News of the Alternative Data Center Volume Five • Issue Three • Fall 1996

A New If you have information to share with other Update “AFDC Update” readers, please forward it to the Center, along with your name and how you can be contacted for any ello, and welcome to the HAFDC Update. For those of needed detail. you not familiar with the Update, it is a quarterly newsletter pub- site. We will let you know what is should ensure that the Center has lished by the U.S. Department of new through this newsletter. your correct information. Energy’s (DOE) Alternative Fuels As you will find in this issue, For those of you who have Data Center (AFDC). For any of briefs of various alternative fuels finished this editorial of sorts, fear you that have even glanced at information are provided by not, it is the only one I will write. previous issues of the Update, the category. If any editorials appear in future changes we have made should be We will also begin an addi- issues, they will be from others in more than obvious and we hope tional service, the AFDC Express. the alternative fuels industry. you like what we have done. The Express will provide impor- Enjoy the Update. First of all, we decided to tant information on late-breaking change the variety and layout of issues via e-mail and fax. If you Lee Slezak information provided in the would like to receive these, you AFDC Program Manager Update. Previous issues featured U.S. Department of Energy lengthy articles about alternative research and demonstration projects being conducted for DOE DOE Evaluates Private and by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This Local Fleet Role information is, as any future infor- mation will be, contained in The U.S. Department of With the advanced notice of pro- reports prepared by NREL and Energy (DOE) is reviewing com- posed rulemaking (ANOPR), pub- made available on the AFDC web ments on the role private and lished in the Federal Register on local fleets should take in meeting August 7, DOE sought comments the displacement goals on whether or not EPAct's goals to IN THIS ISSUE of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 replace 10% of the nation's petrole- (EPAct). um motor fuel use by 2000 and EPAct opened the door to 30% by 2010 are reasonable, what CMAQ Supports requiring certain private and local actions are necessary to achieve AFV Programs...... 2 light-duty vehicle fleets to make them, and what voluntary and Funding...... 3 alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) incentive measures could be taken. 20% of their vehicle purchases in The Secretary of Energy can How to Buy Time...... 3 the 2002 model year, increasing recommend to Congress other Hot off the Press...... 4 up to 70% in 2005 and beyond. requirements or incentives for fuel suppliers, vehicle manufacturers, From Motor City...... 5 “We are actively looking for differ- ent options,” said DOE program and drivers to increase and sustain Clean Cities Update...... 6 manager Kenneth Katz. “We’re the use of alternative fuels if DOE first determines that the private From the Capitals...... 6 aware that mandates aren't exactly popular.” On the Road...... 7 (Continued on page 2)

Printed with a renewable-source ink on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, including 20% postconsumer waste AFDC UPDATE 2

(Continued from page 1) guzzling cars continues to support tive fuel use; this case would offer and local fleet mandates will not the law’s mission. “A virtual one- the greatest fuel import and green- meet the petroleum displacement to-one relationship exists between house gas emissions reductions goals. additional consumption from light-duty vehicles, the “We’re open to comments on and America’s increased use of report stated. DOE projects other nonregulatory programs to imported oil,” states the ANOPR. methanol and are more meet the goals,” Katz said. Those “The U.S. consumes 4 million bar- likely to be imported, largely from comments could serve as the basis rels per day more for transporta- the Middle East. for a later request to Congress for tion purposes alone than it an alternative fuel program. DOE produces; that gap is projected to For more information, call David also sought input on how to assess rise to 9 million barrels per day by Rodgers, 202-586-9171, or e-mail the impacts of fuel displacement the year 2010.“ [email protected]. The rule on reducing oil imports, improv- According to a study released and the transcripts from the public ing the national economy, and by DOE this year, methanol and hearings can be found under “What’s reducing greenhouse gas emis- propane would take the largest New” at the AFDC’s Internet site, sions. share of an equal-tax AFV market. www.afdc.doe.gov. Americans’ lasting trend Under current conditions, ethanol toward driving more miles in gas- could account for 40% of alterna-

