ONGOING HEAVY DUTY ON-ROAD TRUCK FLEET MODERNIZATION PROJECT

CARL MOYER PROGRAM

This SCAQMD funding opportunity remains open to replace pre-1990 heavy duty (CLass 7 or 8) diesel-fueled trucks with either newer (Model Year 2006) diesel-fueled trucks or Model Year 2004 and newer natural gas-fueled trucks of the same weight class.  The project will fund up to 80% of the cost of the new replacement truck.  There are certain limitations to the number of trucks that can be replaced with these funds.  This program is ongoing until the funding runs out.  A total of $6 million in funding is available.  All replacement trucks must be delivered and in operation by June 30, 2008. 

For more information contact Wayne King at 213 978-0857 or wayne.king@lacity.org

 You may also visit: www.aqmd.gov

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$25 MILLION IN CARB ALTERNATIVE FUEL INCENTIVES FOR ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES AND INFRASTRUCTURE

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is considering options on how to best spend $25 million just allocated by new state legislation to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Solicitations for projects are expected to be sent out in January 2007, with decisions on the final state of projects to be made in spring 2007.  All projects must be complete and in operation by June 30, 2009.

Background:  Assembly Bill 1811, which amends and supplements the Budget Act of 2006, directs CARB to develop a joint plan with the California Energy Commission (CEC to spend $25 million to provide incentives for the use and production of alternative fuels.  The proposed allocation amounts were guided by the budget language and input from CARB and the CEC.  The legislation requires the funds to be awarded by June 30, 2007, and no funds can be awarded for projects that include fuels derived from petroleum, coke or coal.  

Please find more information at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/altfuels/incentives/incentives.htm

The $25 million will be generally allocated as follows, with final amounts assigned on a project-by-project basis:

• 8.5 million for alternative fuel vehicles (including demonstration programs for plug-in hybrids and clean transit buses
• $7 million for fueling infrastructure (including incentives for E-85 and other alternative fuels);
• $5 million for biofuels production
• $3.5 million for fuel/vehicle research (including emissions testing and vehicle performance and vapor recovery certification
• $1 million for education

EAD will continue to track the development of this program, and will notify the IAFT when the application categories and requirements are confirmed.

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PLUG-IN HYBRID DEMONSTRATION

There is a potential opportunity to participate in a plug-in hybrid demonstration project being coordinated and funded by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD).  The AQMD is looking for high profile sites to demonstrate either original equipment manufacturer (OEM) produced plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) or converted commercially available plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.  The demonstrator may be required to cost share by contributing one or two factory hybrid vehicles to a selected contractor for conversion to a plug-in model.  The demonstrator would be required to perform routine monitoring for the project such as vehicle performance, mileage, fuel economy, etc.  If participating as a demonstrator, a city would not apply for the funding but would work with a selected contractor. 

If you would like to participate or are interested in learning more, please contact Wayne King at 213/978-0857 or wayne.king@lacity.org

Background:  On October 27, 2006 the AQMD issued a RFP to Develop and Demonstrate Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles.  The limited availability of real-world data for PHEVs is one of the primary obstacles to reducing costs and accelerating widespread deployment of these vehicles by either OEMs or conversion companies.  A fleet of PHEVs in different locations, with different duty cycles, would provide valuable information to key stakeholders in the manufacture and integration of the battery and energy management systems.  Further, a sustained demonstration program could accurately identify the emissions benefits, fuel savings, and battery capabilities.  This RFP is for the design, engineering, conversion, testing, and certification of up to 100 PHEVs in 18 months and demonstration and maintenance for 60 months at 15 different locations throughout the South Coast Air Basin.  In support of these PHEVs, the RFP will investigate adding charging infrastructure sites throughout the South Coast Air Basin.  AQMD staff estimates the total AQMD cost will not exceed $2.8 million from the Clean Fuel Fund.

