For more information on the S2G click here.
To read more about the series click here.
Monday, November 3, 2014
PERC Clean American Innovation: Freightliner
For more information on the S2G click here.
To read more about the series click here.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Clean Transportation Milestone: One Year, One Billion Gallons
The U.S. Department of Energy says its Clean Cities groups in the country - almost 100 of them - were involved in clean-transportation projects last year that collectively reduced petroleum use by 1 billion gallons."From 15 million gallons in its first year to a cumulative 6.4 billion through 2013, Clean Cities is shifting transportation away from petroleum - one vehicle, fleet and community at a time," says Clean Cities National Director Dennis Smith.
In addition to displacing 1 billion gallons of petroleum usage in 2013 alone, Clean Cities and its stakeholders prevented the production of 7.5 million tons of greenhouse gases last year - equivalent to removing more than 1.5 million cars from the road.
The Clean Cities program, which the DOE launched in 1993, is tasked with meeting an ambitious petroleum-reduction goal of 2.5 billion gallons a year by 2020.
More information about the program can be found here.
See original article here.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Fleet Voices Are Imperative To Passing Alt Fuels Legislation
As a lobbyist for Blue Star Gas, one of the Pacific Northwest's largest propane distributors, I've seen both the good and bad of the legislative process. Excellent fuel-neutral legislation and incentive programs have passed in some areas, but the region has also succumbed to very fuel-specific initiatives and poorly packaged ideas that hold alternative fuels back.
Although the Northwest is a region that takes pride in progressive alternative fuels legislation, there are three common barriers to overcome before ideas become laws.
The preeminent barrier is that legislators are not experts on alternative fuels. Although they often have an idea of what they'd like to accomplish with a certain bill, they have access to only a limited number of opinions on how to achieve it.
The second barrier is concern over the need for incentives, which comes from both lawmakers and the public. The common argument is that incentive programs threaten the free market by presumptively selecting specific fuels for success. If the legislation is fuel-neutral, this couldn't be further from the truth - but it's a powerful sentiment.
The third major barrier is opposition to legislation that would bring improved alternative fuels infrastructure. This creates a significant challenge for both fuel suppliers and fleet operators. A lack of refueling infrastructure complicates the decision to convert, and it's a factor regardless of a fleet's size. Although fleet operators know and understand this, legislators often do not.
In order to effectively combat these barriers and encourage the type of alternative fuels legislation that will benefit the industry, fleet managers, transportation directors and owners need to make sure their voices are heard.
Although legislation may not be your top priority, it's important to be aware and get involved - this is especially true for smaller fleets. Your added voice can help break through many barriers.
When legislators are considering proposals, such as the extension of a tax incentive for alternative fuels, it's often small fleets that are most affected. Lawmakers tend to hear from larger companies, and that's good - but they are also keen on hearing from the small business community. The local fleet's voice can make an impact where a lobbyist's simply cannot.
Fuel suppliers are often involved in advocating for the best possible legislation. Fleet managers should start a conversation with their fuel suppliers about what's happening legislatively and express a willingness to participate.
Once your supplier knows you're willing to help out, be prepared to take action. You may be asked to contact the office of a legislator or be available to testify in person and vouch for the positive effects of alternative fuels legislation. These are all important activities where your involvement can have a direct impact.
Throughout the Pacific Northwest, we've been able to accomplish significant legislative gains, including fuel-neutral policies that help encourage adoption through tax credits, loan programs and infrastructure development. The region's approach can serve as a model to other states.
Currently, there is legislative activity on the alternative fuels front in every Northwestern state. For instance, there are proposals for new low-interest loan programs to help fleet owners offset the initial cost of alternative fuel adoption. As fleet managers and owners know, there often isn't excess capital in the budget to convert an entire fleet to alternative fuels.
There is also legislation supporting a variety of infrastructure and conversion projects, both through grant funding and tax credits. These projects are vital to the alternative fuels industry, and fleet support of these initiatives is always welcomed.