CMAQ Funds Continue to Support AFV Programs

A program that has provided the rest allocated to states in DOT’s new CMAQ brochure nearly $291 million for alternative nonattainment of federal carbon Innovations in Transportation and fuel projects since 1992 is expiring monoxide and ozone standards. Air Quality: Twelve Exemplary and up for reauthorization. The “What is surprising is the Projects for utilizing cleaner tech- Department of Transportation’s large percentage [of the funds] nology, creating financial partner- (DOT) Congestion Mitigation minimum apportionment states ships, making the environment a and Air Quality Improvement used on alternative fuel projects,” priority, and bringing the public Program (CMAQ), part of the said Michael Savonis, Air Quality into the decision-making process. Intermodal Surface Transportation Specialist for the Federal Highway (For a copy of the brochure, call Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991, is Administration (FHA). For exam- the FHA Hotline at 202-366-2069.) the largest source of alternative ple, Idaho, which has no non- ISTEA, which authorizes fuel funding available. attainment areas, spent nearly 57% federal transit, highway, and CMAQ disburses a total of of its $13.6 million on projects safety programs, expires in about $1 billion each year. Each such as October 1997, and DOT is current- state is guaranteed at least 0.5% (CNG) fueling and CNG buses. ly in the process of evaluating of the annual apportionment, with This project was recognized in ISTEA’s success and determining how a reauthorized ISTEA should operate. The agency is expected to submit a proposal to Congress this Virginia $1 M CMAQ Funding for winter. Kentucky $2 M Alternative Fuels “CMAQ has a lot of friends,” Massachusetts $2 M 1992–1995 Savonis said, but that broad con- Indiana $3 M stituency of those who utilize the New Mexico $4 M funds is also competing for a larg- $5 M Pennsylvania er share of the pie against other New Jersey $5 M Grand Total: $291 Million North Carolina $6 M transportation needs, such as road Arizona $6 M maintenance and construction. Idaho $8 M “Will environmental projects still Washington $13 M be able to compete with other proj- Texas $16 M ects?” he asked. “Now is the time Illinois $19 M for your input.” New York $22 M Ohio $28 M California $146 M Source: FHWA and FTA

Fall 1996 3 AFDC UPDATE

application requests totaled convenient, effective, and self- $7.8 million and included many supporting Funding good proposals. “The great num- transportation system. DOE ber and quality of proposals funds will pay for Enerpro demonstrates that alternative fuel Chargers and Georgia Power vehicle (AFV) projects are a top will provide six full-size elec- States Get Funding for priority for states and that Clean tric buses. AFV Projects Cities is popular throughout the Illinois—Provide rebates for country,” said Marcy Rood, DOE 50 AFVs for eligible municipali- Alternative fuel projects in program manager. Programs will ties. The state will provide 12 states and the District of include liquefied and compressed leverage for public alternative Columbia were given a boost by natural gas (LNG, CNG), liquefied refueling sites. the U.S. Department of Energy petroleum gas (LPG), electric, Kentucky—Convert approxi- (DOE) this summer. The $2.15 methanol, and ethanol vehicles or mately 50 United Parcel million distributed through the infrastructure. Service 10-ton delivery trucks 1996 State Energy Program grants Here are the winners and to dual-fuel CNG, and pro- leveraged $32 million in cash and highlights from their projects: vide training, promotion, and in-kind matches, and will support reporting. the efforts of 19 Clean Cities coali- Delaware—Install a multifuel New York—Demonstrate a new, tions to increase the use of alterna- (CNG/LPG) refueling station cost-effective approach to tive fuels. at Odessa (between vehicle fueling at LaGuardia Narrowing the grant winners Wilmington and Dover). Airport, and at other cost- down was difficult; state Georgia—Complete the plans of a share projects within the state, local partnership to create a provide fleet operator How to Buy Time

