Carl Moyer Program Overview:
In1999, the State legislature created the Carl Moyer Program to facilitate the move to cleaner burning engines. The Carl Moyer Program provides monetary grants to help businesses and public agencies clean up their heavy-duty diesel engines ahead of regulatory deadlines. The grants pay a percentage of the cost of clean air projects. Maximum percent funding is dependent on the project category and type.

The program continues to drive early introduction of clean air technologies that reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and reactive organic gases (ROG) caused by the combustion of diesel fuel in heavy-0duty engines. In FY 2008-2009, $15.0 million was made available for project award within the South Coast AQMD's 4-county jurisdiction

Visit www.aqmd.gov/tao/implementation/carl_moyer_program_2001.html for additional information on:

• What kinds of Equipment will be funded
• Proposed Funding and Cost-Effectiveness Limits
• How Proposals will be evaluated
• Technical Questions
• Carl Moyer Individual Workshop Details

All project proposals must be received no later than 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2009. Faxes or other electronic submittals will not be accepted. 

SCAQMD Program Opportunity Notice (PON)

P2009-01 to solicit pre-proposals for co-funding consideration of advanced clean technology research, development, demonstration and deployment (RDD&D) projects in mobile source applications for the South Coast Air Basin.

To qualify for funding consideration under this RFP, eight (8) complete copies of the pre-proposal must be received at the AQMD no later than 5:00 p.m. May 1, 2009. PON can be downloaded from AQMD's Web Site by directly typing the web address http://www.aqmd.gov/rfp/

MSRC

The Local Government Match Program offers to co-fund projects implemented by cities and counties within the jurisdiction of the AQMD that utilize their Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Subvention Funds, commonly referred to as AB2766 Subvention Funds. The MSRC, using its Discretionary Funds, will contribute match funding toward qualifying projects. Eligible project categories for this year's $3 million Local Government Match Program have been expanded significantly to better support cities' and counties' air quality improvement needs.

Six project categories are eligible to receive MSRC matching funds under the FY 2008-09 Program:

• • New, Expanded, or Upgraded Alternative Fuel Infrastructure
• • Purchase of Heavy-Duty Alternative Fuel Vehicles
• • Off-Road Vehicle Diesel Engine Re-Powers and Verified Diesel Emission Control System Retrofit Devices
• • Emergency Response Vehicle Diesel Engine Re-powers and Verified Diesel Emission Control System Retrofit Devices
• • Multi-Jurisdictional traffic Signal Coordination & Synchronization
• • Remote Fleet Vehicle Diagnostics

For more information visit http://www.cleantransportationfunding.org/?fa=proposal/

Energy Tax Incentives in the New Tax Law

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" (the 2009 economic stimulus act).  The bill extends tax credits for improvement to renewable energy projects or more efficient technologies.  Below is an overview of the tax provisions.

Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Improvements to Existing Homes

Under existing law, a taxpayer could claim a lifetime nonrefundable 10% credit for energy saving improvements made to his home during 2009; the overall credit was limited to $500 and capped at $200 for qualifying expenses for windows. The individual's expenditures from subsidized energy financing were not taken into account when computing the credit which was a lifetime credit. Under the new law, the credit is raised to 30%, the $200 and $500 caps are eliminated and replaced with a $1,500 aggregate cap for property placed in service during 2009 and 2010, the limitation on subsidized energy financing is eliminated, and the standards for energy efficient property (heat pumps, air conditioning, etc.) have been revised.

Residential Energy Property

Under existing law, an individual was allowed a 30% credit for the purchase of qualified residential energy efficient property, such as solar energy property, fuel cell property, solar water heating property, small wind energy property, and geothermal heat pump property. There were dollar limitations on the credits that could be taken, and the treatment of expenditures from subsidized energy financing was not taken into account. The new law removes the credit caps for solar hot water, geothermal, and wind property, and it eliminates the reduction in credits for property that was obtained with subsidized energy financing.

