November Question of the Month

Question of the Month: Which states have adopted the California Air Resources Board (CARB) aftermarket conversion certification requirements?

Answer: In the United States, all aftermarket conversion systems (except pure battery electric vehicles) must meet current applicable U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. EPA instituted these standards to assure that a vehicle’s tailpipe emissions do not increase as a result of the conversion. For more information on EPA standards for vehicle and engine conversions, please refer to the EPA Alternative Fuel Conversion website (http://epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fuels/altfuels/altfuels.htm).

CARB has set its own standards for alternative fuel conversion systems, which are more stringent than those of EPA. Manufacturers that wish to sell aftermarket conversion systems for use in California must meet CARB standards and obtain approval from CARB. While EPA accepts all CARB certifications to meet their standards, EPA certificates of conformity and tampering exemptions are not required by CARB and cannot take the place of CARB certification.

In addition to impacting the sale and use of aftermarket conversion systems in California, the CARB conversion standards also impact some of the 13 other states that have adopted CARB’s overall motor vehicle emissions regulations. The table below shows the states that have adopted CARB’s vehicle emissions standards in whole or in part. It also indicates whether each state enforces EPA or CARB aftermarket conversion standards.

State	Conversion Standards Enforced
California	CARB
Connecticut	EPA
District of Columbia	EPA
Maine	EPA
Maryland	CARB
Massachusetts	EPA
New Jersey	CARB (but also accepts EPA)
New Mexico	EPA
New York	CARB
Oregon	EPA
Pennsylvania	CARB (but also accepts EPA)
Rhode Island	EPA
Vermont	EPA
Washington	EPA

For more information about CARB aftermarket conversion certification, please refer to the following resources:

·         CARB Alternative Fuel Retrofit Systems Program: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/altfuel/altfuel.htm

o   This website links to a list of certified alternative fuel retrofit systems.

·         CARB Aftermarket Parts Database of Executive Orders:  http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/amquery.php

o   This database includes information about conversion systems that have been granted exemptions to emissions control system-anti-tampering regulations by CARB.

Also refer to the following resources for information about the requirements in other states that enforce CARB conversion standards:

·         Maryland

o   Maryland Statutes, Environment Code 2-1101 through 2-1108 (http://mlis.state.md.us/)

·         New York

o   New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Regulations, Chapter III – Air Resources, Part 218 (http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/2492.html)

·         New Jersey

o   State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Memorandum on Aftermarket Conversion Systems for Alternative Fuels (see attached)

·         Pennsylvania

o   Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Air Quality Policy on Clean Alternative Fuel Conversion Systems (http://files.dep.state.pa.us/AboutDEP/AboutDEPPortalFiles/RemarksAndTestimonies/NaturalGasVehicleConversionSystems/PCVConversionPolicyFinal.pdf)

For general information about conversion regulations, visit the Alternative Fuels Data Center Conversion Regulations page (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/conversions_regulations.html). Also see the NGVAmerica Aftermarket Conversion Systems: EPA and CARB Regulations website (http://www.ngvc.org/gov_policy/fed_regs/fed_AfterMarket.html).

Clean Cities Technical Response Service Team

technicalresponse@icfi.com

800-254-6735

Idle Free Fleets Conference

Join Utah Clean Cities and Kennecott Utah Copper to learn how to implement Turn Your Key, Be Idle Free in your fleet. The conference will include a keynote address from Governor Gary R. Herbert, an introduction to Kennecott Utah Copper’s new Idle Free Tool Kit, and panel discussions with representatives from business, industry, government and education who have embraced anti-idling in their fleets

Preliminary Agenda

Welcome  & Lunch                                          

Keynote – Governor Gary R. Herbert              

Kennecott Utah Copper Idle Free Toolkit
Break                                                                  

Break Out Session: panel discussions:            

          Government & Municipal Fleets     

          Business & Industry                  

          School Bus Fleets                      

Networking & Material Distribution          

Registration Information & Detailed Agenda to follow 

WEBINAR: 10 Critical Factors to Consider Before Choosing a CNG Vehicle Supplier

Sponsored by:

November 27, 2012, 11AM Pacific / 2PM Eastern Presented by: John Howell Senior Director, Marketing Westport LD     Investing in a CNG fleet is a major financial and operational decision. This webinar will give you further insight and information on the 10 critical factors fleet managers, and their financial and operations teams, need to consider as they go through the supplier qualification and selection process. Based on input from fleet managers and fleet management companies nationwide, these 10 critical factors will help decision-makers in your company avoid costly mistakes, minimize risks, and achieve positive return on investment in a shorter period of time. Understand how the non-OEM kit and convert process affects the manufacturer warranty Learn how calibration affects drivability Discover the right questions to ask about safety testing and crash testing Gain a financial framework to calculate the ROI on your CNG investment Understand how sales and service affect delivery and in-service times

Sign up NOW! It's FREE.

Brought to you by: Sponsored by:

Funding Available for Clean Fuel Projects

NEWS RELEASE October 31, 2011 Contact: Lisa Burr, (801) 536-4019 Division of Air Quality

 

Funding Available for Clean Fuel Projects

Salt Lake City, Utah – The Utah Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is seeking projects for a total of $250,000 in grants and another $250,000 in loans from the Clean Fuels Grant and Loan Program. Funds are awarded to help businesses and governments to purchase clean fuel technologies that reduce emissions and improve Utah’s air quality.

“A significant portion of Utah’s air pollution comes from vehicles,” said Bryce Bird, director of DAQ. “By providing incentives, the state can work with local governments and the business community to increase the use of clean fuel technologies to reduce emissions from vehicles.”

Since 2009, DAQ has awarded a total $981,658 in grants and $366,667 in loans to more than 21 different organizations.  Projects have included the conversion of cars, trucks, and shuttle buses to natural gas as well as the purchase of natural gas refuse trucks, freight trucks, transit buses, street sweepers, aerial truck towers, glass recycling vehicles, and refueling stations.

Proposals must be submitted to DAQ no later than 5 pm on Dec. 13.  The awards will be announced in March. 

For more information, visit: www.cleanfuels.utah.gov.

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Honda Civic Natural Gas - $2,000 Free Fuel Card

Go Natural Fuel Systems Training

Go Natural converts an F150 to Bi-Fuel CNG in just 2 hours and 15 minutes

Woods Cross, Utah - Go Natural CNG manufactures the least invasive, easiest and quickest to install CNG conversion kits on the market. Lucas Kjar, the President of Go Natural, knew that this statement was true. The challenge was developing a way to convince potentially customers. That’s when he came up with the idea of converting a vehicle in front of an audience.

During the recent Green Fleet Conference & Expo in Schaumburg, IL, Go Natural conducted a live demonstration in front of approximately 850 attendees. Typical vehicle conversions with other kits take three or four days to complete. However, with a Go Natural conversion kit and two technicians working together, a 2010 5.4L F150 XLT pick-up truck was converted to run on CNG and gasoline (bi-fuel) in just under 2 hours and 15 minutes. The use of an ultra-lightweight carbon composite tank from Quantum Technologies contributed to the record breaking speed of this conversion. Show management and attendees commented that this demonstration was the highlight of the show that is billed as the largest gathering of fleet professionals that are interested in improving efficiencies.

For over 20 years the Go Natural team had installed conversion kits that were manufactured by all the largest volume suppliers. When it came time to make their own kits, all of this hands-on experience really paid off. Go Natural conversion kits are faster to install for four primary reasons:

1- Bi-Fuel Rails and cups - Instead of drilling holes into the factory intake for the CNG injectors, Go Natural developed a patented fuel rail and dual injector cup system that installs into the factory injector ports.
2- Plug-and-Play Wiring Harness - Instead of splicing up to 35 wires, Go Natural developed a CNG wiring harness that simply snaps into the factory wiring harness.
3- CNG Hoses – Instead of bending, cutting, flaring and installing fittings on stainless steel lines, Go Natural manufactures and utilizes CSA certified CNG hoses.
4- Fuel Interface Module (FIM) – Instead of mounting and plumbing the check valve, CNG filter, ¼ turn valve, pressure gauge, transducer and other components along the frame rail, Go Natural combines all of these components in one patented and easy to mount FIM unit. The design also reduces potential leak points by more than 50%.