Alternative fuel incentives do not always have to be financial. It is often said “you can’t buy time,” but perhaps someday that could be possible by purchasing an (AFV). Virginia was the first state to pass legislation allowing vehicles with a special Clean Fuel Vehicle license plate to use lanes reserved for high occupancy vehicles (HOVs),

Washington Gas / PIX 04129 Washington even if the driver is the only occupant. Arizona passed simi- lar legislation this year (see page 7). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency includes HOV restriction exemptions for certified inherently low- emission vehicles in its 1993 final rule for the Clean Fuel Fleet Program. However, Section 1016 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), contradicts that language by stating “A state highway department Washington Gas / PIX 04128 shall establish the occupancy requirements of vehicles operating in high occupancy vehicle lanes; except that no fewer than two occupants per vehicle may be required.” For more information, contact Bryant Gross at 202-366-9289 or visit the Department of Transpor- tation’s Internet site: www.dot.gov/dotinfo/ost/govtaffairs/istea.

If you have ISTEA success stories to share, please send them to: John Horsley Deputy Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs U.S. Department of Transportation 400 7th Street, SW, Room 10408 Washington, DC 20590 202-366-4563

Fall 1996 AFDC UPDATE 4

technical support and training, Alternative Fuel Transit Buses: Dispensing Fuel Ethanol. Subjects and coordinate statewide Final Results from the National covered include fuel specifications, activities. Renewable Energy Laboratory Vehicle fuel handling, equipment recom- Nevada—Construct two public Evaluation Program provides the mendations, safety practices, and access LNG/CNG refueling newest information on the eight testing procedures. stations on the I-15/I-80 Clean transit bus systems around the The handbook was prepared Corridor, and convert approxi- country that have incorporated a by the U.S. Department of mately 43 vehicles to CNG. variety of alternative fuel buses Energy’s Argonne National Oklahoma—Help the Central into their fleets. Fuels tested Laboratory with assistance and Oklahoma Clean Cities include liquefied natural gas, com- input from the National Corn Coalition’s project to identify pressed natural gas (CNG), Growers Association, the new fleet customers, conduct , and ethanol. The report Governor’s Ethanol Coalition, workshops, provide materials, provides detailed information on General Motors Corporation, and educate the public, support reliability, operating costs, capital Ford Motor Company. mechanic training programs, costs, and emissions performance. For a copy off the Internet, and other outreach. For a closer look at how one visit the “What’s New” section on Pennsylvania—Support activities transit agency made the switch, the AFDC’s home page (or type of the Greater Philadelphia Did You Know? http://afdc3.nrel.gov/refuel/ Clean Cities Program and the reports/fuelrpts.html). Pittsburgh Region Clean At the start of 1996, approxi- Cities Program, including mately 4% of the more than Heavy-Duty promotional and educational 50,000 transit buses in the Manufacturers Pick Up outreach materials, training United States surveyed by the the Pace workshops, refueling station American Public Transit directories, and fact sheets. Today eight manufacturers Association ran on an alterna- Texas—Develop an alternative fuel offer a total of 22 alternative fuel implementation plan at the tive fuel such as ethanol, for medium- and heavy- new Austin airport. methanol, natural gas or lique- duty vehicles. This includes nat- Utah—Place 14 AFVs on the road fied petroleum gas. That trend ural gas and propane options, and fund a full-time Salt Lake will continue; one out of every which have significantly reduced City Clean Cities program five new buses on order runs emissions compared to their diesel coordinator. A CNG station on an alternative fuel. (Those counterparts. Details on these sup- will also be constructed. numbers do not include electric pliers are included in the Virginia—Support the Hampton trolley buses.) Alternative Fuels Data Center’s Roads Clean City coalition. Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Washington, D.C.—Implement a check out Alternative Fuel Transit Resource Guide. model regional AFV market Buses: The Pierce Transit Success In addition, there are at least development program. Story. This case study describes 47 medium- and heavy-duty vehi- West Virginia—Put 30 new CNG Tacoma, Washington’s, success cle models, including transit, trol- vehicles on the road, provide with 10 CNG buses and what the ley, school bus and other specialty emissions testing data. city did to “get it right.” The bus applications that can run on nat- report and the study can be found ural gas, propane, or electricity. at http://www.afdc.doe.gov or For a copy of these reports, Hot off obtained by calling our hotline at call the National Alternative Fuels 800-423-1363. Hotline at 1-800-423-1DOE or the download it from the AFDC site Press Ethanol Refueling on the World Wide Web. Handbook Latest Transit Bus Results Natural Gas Composition Fuel distributors and retailers and Vehicles The National Renewable interested in selling fuel ethanol Energy Laboratory recently may want to get a copy of Seasonal and regional released two new reports on alter- Guidebook for Handling, Storage, and changes in natural gas native fuel bus projects.