Right now, less than half a percent of all vehicles on U.S. roadways are powered by alternative fuels. So, in summary: Our work is not nearly complete.
Be ready to add your voice to the mix - it's important. While legislators are hearing from many, it's often limited in scope. There is an opportunity for fleet managers and owners to make a significant impact by ensuring their voices are heard. Creating great alternative fuels legislation starts with small fleets, like yours, giving lawmakers a clear narrative on their powerful benefits.
Darren Engle is director of governmental relations for Blue Star Gas, one of the West Coast's largest propane distributors. An expert in alternative fuels who has worked in the propane industry for more than 25 years, Engle lobbies for propane autogas and other alternative fuels through the Pacific Northwest. He can be reached at dengle@bluestargas.com.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Green Fleet Conference Panel Debunks Alt-Fuel Misconceptions
Some myths and misconceptions about alternative fuels were debunked in a fun late-night talk show format Wednesday at the Green Fleet Conference in Schaumburg, Ill.
The conference, put on by Bobit Business Media publications including Heavy Duty Trucking andGreen Fleet magazine, runs through Thursday and covers alternative fuels and fleet efficiency for fleets of vehicles from passenger cars through heavy-duty Class 8 trucks.
Six Fuel Ambassadors took the stage with host Richard Battersby, manager of Equipment Services for the City of Oakland, Calif., and coordinator of the East Bay Clean Cities Coalition.
Some of the highlights of the responses from each Fuel Ambassador:
Greg Zilberfarb, consultant with the Propane Education and Research Council
PERC gets a fraction of each propane purchase to help develop new uses for propane. He pointed out that propane comes out of the ground alongside natural gas. "You can just say 'and propane' whenever you're talking about the abundance of domestic natural gas," he said. The school bus industry has been "a real sweet spot" for this fuel.
In response to a "man on the street" contention that propane stations are expensive to put in, he said, "You could put in a propane facility for less money than any other fuels including gasoline or diesel."
HDT Announces Top 50 Green Fleets of 2014
Heavy Duty Trucking announced its second annual Top 50 Greet Fleets at the Green Fleet Conference in Schaumburg, Ill., Thursday. A ceremony was held at the conference to honor these fleets for their sustainability efforts.
The Top 50 Green Fleets highlights fleets that are pushing for sustainability and making it a part of their everyday operations, such as improving fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions, using alternative fuels, building green facilities, etc.
Fleets were asked to fill out a short online survey about their vehicles, alternative fuels and other green initiatives. HDT's editors also considered other fleets that were clearly leaders in the field.
Fleets of all sizes, types and vocations were chosen. There will be a more in-depth article highlighting each of these 50 fleets in the November issue of Heavy Duty Trucking.
In alphabetical order, here is a list of Heavy Duty Trucking’s Top 50 Green Fleets for 2014:
- AmeriPride Services Minnetonka, Minn.
- Anheuser-Busch St. Louis, Mo.
- Carbon Express Wharton, N.J.
- Cargo Transporters Claremont, North Carolina
- Central Freight Lines Waco, Texas
- City of Columbus Columbus, Ohio
- City of Santa Ana Santa Ana, Calif.
- Convenience Transportation/Kwik Trip LaCrosse, Wis.
- Con-Way Truckload Joplin, Mo.
- C.R. England Salt Lake City
- Dillon Transport Burr Ridge, Ill.
- Eugene Water & Electric Board Eugene, Ore.
- Ever Fresh Farms Transportation Grand Rapids, Mich.
- FedEx Express Memphis, Tenn.
- FedEx Freight Harrison, Ark.
- Florida Power & Light Juno Beach, Fla.
- Frito-Lay Plano, Texas
- Gordon Trucking Inc. Pacific, Washington
- Green Energy Oilfield Services Fairfield, Texas
- Halvor Lines Superior, Wis.
