volkswagen. On Wednesday, state lawmakers voted unanimously to override that veto, so it becomes law anyway.

Continue Reading

OCTC Students Hands On Learning

Posted by & filed under Kentucky.

Owensboro Community & Technical College students continue with hands on learning in the alternative fuel and advanced transportation technologies.  Pictured are several of them completing the conversion of a gasoline powered pick up to operate on Propane!