Monday, August 27, 2012

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.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

2012 Idle Free Awareness Month

September 2012 marks the 4th Annual Idle Free Awareness Month & six years of Idle Free for Utah Clean Cities Coalition!

Northern Utah Kick-Off: TBA
Contact: Irene Rizza, Communications & Northern Coordinator at 801-535-7736 or irene.rizza@utahcleancities.org



Southern Utah Kick-Off:
Contact: Emily Siegel, Intern at (435) 634-4359 or Emily.Siegel@utahcleancities.org
or Robin Erickson, Executive Director at (435) 634-4361

Idle Free Awareness Month
September 2012 Idle Reduction Campaign

ST. GEORGE, UT | August 20th, 2012 — Utahns statewide are gearing up for September’s Idle Free Awareness Month for a chance to breathe easier, save money, and clear the air. If each car in the United States were to reduce idling by 6 minutes per day, 3 billion gallons of fuel would be saved every year, amounting to $10 billion dollars in savings. On August 30th, Mayors throughout Southern Utah will be joining forces to declare September’s Idle Free Awareness Month at Santa Clara Elementary School. This campaign works to educate drivers about adopting these idle-free behaviors not just for the month of September, but hopefully they will be longer lasting driving practices that are incorporated into daily life.

A few simple steps are all it takes to reduce idling, improve health and our air quality. In fact, idling for more than 10 seconds actually uses more gas than turning the engine off and restarting it. The average driver idles for five to ten minutes a day, contributing to elevated air pollution levels that aggravate respiratory illnesses and damage health. The campaign especially focuses on educating drivers in school loading zones, as children are particularly susceptible to health problems associated with air pollution. Schools throughout Utah will be participating in the Idle Free Campaign by having volunteers hand out “Turn Your Key, Be Idle Free” decals and providing parents with information to raise awareness.

Utah Clean Cities has had substantial success with idle-reduction since 2008, especially through the training of Utah school bus drivers. On average, drivers decreased their idling times by 21 minutes/day, saving 92,000 gallons of diesel fuel consumption, amounting to a savings of nearly $300,000 for school districts per year.

One idling vehicle realistically isn’t the main culprit of air pollution, but thousands of them are. Small changes, awareness and individual actions, however, all add up to make a significant difference.

What can you do?

  • Avoid idling in loading zones and when waiting to pick up kids at school.
  • Limit engine warm up time to 30 seconds and don’t idle to keep air conditioner running.
  • Avoid drive-thrus. Instead, park and walk inside to order.
  • Spread the word to family and friends and start your own idle free campaign.
Press Conference Details

When:
Thursday, August 30th 2012 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Santa Clara Elementary School, 2950 West Crestview Dr., Santa Clara, UT 84765

Who: Samantha Mary Julian- Director of Office of Energy Development, Ivins City Mayor Chris Hart, Washington City Mayor Ken Neilson, Hurricane City Mayor Tom Hirschi, City of St. George Mayor Dan McArthur, Santa Clara City Councilwoman Mary Jo (Tode) Hafen, Santa Clara Elementary School 4th and 5th Graders, Southern Utah Air Quality Task Force members, and concerned citizens and parents.





Utah Clean Cities is one of nearly 100 Coalitions sponsored by the Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Program.  The mission of the Coalition is to reduce the use of imported oil, develop regional economic opportunities, and improve air quality. To find out more about the Clean Cities program go to www.cleancities.energy.gov. Learn more about the Utah Clean Cities Coalition at www.utahcleancities.com and the Idle Free Campaign at www.idlefree.utah.gov.


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

UCCC Stakeholder Meeting

Your time and opinions are valuable to us, and we are looking forward to seeing you again, sharing our successes, and setting the stage for open discussion on how to improve our role in Utah's network of alternative fuel champions. 


Directions:

From Salt Lake City/Northern Utah
:  Take 1-15 South to exit 295  UT-209/9000S.  Stay to the left on the exit ramp and make a left onto 9000 S.  Then turn right onto US-89 S/ State ST and the destination
will be on your right.