Fall 1996 5 AFDC UPDATE

composition can affect natural gas Ford Continues AFV Did You Know? vehicles, according to researchers Lineup with Reduced at the Institute of Gas Technology Prices While they are not taking orders Gas (IGT). IGT’s new report, yet, according to the Arizona Composition Issues and Implications For the first time, alternative Republic, last June one Phoenix for Natural Gas Vehicles and Fueling fuel vehicles (AFVs) will be offered Saturn dealer already had Stations, will help fleet managers below or at the cost of the gasoline and fuel suppliers educate them- models. This year fleet managers requests for General Motors’ selves about these issues and pre- can save $345 when they order the new EV1 electric vehicle from vent negative impacts. flexible-fuel Ford Taurus, available 80 serious buyers. For more on For a copy, call the National in ethanol or methanol, instead of the EV1, visit Saturn’s Internet Technical Information Service at a gasoline model. site at: 703-487-4650 and request docu- Ford reported it sold about www.gmev.com/evmainpage. ment number PB-195771. 2,200 natural gas vehicles last html. year. New incentives for early orders may make those sales fig- GM has a new hotline for clean From ures higher this year. The com- fuel vehicles, 800-GM-CFT 4U. pressed natural gas (CNG) version Motor of the F-Series Econoline van will City cost the same or $2,935 more than dedicated, not bi-fuel. The bi-fuel its gasoline counterpart (depend- CNG Contour, which made its ing on the number of ) if debut late last spring, will return Chrysler Takes a Year Off ordered by the end of this year. in 1997. The CNG F-250 pickup truck is In the past, Ford has relied Citing the high cost of natural $1,805 to $2,900 more than the heavily on using outside convert- gas storage tanks and “lackluster gasoline truck. The dedicated ers for its gaseous fuel models market demand,” Chrysler CNG Crown Victoria’s price was through its qualified vehicle modi- Corporation suspended its natural also reduced, making it only fier (QVM) program. This year gas vehicle (NGV) production for $3,255 more than the gasoline only the Contour will be QVM- the 1997 model year. version. produced. “We’re moving as “At the very low volumes the More than the price has many products as we can in- industry is experiencing, we can- changed. Unlike last year, the 1997 house,” said Tom Artushin, Ford’s not make a business case for the van and pickups will come with a specialty vehicle manager. 1997 model year,” said Mike larger 5.4-liter engine and will be Clement, manager of Chrysler’s alternative fuel vehicle sales and marketing division. “We will con- tinue to review the sales potential and explore options to reduce storage costs in determining the best time to reenter the mar- ket.” But Chrysler isn’t totally out

of the alternative fuel market this Gretz, NREL / PIX 02462 Warren year. As a preview to larger pro- duction runs in 1997, Chrysler will sell 20 electric EPIC minivans to the U.S. Department of Defense. For more information on Chrysler, visit its Internet site at www.chrysler.com or call its fleet operations division at 1-800-255-2616. This 1996 Ford Taurus is a “flexible fuel” vehicle, which can run on either ethanol or standard gasoline.