Under existing law, taxpayers may claim a credit for new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles purchased from 2009 through 2014. The credit amount cannot exceed limits based on the gross vehicle weight rating, and ranges from $7,500 to $15,000. The credit phases out when the manufacturer has sold 250,000 electric drive motor vehicles for use in the United States. The new legislation modifies the credit for vehicles purchased after 2009; the revised credit is limited to $5,000 and phases out when the manufacturer has sold 200,000 vehicles. In addition, the new law creates a 10% nonrefundable personal credit for electric drive low-speed vehicles, motorcycles, and three-wheeled vehicles purchased between February 17, 2009, and the end of 2011; this credit is limited to $2,500. Finally, the new legislation creates a 10% credit for the cost of converting any motor vehicle to a qualified plug-in electric motor drive vehicle; this credit is capped at $4,000. 

Tax Credits for Alternative Fuel Pumps

Qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property (QAFVR) is property that is used for the storage or dispensing of a clean-burning fuel or electricity into the fuel tank or battery of a motor vehicle that is propelled by fuel or electricity. Under existing law, a taxpayer could elect to claim a credit equal to 30% of the cost of QAFVR placed in service before the end of 2010; the credit was available for hydrogen-related QAFVR that was placed in service before the end of 2014. The credit was limited to $30,000 per year for property used in a trade or business and $1,000 per year for QAFVR installed on property that was used as a principal residence. The new legislation increases the maximum credit for hydrogen-related business property placed in service by the end of 2010 to $200,000, for other business QAFVR to $50,000, and for non-business property to $2,000 per year.

Business Energy Credit

Under existing rules, a 30% business energy credit is allowed on fuel cell property, solar property, small wind energy property, and geothermal heat pump property, and a 10% credit is allowed for geothermal power production property, combined heat and power system property, micro turbine property, and (after 2016) solar energy property. If the property was financed by subsidized energy financing or with proceeds from private activity bonds, the basis of the property was reduced for purposes of claiming the credit. In addition, the credit for the small wind energy property could not exceed $4,000 per year. The new legislation repeals the basis reduction requirement for subsidized energy financing and eliminates the cap on the credit for small wind energy property.

For more information visit http://www.rwac.com/Enerygy_Tax_Incentives.htm

EAP Stimulus Act Funding Opportunities

For information regarding EPA's portion of the Stimulus Act, please check their West Coast Collaborative website: http://www.westcoastdiesel.org/ for tentative details.  You may want to participate in their periodic conference calls to their eight sectors, by clicking the links found on the left side of there website.

Greener Federal Buildings and Fleets

Federal buildings and fleets will become greener under a measure of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The act provides $4.5 billion to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to convert federal buildings into high-performance green buildings, which generally combine energy efficiency and renewable energy production to minimize the energy use of the buildings. The act also directs $4 million toward the establishment of an Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings within the GSA. In addition, the act provides $100 million for the Energy Conservation Investment Program within the Department of Defense, as well as another $100 million for energy conservation and alternative energy projects at facilities of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.

For federal vehicle fleets, the act provides $300 million to cover the costs of acquiring greener motor vehicles, including hybrids, electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid vehicles, once they become commercially available. Buying plug-in hybrids will be an iffy proposition, however, as the funds must be spent by September 30, 2011. See pages 88-91 and 195-197 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (PDF 13.4 MB), as well as pages 30-31 and 73 of the accompanying joint explanatory statement of the conference committee (PDF 10.3 MB). Download Adobe Reader.

Federal Highway Administration Guidance

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration have issued guidance to assist state and local agencies in preparing for implementation of the stimulus bill.  The guidance includes Q&As and actions that can be taken to expedite economic recovery projects.  According to FHWA, projects such as traffic signal upgrades, traffic monitoring and weigh-in-motion equipment, ramp metering, dynamic message signs, road weather information systems, and similar operational strategies can be included as part of larger projects or as standalone projects.  The ITS Joint Program Office has also prepared a white paper to inform public agencies about investment opportunities in ITS and related operational strategies.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

The Clean Cities/Biomass Program 

FY09 Petroleum Reduction Technologies Projects for the Transportation Sector, Funding Opportunity Number: DE-PS26-09NT01236

To access the solicitation:

1.  go to http://www.grants.gov/applicants/find_grant_opportunities.jsp 

2a.  you can search by Funding Opportunity Numbers:

 a. DE-PS26-09NT01236-01 (Infrastructure)

 b. DE-PS26-09NT01236-02 (Incremental Cost of Vehicles)

 c. DE-PS26-09NT01236-03 (Education & Outreach Workshops)

2b. or you can click on "Browse by Category " and then click on "Energy" and scroll ahead to the closing date of 2/27/09, and you will find the 3 above funding categories.