About Go Natural: Go Natural CNG specializes in the creation and distribution of CNG vehicle conversion kits, CNG hoses and hydraulic natural gas compressors for fueling stations. The company is an EPA certified small volume manufacturer (SVM). Go Natural’s conversion systems work with the factory powertrain control modules to optimize power and drivability while minimizing emissions. All OEM diagnostic and scan tool capabilities are retained. For more information call 801-281-4766 or visit www.gonaturalcng.com.

Photos courtesy of Lauren Fletcher.

  



Media Contact: Jack Falkenrath, 801-281-4766, jfalkenrath@gonaturalcng.com

October 2012 Question of the Month

Question of the Month: What strategies are used to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and improve overall transportation system efficiency?

Answer: VMT is a measure used in the transportation planning community and elsewhere to report the number of miles that motor vehicles are driven on the road. It is a representation of how much fuel a transportation system uses, the resources necessary to build and maintain that system, and the amount of time the regions’ inhabitants are spending on the road.

While the focus of Clean Cities is vehicle technology and alternative fuel use, many coalitions also work in their communities to reduce VMT and improve overall transportation system efficiency. Increasing efficiency through transportation demand management can help achieve local and nationwide goals for transportation (reduced congestion), energy (decreased petroleum use), and the environment (reduced emissions). Fleets can also benefit from strategies to reduce VMT through cost and time savings.

Transportation planners, vehicle fleet managers, and corporate decision makers can all play a role in transportation demand management. Strategies for reducing VMT include:

·         Ridesharing: Encourage people to share vehicles and commute together through employee rideshare, ridematching systems, and car sharing programs.

·         Mass Transit: Develop, improve, or increase ridership on buses, bus rapid transit, trolleys, rail, and ferry systems.

·         Active Transit: Eliminate vehicle use by supporting strategies that encourage biking and walking, including infrastructure development (e.g., bike lanes, sidewalks) and bike share programs.

·         Multi-Modal Transportation: Develop resources and infrastructure to enable commuters to split up their trip into multiple modes, including ridesharing, mass transit, and active transit (e.g., online trip planners, park-and ride lots).

·         Telework: Implement flexible work arrangements where employees can work from home (telecommute) or attend meetings from their computer (teleconference).

·         Route-Planning Software: Utilize tools that allow fleets, particularly delivery and pick-up services, to plan and follow the most direct route.

For more information on these strategies, visit the Alternative Fuels Data Center’s Transportation System Efficiency page (www.afdc.energy.gov/conserve/system_efficiency.html). In addition, the following resources may be of assistance:

• U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Transit Administration: www.fta.dot.gov/
  • FTA is the federal agency responsible for providing financial and technical assistance to public transit systems. The FTA website includes grant opportunities for transit agencies, information about relevant legislation and laws, and news about transit improvements around the country.
• Partnership for Sustainable Communities: www.sustainablecommunities.gov/
  • This partnership between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, DOT, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency aims to increase transportation options and lower transportation costs, among other goals. Their website includes grant opportunities and case studies about successful community projects.
• DOT, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Active Transportation and Demand Management (ATDM): ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop12032/index.htm
  • FHWA’s ADTM program focuses on research and resource development related to active transportation and demand management approaches. The website currently includes an overview of strategies. Moving forward, ATDM will provide lessons learned, standards, and best practices.
• Transportation Research Board (TRB): www.trb.org/
  • TRB provides information exchange and coordinates research related to U.S. and international transportation systems.
• American Public Transportation Association (APTA): www.publictransportation.org/
  • APTA provides information and resources about the benefits of public transit, including fuel and carbon savings calculators.