- Hawaii Electric Light Hilo, Hawaii
- H.O. Wolding Amherst, Wis.
- Hazmat Environmental Group Buffalo, N.Y.
- J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida Fort Myers, Florida
- Knight Transportation Phoenix, Ariz.
- M&M Cartage Louisville, Kentucky
- Meijer Logistics Lansing, Mich.
- Melton Truck Lines Tulsa, Okla.
- Mesilla Valley Transportation Las Cruces, New Mexico
- MinStar Transport Eagan, Minn.
- NJN Express Memphis, Tenn.
- Nussbaum Transportation Hudson, Ill.
- NFI Cherry Hill, N.J.
- NV Energy North Las Vegas, Nevada
- Oakhurst Dairy Portland, Maine
- Ozinga Bros. Mokena, Ill.
- Pacific Gas & Electric San Francisco, Calif.
- Paper Transport Green Bay, Wis.
- Performance Transportation LLC Rice, Minn.
- Prime Inc. Springfield, Mo.
- Quest Global Kennesaw, Georgia
- RRR Transportation Calhoun, Georgia
- Saddle Creek Transportation Lakeland, Fla.
- Schneider Green Bay, Wis.
- Staples Framingham, Mass.
- Southeastern Freight Lines Columbia, S.C.
- UPS Atlanta, Ga.
- Walmart Bentonville, Ark.
- Waste Management Houston, Texas
CleanFUEL USA Adds Mass Flow Meter Technology
At the World LP Gas Forum in Miami this week,CleanFUEL USA announced the addition of mass flow meter technology to its line of propane autogas refueling dispensers.
Global demand is high for mass flow technology, the most advanced meter technology in the world, and CleanFUEL USA is offering immediate availability for the first time in the United States and worldwide. “There’s been a great demand in the world for this technology, more so outside the U.S.,” said Chrystelle Markley with CleanFUEL. “We thought it was important for us, as a technology leader, to bring this technology to the U.S.”
Demand for propane autogas is higher in European and Latin American countries. “There’s about 15 million vehicles in the world running on propane gas, in the United States less than 200,000 today,” said CleanFUEL’s Wayne Moore. “So, the U.S. has the opportunity to increase the amount of vehicles here.”
Mass flow meter benefits include no moving parts, greatly reduced maintenance, remote diagnostics and lifetime calibration.
Listen to an interview with CleanFUEL from the World LP Gas Forum: 
Interview with Wayne Moore and Chrystelle Markley, CleanFUEL USA
Interview with Wayne Moore and Chrystelle Markley, CleanFUEL USAMonday, October 27, 2014
CleanFUEL USA Announces Availability of Mass Flow Meter Technology
Meets Vast Global Demand for Mass Flow
Meters in Propane Autogas Refueling Dispensers
Showcases Technologically Advanced
Products at World LP Gas Forum, Booth #3
MIAMI, FL – WORLD LP GAS FORUM CONFERENCE AND EXPO –– October
27, 2014 – CleanFUEL USA, an industry leader in propane autogas technology, today announced the addition of mass flow meter
technology to its technologically advanced line of propane autogas refueling
dispensers. Global demand is high for mass flow technology, the most advanced
meter technology in the world, and CleanFUEL USA is offering immediate
availability for the first time in the United States and worldwide.
“The
United States lags behind in meter technology adoption and CleanFUEL USA is
shifting that with our offering of the mass flow meter and its vast benefits, a
game-changer for fleets considering or already utilizing propane autogas,” said
Curtis Donaldson, founder and managing partner of CleanFUEL USA.