Fall 1996 AFDC UPDATE 6

There are no immediate plans The Texas State Technical for repeating the 1996 propane College Airport in Waco was the From F-Series truck option. It was first Clean Airport, and the air- briefly offered this spring with port serving the City of the some success, but dropped when Morgantown, West Virginia, Capitals the 4.9-liter engine was phased became the second designated out. “We’re busy launching the Clean Airport. House Natural Gas new gasoline 5.4-liter,” Artushin Those designations recognize Vehicle Task Force said. “The alternative fuel vehicles the work of several pilots and will follow.” researchers who have demon- A (NGV) For more information, visit strated ethanol’s potential to Task Force formed at the request Ford’s Internet site at replace leaded av-gas (the fuel for of Representative Newt Gingrich www.ford.com (AFVs are found at general aviation aircraft) with a (R-GA) and headed by www.ford.com/corporate- high-octane alternative. Since Representative Joe Barton (R-TX) info/environment) or call Ford’s leaded av-gas is more expensive has finished holding hearings on hotline, 1-800-ALT-FUEL. than gasoline, ethanol is already NGV purchase barriers and sug- In advance of its 1998 electric economically competitive. gestions on how Congress can pickup truck, Ford has also added This summer the Federal eliminate them. The eight-member, an electric vehicle page to its web Aviation Administration (FAA) bipartisan group presented its site: www.ford.com/electric granted final certification for a recommendations this fall in the vehicle. Cessna 152 to run on ethanol. The form of a bill. FAA’s approval certifies both the Called the Natural and the airframe for Vehicle Incentives Act of 1996, the ethanol use as long as prescribed proposed legislation includes modifications are made. Previous increased funding for natural gas Clean flights were with engines only cer- vehicle research and development, Cities tified for the experimental or show and tax incentives for fleets who category. convert to natural gas, among Update For more information, call other things. Grazia Zanin, director of Baylor University’s Renewable Aviation House Renewable Energy Clean Cities Takes Fuels Development Center, at 817- Caucus 755-3562, visit the Clean Cities site to the Air on the Internet at www.ccities.doe. By the August recess, Since 1993, 50 areas have gov, or call 800-423-1DOE. 97 members of Congress signed on earned Clean Cities designation as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) voluntary pro- gram to increase the use of alter- native fuels. Recognizing the contributions airports can make toward building an alternative fuel infrastructure, DOE recently added a Clean Airports compo-

nent to the program. / PIX 04217 Virginia University West The Clean Airports program will target small airports to serve as home bases for alternative avia- tion fuel activities. DOE designa- tion will serve as recognition of an John Russell (left), Director (retired), U.S. DOE Office of Technology airport’s commitment to provide Utilization, and Dr. John Loth, Professor of Aerospace Engineering at West the support needed to meet its Virginia University (WVU), display the ethanol-fuel aircraft developed and program goals. operated by WVU.