3.  Once you click onto one of the three "Opportunity Titles" (i.e. the above numbers), you can scroll down to "Link to Full Announcement"

and Click here to view the Opportunity to see the entire solicitation.

The ability to apply and the required application files will not be available until the first week of January. If you have general questions on accessing the solicitation, please contact me at jfisher@bcs-hq.com. If you have solicitation-specific questions, they must be submitted via IIPS.

STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS AND INCENTIVES

For information on Laws and Incentives visit the following web site: eere.energy.gov/

Legislation is required in the State of California to extend HOV lane access for single-occupancy SULEVs and ILEVs, which include vehicles such as those powered by natural gas, hydrogen, propane and electricity. The current HOV lane access for these vehicles expires January 1, 2011. Assemblyman Mike Eng, Assembly Transportation CommitteeChair, is considering introducing a bill this year that would extend HOV
lane access until January 1, 2017. (see proposed language below).

Before Assemblyman Eng introduces this bill, he wants to insure there is support for the extension. Therefore, please consider such an extension and, if you can support it, please contact Assemblyman Eng's Sacramento or El Monte offices to express that support.

State Capitol District Office:
P.O. Box 942849 9420 Telstar Avenue, Suite 103
Sacramento, CA 94249 El Monte, CA 91731
Tel: 916-319-2049 Tel: (626) 450-6116
Fax: 916-319-2149 Fax: (626) 450-6117

Please note that there has been strong support for this type of legislation previously.

SUPPORT LIST FOR THE ORIGINAL HOV DECAL LEGISLATION (NON-HYBRID) AB
71(CUNEEN) 1999:
B.A.T. International
Bay Area Air Quality Management District California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance California Electric Transportation Coalition California League of Conservation Voters California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition City and County of San Francisco Coalition for Clean Air General Motors Corporation Hydrogen Burner Technology Inland Empire Foods, Inc.
Natural Resources Defense Council
Pacific Gas and Electric
Pinnacle CNG Company (Midland, Texas)
Planning and Conservation League
Sempra Energy
Sierra Club
South Coast Air Quality Management District Southern California Edison Union of Concerned Scientists

SUPPORT LIST FOR HOV DECAL SUNSET EXTENSION LEGISLATION AB 2600(LIEU) 2006:

California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition (sponsor) Bay Area Air Quality Management District California Air Pollution Control Officers Clean Energy Clean Power Campaign Coalition for Clean Air Natural Resources Defense Council Planning and Conservation League Sempra Energy Union of Concerned Scientists

For more information contact:
Annabel Cook
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Consultant
American Honda
Landline - 310-781-4456
Mobile - 714-296-8811

Proposed Language to Extend Sunset of HOV Lane Access for ILEVs:

Low-Emission Vehicle Identification for High-Occupancy Vehicle Lane Use: Tolls

5205.5.  (a) For the purposes of implementing Section 21655.9, the department shall make available for issuance, for a fee determined by the department to be sufficient to reimburse the department for the actual costs incurred pursuant to this section, distinctive decals, labels, and other identifiers that clearly distinguish the allowing vehicles from other vehicles:

(1) A vehicle that meets California’s super ultra-low emission vehicle (SULEV) standard for exhaust emissions and the federal inherently low-emission vehicle (ILEV) evaporative emission standard, as defined in Part 88 (commencing with Section 88.101-94) of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(2) A vehicle that was produced during the 2004 model-year or earlier and meets California ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standard for exhaust emissions and the federal ILEV standard. (OPTIONAL) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2017, and as of that date is repealed.

$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.  

For more information: 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.

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.

EPA

Others Join To Help Truckers Save Fuel

By Andrea Lyn Van Benschoten, Web Editor, Manufacturing.net
Manufacturing.Net - November 15, 2006

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

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/

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