“We heard often from our
global customers how the mass flow meter was improving their operations and
bottom line, and we are pleased to meet that international demand, and to bring
mass flow meters in propane autogas dispensing to America for the first time,”
he added
Mass flow meter benefits
include no moving parts, greatly reduced maintenance, remote diagnostics and
lifetime calibration – all at an
affordable incremental cost. Together with automated
process control and state-of-the-art communication interfaces (fieldbus
systems), the meter offers 99.9
percent accuracy, as opposed to the 96 to 98 percent accuracy offered by other
metering options, and a flow rate of 0 to 18 gallons per minute. Sourced
by Endress+Hauser, a global leader in
measurement instrumentation, the mass flow meter is now available in all
CleanFUEL USA refueling dispensers, including the P2000, 6000 and 7000 series.
On Display
at World LP Gas Forum
CleanFUEL USA’s P7000 and 2000 series dispensers with
mass flow meter technology and eCONNECT, the industry’s first complete fuel network
management system for electronic dispensers, will be on display in Miami at World LP Gas
Forum in booth #3 from October 27-30,
2014.
About
CleanFUEL USA:
CleanFUEL
USA, the nation’s first developer of liquid propane fuel injection systems, is
a leading manufacturer of propane autogas dispensers and refueling
infrastructure. Headquartered in Georgetown, Texas, with an engineering
division in Wixom, Mich., CleanFUEL USA celebrates more than 20 years of
innovation. Setting industry standards with a complete alternative fuel
solution, CleanFUEL USA products offer unsurpassed economic and environmental
advantages. Learn more at www.cleanfuelusa.com.
Connect on Twitter (@CleanFUELUSA), Facebook (facebook.com/CleanFUELUSA), YouTube (youtube.com/CleanFuelUSA1) and LinkedIn
(linkedin.com/company/cleanfuel-usa).
###
Contacts
Gina Manassero
(512) 553-2387
Crystelle
Markley
CleanFUEL USA
(512) 864-0300
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Thomas Built invests $11.8M to expand C2 production
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Thomas Built Buses is investing $11.8 million to increase capacity and add up to 236 new jobs to its Saf-T-Liner C2 operations.
The investment will expand C2 bus production at Thomas Built’s headquarters and production facility in High Point by upwards of 25%, company officials said.
The expansion of the company’s C2 operations and fabrication parts producing capabilities was supported by about $66,100 in economic incentives granted from Randolph County and the city of Archdale.
Also, $300,000 was granted by the city of High Point and Guilford County to support future growth, economic development and jobs in the High Point area that will be provided by Thomas Built’s investment in jobs, production expansion, robotics, health, safety and operational enhancements.
Thomas Built will also invest in additional training and lean processes to enhance continuous improvement and augment employees’ knowledge base, company officials said.
“Since 1916, High Point has been home to Thomas Built Buses, and we are thrilled to contribute to the local economic expansion,” Thomas Built President Kelley Platt said. “This new wave of investment will allow us to hire up to 236 individuals in varying disciplines as well as invest in our production infrastructures to better streamline our production process.”
Announcement of the investment follows the recent news that union workers at Thomas Built’s High Point facility ratified a new four-year contract. See original article here.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
EPA Welcomes Applications for School Bus Rebate Program
In order to reduce emissions, the fleet owners are eligible to apply for rebates for the replacement of school buses with engine model years of 2006 or older. As part of the 2014 School Bus Replacement Funding Opportunity, the EPA is offering approximately $3 million in rebate funding.
The EPA is accepting applications until Nov. 17. Applicants may submit one application for up to five buses.
More information can be found here.
CleanFUEL USA showcases propane autogas refueling technology at Southeast Alternative Fuels Conference and Expo
Who: CleanFUEL USA, an industry leader in propane autogas technology (Booth #106)
When: October 22-24, 2014
Where: Southeast Alternative Fuels Conference and Expo, Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, NC
What: CleanFUEL USA, in booth #106, will showcase its PRO 6100 refueling dispenser featuring eCONNECT, the propane industry’s first fully integrated fuel management system. eCONNECT allows fleet managers to economically monitor and control fuel inventories faster and easier than ever before with real-time data insight, flexible report storage and remote access capabilities.
