PERC Clean American Innovation: Freightliner

In this video from the Propane Education and Research Council, Freightliner shows off the Propane S2G truck designed from the frame to the engine to run on Propane Autogas. The company designed its propane applications in conjunction with companies who were in part funded by a grant from PERC.

For more information on the S2G click here.

To read more about the series click here. 

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.

Fleet Voices Are Imperative To Passing Alt Fuels Legislation

Strong alternative fuels legislation is important for fleet managers and transportation directors because tax incentives and low-interest loan programs can offer the added boost they need to jumpstart a vehicle conversion program.

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.

See original article here.


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.

He asked several questions of the ambassadors, and turned to "man on the street" interviews that highlighted some of the misconceptions about alternative fuels, such as diesel being dirty and natural gas being dangerous. It soon became obvious that each "interview" was the same person, in a variety of guises (including two females) in a nod to the event's nearness to Halloween.Battersby pointed out that there is a "dizzying choice" available today in fuels: CNG, LNG, RNG, DME, E85, hydrogen, battery electric, plug-in electric, biodiesel, renewable diesel, algae diesel, clean diesel – "And of course we've got dilithium crystals and the flux capacitor drive."

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."

Read more here.

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

See original article here.

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

See original article here.

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).

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Contacts

Gina Manassero

(512) 553-2387

gtmanassero@gmail.com

Crystelle Markley

CleanFUEL USA

(512) 864-0300

crystelle.markley@cleanfuelusa.com