From Southern Utah:  Take I-15  North to exist 295 UT-209/9000S. Keep right at the fork and merge onto UT-209 E/ 9000 S.  Turn right onto US-89 S/State ST and the destination will be on your right.

From Western Utah:  Take I-80 East to I-15 South. Take I-15 South to exit 295 UT-209/9000S.  Stay to the left on the exit ramp and make a left onto 9000 S.  Then turn right onto US-89 S/ State ST and the destination will be on your right.

From Eastern Utah: Take I-80 West to exit 130 to I-215 S. Take exit 12 to merge onto I-15 S toward Las Vegas. Take exit 295 for UT-209/9000S.  Stay to the left on the exit ramp and make a left onto 9000 S.  Then turn right onto US-89 S/ State ST and the destination will be on your right.


Parking: Guests will park in the West parking lot located behind the stadium and walk in through the double glass doors. (Marked with a Blue "P" on the attached map)

There will be a sign in the lobby for the participants directing them to the Budweiser Club Real Room located on the second floor of the stadium.  You have the option to take the stairs to their left up one level, or riding the elevator to their right up on level.


If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. And remember, the more the merrier!

West Jordan CNG Station Now Accepts Fuelman Fleet Cards


Monday, August 6, 2012

CNG of America Closes Loan with Celtic Bank


Take a state-of-the-art company, cross it with a progressive lender, and what do you get?  Simply put, you get a winning deal. Add in a government agency grant and the result is an economical and environmentally friendly product delivered to the consumer. This is exactly what happened when CNG America out of Ogden, Utah, recently approached Celtic Bank for funding and Utah Clean Cities Coalition for a government-sponsored grant.

CNG America had sought funding to build upon a well-established track record. Success with one natural gas station naturally prompted them to seek expansion into new locations. Loan proceeds would cover construction costs and purchase of new equipment. However, when they approached their bank of 15 years with great numbers and a history of success, they were turned down. Luckily, that lender ultimately referred them to Celtic Bank, who upon reviewing the same history and numbers, jumped at the chance and approved the loan within two weeks:

“This is why Celtic Bank is so valuable to the local community and the country’s business health generally,” says Reese S. Howell Jr., CEO of Celtic Bank. “Where more conventional institutions see primarily risk, we see incredible opportunity. And as it turns out, this was not a high risk proposition at all. CNG of America shows a clear record of success, and we are just happy to be a part of it now.”

Owner and founder of CNG America, Kim Hugie, was highly complimentary: “Celtic was really positive from the get go,” he said, “and pretty much everything went as they predicted. Best of all, Celtic came through where our previous bank couldn’t.”

Interestingly, when asked what most impressed him about Celtic Bank, Mr. Hugie’s comments focused on customer service. His experience with VP of Business Development, Tom Green, was unsurpassed:

“The best thing about them is their customer service. I’ve never worked with anyone so responsive as Tom. If I called and couldn’t reach him, I had a return call or email almost immediately. I’ve never worked with any lender this attentive before.”

The Utah Clean Cities Coalition provided the final part of the equation.  As a part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities initiative, they work to reduce dependence on foreign oil, develop regional economic opportunities, and improve air quality. They also provide grants to help companies like CNG America expand their business. In the case of CNG America the grant was used as collateral reserve to make the funding possible. 


For more information on Celtic Bank please contact Tom Green at tgreen@celticbank.com or call at 801-712-6767

For more information on CNG America please contact Kim Hugie at Sales@CNG-America.com or call at 801-278-1600

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Odyssey Day 2012 Planning Meeting

Put Your Planning Cap On
Come join us August 14th to add your expertise to the coordination of  Odyssey Day 2012 in Utah!



      What: Odyssey Day Planning Meeting
When: August 14, 2012 @ 9:00am
Where: AVS                                        
255 W. 2950 S. 
              Salt Lake City, UT 84115
                    Why: Utah is an alternative fuel leader. This
                                is an opportunity to showcase Utah’s
                         many options to the community.

Please RSVP to Irene Rizza
(801)535-7736 or irene.rizza@utahcleancities.org