Thomas Built Buses, in booth #209, will showcase its Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus featuring a Liquid Propane Injection (LPI) fuel system from CleanFUEL USA in the Ride and Drive portion of the show. The C2 offers school districts numerous benefits, including a reduction in emissions, lower fuel prices and exceptional power. The Ride and Drive will be held on Wednesday, October 22 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Brooke McWhirter, channel manager, School Bus Market with CleanFUEL USA will speak at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 23, during a breakout session entitled, “Passionate About Propane” in room 306A.
About CleanFUEL USA:
CleanFUEL USA, the nation’s first developer of liquid propane fuel injection systems, is a leading manufacturer of propane autogas dispensers and refueling infrastructure. Headquartered in Georgetown, Texas, with an engineering division in Wixom, Mich., CleanFUEL USA celebrates more than 20 years of innovation. Setting industry standards with a complete alternative fuel solution, CleanFUEL USA products offer unsurpassed economic and environmental advantages. Learn more at www.cleanfuelusa.com.
Connect on Twitter (@CleanFUELUSA), Facebook (facebook.com/CleanFUELUSA) and YouTube (youtube.com/CleanFuelUSA1).
###
Media Contacts:
Gina Manassero
(512) 553-2387
gtmanassero@gmail.com
Crystelle Markley
CleanFUEL USA
512.864.0300
crystelle.markley@cleanfuelusa.com
Monday, October 20, 2014
A World Stage for Propane Technology
Partnering with world-class manufacturers, the Propane Education & Research Council has helped commercialize an impressive portfolio of clean and efficient propane products that includes vehicles, commercial mowers, industrial and irrigation engines, business scale water heaters, combined heat and power units, and a variety of mobile and stationary generators, to name a few.
These investments in innovation are focused on meeting consumer desires for affordable equipment, appliances, and vehicles that deliver performance with a reduced environmental footprint. Of course, for the companies that fund PERC, these innovations also grow demand for propane and bring new customers to their businesses. Everyone wins.
At the World LP Gas Forum, meeting in Miami Oct. 28-30, PERC and our manufacturing partners will showcase these new products to a global audience with the goal of opening opportunities to expand the customer base and ultimately create economies of scale that promise to lower production costs to benefit consumers here and abroad.
During the forum, PERC’s new video series, Clean American Innovation, will present testimony from several PERC manufacturing partners: Exmark, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp., Generac, Kohler, Marathon, Origin Engines, Power Solutions International (PSI), and Roush CleanTech.
Of course, not every exciting new propane product is made in America. Creativity knows no boundaries. Because propane is used on every continent except Antarctica, at the gathering in Miami, I expect to see innovations and to learn from entrepreneurs from around the planet. They’ll be there. That’s been my experience since PERC hosted the WLPGA’s first Global Technology Conference in Chicago nearly a decade ago.
This forum deserves our attention for many reasons. The opportunity to showcase propane technology on a global scale is just one of them. And so is the chance to learn from others.
-RWW
Watch the archived Third Thursday webinar featuring Thomas Built Buses
Come hear more about why the propane autogas C2 is an excellent choice for your fleet!
As district budgets are tightened and environmental standards become as much of a public mandate as they are governmental, fleets are switching to alternative-fueled school buses to improve their image and their transportation budget. Thomas Built Buses is excited to expand their alternative fuel offering with its propane-fueled Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus, now in full production.
Built upon the popular Saf-T-Liner C2 model, the propane-fueled C2 provides outstanding maneuverability, state-of-the-art driver ergonomics and the greatest visibility among all Type C buses - with zero sacrifices in style, performance, safety or comfort. Under the hood, the propane-fueled C2 comes complete with an Allison 2300 PTS Series transmission, an 8.0 liter engine provided by Powertrain Integration and a fully-integrated CleanFUEL USA Liquid Propane Injection fuel system.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
The Outlook on Energy Is Better Infrastructure
This week I joined state energy officials at their annual Winter Energy Outlook Conferenceto talk about our nation’s energy environment.