Fall 1996 7 AFDC UPDATE

for the House Renewable Energy lanes reserved for high occupancy ported the effort were part of the Caucus that was spearheaded by vehicles (HOVs) at any time with solution. Representative Dan Schaefer any number of passengers. The “None of the natural gas (R-CO) earlier this year. new incentive to purchase an AFV transit buses ran out of fuel or “We have formed this caucus was part of Arizona’s House Bill were sidelined by fuel-related because of our support for renew- 1002 signed by Governor Fife problems,” said Michael Baly, able energy technologies which Symington this summer. president of the American Gas help offset fuel imports, build our The new law eliminates the Association’s Clean Air Team. domestic economy, create major state use tax on alternative fuels. “Our sponsorship proved that export opportunities and provide Instead, AFV owners will pay improved air quality and out- clean, inexhaustible energy for $100–$400 (depending on vehicle standing performance can go millions of consumers,” states the size; hydrogen, electric, and solar hand-in-hand.” The 77,000 beach letter that started the whole thing. vehicles are exempt) to purchase volleyball spectators were among The caucus has already spon- special AFV license plates. The the many Olympic guests who sored staff briefings and a law also allocates at least 31.5% were transported to and from Renewable Energy Expo that was of the state lottery fund to the their venues aboard the more than held on the Hill this spring. Arizona Clean Air Fund; some of 500 natural gas buses brought in For more information, contact this money will pay for HOV lane from all over the country. Natural Craig Cox in Representative signs indicating that AFVs are gas vehicles also supported the Schaefer’s office at 202-225-7882. allowed. In the future, any maps marathon races. the state publishes of the Arizona Electric vehicles were another Arizona Governor Signs highway system will indicate pub- way organizers improved the Alternative Fuel Vehicle lic alternative fueling facilities. atmosphere at the Games. In addi- Incentive Bill tion to the electric support vehi- cles, electric trams transported Beginning April 1, 1997, On the athletes around the sprawling Arizona residents driving an alter- Olympic Village. General Motors’ native fuel vehicle (AFV) can use Road EV1, an electric sports coupe that will be introduced in several Did You Know? California and Arizona markets Ethanol Windstars later this year, led the pack of According to the U.S. Olympic marathon runners as the This year the U.S. Environmental Protection official pace car. Agency, there are 176 areas in Department of Energy, the U.S. Postal Service, and the State of the nation that do not meet air Farewell to DOE Leaders quality standards for ozone, Illinois will demonstrate 15 Ford carbon monoxide, particulate Wind Star vans equipped with the Those in the Office of Tech- matter, sulfur, lead, or nitrogen ethanol Taurus engine. This limit- nology Utilization (formerly the oxides. The good news is that ed program will help Ford gain Office of Alternative Fuels) say since the list was last published experience with the necessary farewell to John Russell, Director, in April, three areas were engine recalibrations as well as Office of Technology, and Pauline removed from the list: provide one more opportunity to Labrie, Program Manager for Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH incorporate ethanol into another Certification of Higher-learning in (ozone); Greater Connecticut fleet application. Alternative Motorfuels Programs (carbon monoxide); and (CHAMP), as they retire. Youngstown-Warren-Sharon, Alternative Fuels Labrie directed the establish- OH-PA (ozone). Get the Gold ment of the CHAMP program, which helped expand the For an updated list, go to Transportation may have alternative fuels infrastructure by www.epa.gov/airs/nonattn.html been a big problem for organizers providing guidelines for certifica- on the Internet or call the of the 1996 Summer Olympic tion of programs that train National Alternative Fuels Games in Atlanta, but the technicians to service alternative Hotline at 800-423-1363. alternative fuel vehicles that sup- fuel vehicles.

Fall 1996 AFDC UPDATE 8

Russell has been a leader in the alternative fuels industry since his days with Southwest Research Institute. “It is with the greatest of sadness that we say good-bye to our Director of Technology Utili- zation, John Russell,” said Lee Slezak, Program Manager for the AFDC. “Those of us left at DOE have some pretty big shoes to fill, and I ask everyone in the industry to bear with us as we attempt to carry on the outstanding efforts of Pauline and John.”

How to Reach Us The AFDC Update is the official publication of the U.S. Have news to share? Comments on the new format? Department of Energy’s (DOE) Alternative Fuels Data Center Need more information? and is published by the Center for Transportation Technologies Let us know: and Systems at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory AFDC Internet Site: www.afdc.doe.gov (NREL), 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, CO 80401-3393. This e-mail: [email protected] newsletter is cooperatively produced by NREL and the Phone: 1-800-423-1DOE Alternative Fuels Hotline, which is operated by Information Fax: 703-528-1953 Resources, Inc., for DOE/NREL. Address: P.O. Box 12316, Arlington, VA 22209 NREL/SP-425-21529

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C I I T R E D E M ST A ALTERNATIVE FUELS DATA CENTER ATES OF P.O. Box 12316 • Arlington, VA 22209