Clean Cities Technical Response Service Team

technicalresponse@icfi.com

800-254-6735

Odyssey 2012

Join us October 3rd at Weber State University for the new CNG Station Ribbon Cutting!!!!

WSU will be the 4th High Ed campus in Utah to embrace alternative fuels.

2012 Energy Development Summit

3rd Annual Southern Utah Air Quality Summit

Come join us for the 3rd Annual Southern Utah Air Quality Summit - September 21st!!

To RSVP contact Emily Siegel

 Agenda

 

Directions

 

Kaysville CNG Station Invite

Come join us for the Kaysville CNG Station Grand Opening!!!!

UCCC Committees

Utah Clean Cities Members are strongly encouraged to participate on at least one committee. They meet once a month throughout the year and report back to the Operating Committee. These Committees are a crucial element of the coalition. By pooling stakeholder resources, UCCC's ability to promote Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fuel Vehicle increases 10-fold. It is also critical communication conduit for stakeholders to stay informed about UCCC activities and for the Coalition to connect with its members. If you you wish to be added to a committee email list or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Irene Rizza 801-535-7736 irene.rizza@utahcleancities.org

Legislative Committee:

Mission: Be aware of alternative fuel users needs & and potential legislation affecting, promoting, or regarding the challenges of the  use of alternative fuels, alternative fueled vehicles, and other energy strategies to reduce our dependency on foreign oil.

• Provide the most up to date legislative information available on alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles.
• Partner with stakeholders to identify legislation on the local, state and national level that will benefit the use of alternative fuels.
• Gather successful alternative fuels incentive information from other states 
• Working with the Public Awareness Committee & higher education to host workshops on alternative fuels technology & successful legislative incentives
• Partner with the state motor vehicle registration to identify alternative fuel vehicles eligible for state and national incentives 
• Provide media with legislation information about alternative fuels

Expectations of the members of the UCCC Legislative Committee:

• Attend monthly meetings.
• Provide feedback and assistance on the event planning calendar.
• Whenever possible provide current legislative issues to events and or press conference supporting the need of green fleet incentives.
• Identify key partners for the committee
• Help recruit other members to the committee and new members to UCCC.
• Be a current member of UCCC and sign MOU.

Technical Committee:

Mission:  Address technical barriers, misconceptions and challenges regarding alternative fuels. Identify best practices and informational  resources for fleets and consumers about the use alternative fuels, alternative fueled vehicles, and other energy strategies to reduce our dependency on foreign oil.

• Provide the most up to date information available on alternative fuels and the equipment associated with those fuels.
• Educate  stakeholders about technical advances in products
• Work with the Public Awareness Committee to provide technical information to local educators for workshops on alternative fuels and other strategies.
• Identify local safety concerns and possible adoption of generic station labeling to meet at regulated codes
• Provide media with information about myths, facts and successful fleets solving technical issues. 

Expectations of the members of the UCCC Technical Committee:

• Attend monthly meetings.
• Provide feedback and assistance on the event planning calendar.
• Whenever possible provide an alternative fuel vehicle technical solution issue to  events and or a press conference supporting green fleet and green strategies.
• Help recruit other members to the committee and new members to UCCC.
• Be a current member of UCCC and sign MOU.

Public Awareness and Education Committee:

Mission: Promote the awareness and education of alternative fuels, alternative fueled vehicles, and other energy strategies to reduce our dependency on foreign oil.

• Display alternative fuels, vehicles & other strategies at events locally and statewide.
• Partner with stakeholders to promote companies’ green strategies.
• Provide education outreach workshops on alternative fuels and other strategies by partnering with high education and UCCC stakeholders.
• Provide media with press releases and educational materials.
• Education opportunities

Expectations of the members of the UCCC Public Awareness Committee:

• Attend monthly meetings.
• Provide feedback and assistance on the event planning calendar.
• Whenever possible provide an alternative fuel vehicle/ technology to the events and or a press conference supporting green fleet and green strategies.
• Help fundraise for events.
• Help recruit other members to the committee and new members to UCCC.
• Be a current member of UCCC and sign MOU.