Obama Expected to Reject Construction of Keystone XL Oil Pipeline

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WASHINGTON – President Obama isexpected on Friday to announce that he has reejected the request from a Canadian company to build the Keystone XL oil pipeline, ending a seven-year review that had become a flash point in the debate over his climate policies.

President Obama’s denial of the proposed 1,79-mile pipeline which would have carrien 800,000 barrels a day of carbon heavy petroleum from the Canadian oil sands to the Gulf Coast, comes as he is seeking to build an ambitious legacy on climate change.

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Final RFS Volumes On Track For November 30 Announcement

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The EPA appears on track to meet its November 30th deadline to publish the proposed final rule for Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes. The final rule will include Advanced Biofuel volumes for 2014-2016, and Biomass-Based Diesel volumes for 2014-2017.

On May 29th, the EPA released proposed volumes for Biomass-Based Diesel at 1.63 BG for 2014, 1.7 BG for 2015, 1.8 BG for 2016, 1.9BG for 2017. Under the Advanced Biofuel category, the proposal called for 2.68 BG for 2014, 2.9 BG for 2015 and 3.4 BG for 2016. The overall Advanced Biofuel category offers further opportunity for biodiesel growth above and beyond the Biomass-Based Diesel standards.

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Gov. Beshear Announces $7.7 Million Congestion Mitigation Funds for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Lextran

Posted by & filed under Kentucky.

Tuesday, 10 27, 2015

Terry Sebastian
Jennifer Brislin
502-564-2611

Funding to aid in completion of multiple projects

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Steve Beshear and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) officials today announced the award of $6.5 million in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and $1.2 million to Lextran to improve safety and air quality in Kentucky’s second-largest city.

The grant awards total $7.7 million.

“These road and trail projects will help Lexington continue to strive to have a clean, healthy environment to support its strong quality of life for families and businesses,” Gov. Beshear said.

The $1.2 million CMAQ funds for Lextran, the Transit Authority of Lexington, will be provided for the purchase of buses powered by compressed natural gas.

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USDA Announces State Finalists for the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Sept. 10, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that 21 states will receive grants through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) to add infrastructure needed to supply more renewable fuel to America’s drivers. Since announcing the program in May 2015, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) received applications requesting over $130 million, outpacing the $100 million that is available. With a more than 1:1 match from private and state resources, USDA estimates that the BIP grants will support nearly 5,000 pumps at over 1,400 fueling stations across the country.

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Now More Than Ever:Mower Incentives Are Back

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PERC’s Propane Mower Incentive Program

is back: Effective immediately, but for a limited time, landscape contractors can apply to receive $1,000 toward the purchase of a new propane-powered mower, and $500 toward a qualified conversion.

This opportunity will only last until the program funds expire, though, so there’s no time to waste; in fact, some industry professionals attending the GIE + Expo in Louisville, Kentucky, this week got a head start in hearing about the advantages:

  • Lower operating costs
  • Proven performance
  • Fewer emissions

Kentucky Leadership Recognized at KCFC Natural Gas & Propane Workshop

Posted by & filed under Kentucky.

KCFC hosted a propane and natural gas workshop Wednesday, October 21st at Berry Hill Mansion in Frankfort, KY. This workshop brought together industry and political leaders to discuss propane and natural gas in the state of Kentucky. Selected fleets were recognized for their efforts to increase natural gas and propane vehicle use in the state.  KCFC recognized Bourbon, Bath and Hardin County Schools for their leadership in purchasing Propane powered school buses for their districts. Also, recognized Crittenden, Trimble and Nicholas counties. Tom Underwood, Kentucky Propane Education & Resource Council received an LPG Leadership Award from KCFC president Alan Steiden, along with Rumpke, who was honored as CNG Newcomer to Kentucky, and Carrie Butler and Michael Nagy from LexTran who received Kentucky’s First CNG Transit System Award in Frankfort.

Hotel Executive Building Electric Shuttles in Kentucky

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Two miles from Cincinnati, in the town of Wilder, Kentucky (population 3,500), a need is being met by hotel owner and CEO William Yung.

In 2003, Yung established Zenith Motors LLC to address his interest in electric shuttles for his 50 upscale and midscale hotels across the U.S. under branded names such as Hilton, Marriott, Doubletree and Starwood Westin. Zenith quietly began testing their electric shuttle technology in a small manufacturing plant in Wilder.

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Cummins Westport’s Near Zero Natural Gas Engine Certified

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Cummins Westport’s ISL G Near Zero NOx natural gas engine has received Near Zero NOx emission certifications from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board, the company announced.

The ISL G is the first mid-range engine to meet the 0.02 g/bhp-hr optional Near Zero NOx Emissions standards for medium-duty truck, urban bus, school bus, and refuse applications, according to Cummins Westport Inc. The ISL G NZ meets CARB certification eight years in advance of the 2023 California Near Zero NOx schedule.

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EV Charging Station Active in Downtown Louisville

Posted by & filed under Kentucky.

A new location for free electric car charging in Louisville is now active.

In the trendy NULU area of Louisville electric car owners can park and charge their cars at no cost.
EVolve Ky, Louisville’s own electric vehicle group, is proud to announce the install of a Level 2 charging station at The Green Building located at 732 E. Market Street in Louisville.
The install is part of the group’s new Adopt-a-Charger program where local companies and organizations subsidize the cost of the charger and installation for an appropriate host facility, such as an area non-profit, city park or other popular location.
Sponsors for Adopt-a-Charger’s first location are Graybar and Henderson Services. Parking and charging is free for EV drivers, and there are two highly-visible, dedicated parking spaces.
As we move forward, we will be working with Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition and other like-minded community organizations to identify additional appropriate locations and secure funding.  Our goal is to have 12 Adopt-a-Charger locations active within a year.

RUMPKE Receives CNG Trucks

Posted by & filed under Kentucky.

The Louisville division of RUMPKE has received two CNG trucks.

After the driver training on Tuesday, September 29th, the trucks went for their first refueling at Kentuckiana Clean Fuel on Geil Lane.