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EPA, Others Join To Help Truckers Save Fuel

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has partnered with the Small Business Administration to make loans available to small trucking companies to purchase upgrade kits that will aid in conserving fuel resources and reduce emissions. The loan initiative uses SBA Express Loans and partners with Bank of America, Business Loan Express, Superior Financial Group and other SBA lenders to help small trucking companies finance the purchase of the SmartWay Upgrade Kits. The kits include idle-reduction devices, low rolling resistance tires, aerodynamic equipment, and exhaust after-treatment devices. The kits can improve truck fuel efficiency by 15 percent and save more than $8,000 in fuel costs annually, while significantly reducing emissions of soot and nitrogen oxides.

Participating lenders will provide quick approval and affordable monthly payments, and small trucking firms can borrow from $5,000 to $25,000, with no collateral. More information on the program can be found by clicking here.

© 2006 Advantage Business Media. All rights reserved

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CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION'S ALTERNATIVE FUEL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT!

The California Energy Commission can supply assistance for both public and private vehicle fleets that use alternative fuels -- Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Ethanol, Hydrogen, Propane and Biodiesel.

Assistance will be provided in the following areas:

• Locate optimum site
• Prepare cash flow analyses
• Develop marketing plans and investment proposals
• Identify funding sources
• Overcome permitting complications
• Solve construction difficulties
• Monitor and analyze the system once it is in place to insure it is opening properly
• Clarify requirements for on-going maintenance

To apply for assistance from the California Energy Commission, contact Alan Argentine at 919-654-4689, or aargenti@energy.state.ca.us

If you are new to grant proposal writing, a good reference to consult on the Internet is the EPA grant writing tutorial at:http://www.epa.gov/seahome/

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AQMD Air Quality Investment Program

Rule 2202 Air Quality Investment Program, allows employers with 250 or more employees to participate in an air quality investment program. An employer may elect to participate in the program by investing annually $60.00 per employee or triennially $125 per employee into an AQMD administered restricted fund. Money's collected from the restricted fund will be used by the AQMD to fund proposals that reduce mobile source emissions. Emission reduction proposals may include but are not limited to old-vehicle scrapping, clean on-road vehicles, clean off-road vehicles, remote sensing, other Mobile Source Emission Credits (MSERC), Emission Reduction Credits (ERC) from stationary sources. The Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit cost-effective projects. Some of the projects that could be considered to receive funding may include the procurement of low or zero emission vehicles; implementation of remote sensing; old vehicle scrapping; the creation or improvement of localized demand responsive, mobility enhancing services, such as shuttle services; and others.

Available Funds (2007/2008): To Be Announced by AQMD.

Contact: Shashi Singeetham 909/396-3298 or e-mail .

For More Details: Visit http://www.aqmd.gov/tao/implementation/rule_2202_air_quality_investment.htm .

For More Information on AQMD's NGV program visit: [PDF]South Coast AQMD NGV Program

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Purchasing an HEV?

For information about tax incentives or rebates available for purchasing HEVs visit:

http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/ddown.cgi?afdc|0/FAQ/18/0/0

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IRS Certifies Ford and Mercury Hybrid Vehicles for the Clean-Fuel Deduction

IR-2005-132, Nov. 7, 2005—The Internal Revenue Service has certified the model year 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid and the 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid vehicles as being eligible for the clean-burning fuel deduction. Taxpayers who purchase one of these hybrid vehicles new by December 31, 2005 may claim a tax deduction of up to $2,000 on Form 1040.

Visit http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=150594,00.html for more information.

Additional vehicles that qualify include:

• Lexus RX 400h — Model Year 2006
• Ford Escape Hybrid — Model Year 2005
• Toyota Prius — Model Years 2001 through 2005
• Toyota Highlander Hybrid — Model Year 2006
• Honda Insight — Model Years 2000 through 2005
• Honda Civic Hybrid — Model Years 2003 and 2005
• Honda Accord Hybrid — Model Year 2005

In 2006, the deduction is scheduled to drop to $500.

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PRIVATE PROGRAMS

OEMs Offer Clean Cities Support -Several automakers have created financial incentives specifically for Clean Cities coalitions:

• Honda - A discount on FuelMaker natural gas refueling appliances is available exclusively to Clean Cities stakeholders and coordinators who purchase Honda Civic GX natural gas vehicles. Clean Cities stakeholders and coordinators save 10 to 20 percent more than the standard Honda/FuelMaker discount. More information is available at www.fuelmaker.com/ccpromo.htm.