As we know, propane production is skyrocketing. The U.S. Energy Information Administration and the pipeline operator Enterprise agree that propane will experience significant production growth over the next five years. Because propane is made right here in the U.S., it can help make us more energy secure and independent than we have been for generations. Propane also helps provide Americans with a cleaner environment to live and work in by producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels in most applications.
The consequence of having this abundant supply of propane and other renewable resources is a strain on our nation’s energy infrastructure, which is old, inadequate, and congested. The expanding natural gas supply and crude oil transportation from the Bakken formation are straining both our railroad service and pipeline system while disrupting the reliability of services of other key commodities like propane and grain. Another consequence is a doubling of our country’s export capacity for propane and other NGLs to take advantage of the plentiful supplies.
Investments are being made to modernize our nation’s energy infrastructure, with plans that include building a new smart grid and putting more pipelines into large consumer areas. As for exports, it’s important that Americans continue to have the propane they need, so that future generations can continue to enjoy energy independence and a clean environment.
-RWW
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Calcasieu school board pursuing alternative fuels
The city is pursuing options like propane and natural gas, but they need more partners in terms of volume to make it worthwhile.
That changed at Tuesday's Calcasieu Parish School Board meeting, when board members approved a resolution to pursue alternative fuel options like propane and natural gas.
"The action of the school board last night was merely a statement that yes we're willing to participate," said Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach.
Roach says the primary reason the city reached out to the school board was because of the number of school buses they have.
"Having the school board involved and working with us to develop an alternative fuel program and being able to look at their fleet of school buses as a potential fleet of vehicles that could be used for alternative fuel purposes certainly makes it a little bit more cost-efficient," explained Roach.
School board officials say they have about 400 buses in their fleet. Most of them use diesel fuel or regular gasoline.
But whether the fleet will be converted to propane or natural gas is yet to be determined.
"Both of them are being considered," said Roach.
However those buses won't be guinea pigs. The city has already adopted a few propane-run pickup trucks as well as lawnmowers.
While the city has their own propane fueling site, it's not open to the public. In fact, Mayor Roach says there's a big void in Southwest Louisiana, which has to change.
"In order for the private sector or the public sector to effectively use alternative fuels, they have to be able to get it. And the only place they can get it is at a fueling station," added Roach.
For now, Roach says they're in the early stages of planning, "What that program is going to be, how it's going to be set up, where the fueling stations are actually going to be located all of that still has to be determined."
While details are forthcoming, Mayor Roach says what is known at this point are the groups that have agreed to work together, which includes the City of Lake Charles, City of Sulphur, Calcasieu Parish, and now, the Calcasieu Parish School Board. See original article and video here.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Can propane school buses save money and provide other benefits?
The case study describes both the benefits and challenges of deploying propane in school bus fleets. Using Argonne National Laboratory's Alternative Fuel Life-Cycle Environmental and Economic Transportation (AFLEET) Tool developed for the DOE’s Clean Cities program, the results showed payback periods over which the fleet recouped the incremental costs of vehicles and infrastructure ranging from three to eight years. Overall, fuel economy for these propane vehicles is close to that of the diesel vehicles they replaced, on an energy-equivalent basis. In addition, the 110 propane buses described in the study eliminated the use of 212,000 diesel gallon equivalents per year of petroleum, and 770 tons per year of greenhouse gases. The study is available for download on the Alternative Fuels Data Center.
DOE’s Clean Cities program supported the development of the case study and AFLEET tool. Clean Cities works with a network of nearly 100 coalitions to advance the nation's economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local actions that reduce transportation-sector petroleum consumption. Clean Cities is an initiative of DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance America's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.
For more information about the study or the AFLEET tool, please contact Andrew Burnham, aburnham@anl.gov.
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