USDA Rural Development Invites Applications for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects

Agricultural Producers in Non-rural Areas are Eligible, Funding May Be Used for Flex-Fuel Pumps

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has invited agricultural producers and rural small businesses to apply for loans and grants to implement renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements.

“Biofuels and other renewable energy sources present an enormous economic opportunity for rural America and the rest of the nation,” Vilsack said. “President Obama and I recognize that we need to win the future by implementing a long-term strategy to meet our country's current and long-term energy needs. The funding I am announcing today will help make America's farmers, ranchers and rural businesses more energy efficient.”

USDA is providing funding for up to $61 million in guaranteed loans and $42 million in grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Funds are available to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses develop renewable energy systems, make energy efficiency improvements and conduct studies to determine the feasibility of renewable energy systems.

State Director Tom Fern said Kentucky’s Rural Development program has already funded several energy-efficiency projects using REAP funds, and his staff is able to process applications from agriculture producers and small rural businesses from a number of locations across the state. Click here for a list of Rural Development’s area offices and the counties they serve.

On Thursday, USDA issued a rule to clarify that the definition of renewable energy systems in REAP includes flexible fuel pumps, sometimes referred to as “blender pumps.” This clarification is intended to provide fuel station owners with incentives to install flexible fuel pumps that will offer Americans more renewable energy options. The Obama administration has set a goal of installing 10,000 flexible fuel pumps nationwide within five years.

The rule also makes the following clarifications:

• Grants are available for audits of energy improvements and studies to determine the feasibility of renewable energy systems; and
• Agricultural producers in non-rural areas are eligible for REAP assistance. Small businesses must still be located in rural areas. This clarification makes REAP eligibility requirements consistent with those of other USDA energy programs.

Since Rural Development's renewable energy and energy efficiency programs were launched in 2003, they have played a key role in helping more than 6,000 local businesses create jobs and make energy efficiency improvements. Under REAP, local businesses receive assistance to deploy wind, solar and other forms of renewable energy.

The deadlines for submitting completed REAP applications are June 15 and June 30, depending on the type of project to be funded. For information on applying for assistance, contact your local USDA Rural Development office or see page 20943 of the April 14 Federal Register, http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/pdf/2011-8456.pdf. A list of USDA offices is available at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/StateOfficeAddresses.html.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of nearly $149 billion in loans and loan guarantees. Visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov for additional information about the agency's programs or to locate the USDA Rural Development office nearest you.

Hybrid Electric School Bus Delivered in Caldwell County

A new hybrid electric school bus capable of improving fuel efficiency an average of 35% or, from 7 to 11 mpg has joined the fleet of 42 traditional school buses in Caldwell County.

The hybrid electric school bus, manufactured by Thomas Built Buses with the Eaton Hybrid System, was delivered on Tuesday, April 26. The keys to the new hybrid electric school bus were presented to Transportation Director Frank Brown by Bill Glisson, Whayne Supply.

Kentucky will have the distinction of having the largest hybrid electric school bus fleet in the nation. Caldwell County is one of the 30 districts awarded a share of the $13 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, adding a total of 213 hybrid electric vehicles to public school fleets across Kentucky. At approximately $150,000 per vehicle, hybrid electric school buses cost twice as much as traditional school buses. The grant offsets the differential costs for local districts.

“We are encouraging school systems throughout the state to improve efficiency while being environmentally conscious,” says Commissioner Terry Holliday with the Kentucky Department of Education. “The new technology will also provide learning opportunities for students on real-world issues like fuel consumption, air quality and transportation costs.”

The Hybrid Horsepower for Kentucky Schools program is a collaborative effort between the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition (KCFC) and the Kentucky Department of Education. Performance data for these hybrid electric school buses will be gathered by KCFC, a non-profit organization.

“Kentucky students will be interactive participants in the hybrid electric school bus project,” says Melissa M. Howell, Executive Director of KCFC. “KCFC plans to engage students through on-site energy teams that include teachers, students, administrators and local communities,” adds Howell.

Do Something Green Campaign Participates at Earth Day Festival

The “Do Something Green” campaign was featured during the Earth Day Festival at the Louisville Zoo on Saturday April 23rd. The campaign, sponsored by LG&E and KU, encourages individuals across Kentucky to take steps to protect and better the environment. This initiative is one that was developed by the Bingham Fellows Leadership Louisville. A goal of 100,000 “green somethings” is the goal.

KCFC Board Member Receives Environmental Leadership Award

KCFC Board Member Mike Mulheirn was awarded the Joan Riehm Environmental Leadership Award by Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, Friday April 22, 2011. The Riehm Award is presented yearly to individuals and groups who lead their communities to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

Mulheirn, the Director of Facilities and Transportation for Jefferson County Public Schools, has led a number of sustainability efforts for the school district. In addition to encouraging the use of geothermal heat and cooling, he also secured funding to retrofit the exhaust system on 178 school buses and pushed for the grant that brought 32 hybrid school buses to Jefferson County.

Hybrid Electric School Buses Take to the Road in Jefferson County

Whayne Supply President Monty Boyd, Brooke Pardue (Office of Congressman John Yarmuth),
Rick Capel (JCPS), JCPS Superintendent Sheldon Berman, Barry Zink (Whayne Supply & KCFC Board Member),
John Ackerman (JCPS),  Mike Mulheirn (JCPS & KCFC Board Member), and Frank Lewis, (VP Whayne Supply)
 took part in the celebration to bring 16 hybrid electric school buses to the largest school system in Kentucky.

Louisville, KY April 22, 2011 – Sixteen new hybrid electric school buses capable of improving fuel efficiency an average of 35% or, from 7 to 11 mpg have joined the fleet of 1100 traditional school buses in Jefferson County. Sixteen more hybrid school buses are scheduled to join Jefferson County’s fleet in the coming months.

The hybrid electric school buses, manufactured by Thomas Built Buses with the Eaton Hybrid System, were delivered on April 22^nd at 11:00 in front of Whayne Supply. The keys to the new hybrid electric school buses were presented to Superintendent Sheldon Berman by Frank Lewis, Vice President of Whayne Supply.

Kentucky will have the distinction of having the largest hybrid electric school bus fleet in the nation. Jefferson County is one of the 30 districts awarded a share of the $13 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, adding a total of 213 hybrid electric vehicles to public school fleets across Kentucky. At approximately $150,000 per vehicle, hybrid electric school buses cost twice as much as traditional school buses. The grant offsets the differential costs for local districts.

“We are encouraging school systems throughout the state to improve efficiency while being environmentally conscious,” says Commissioner Terry Holliday with the Kentucky Department of Education. “The new technology will also provide learning opportunities for students on real-world issues like fuel consumption, air quality and transportation costs.”

The Hybrid Horsepower for Kentucky Schools program is a collaborative effort between the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition (KCFC) and the Kentucky Department of Education. Performance data for these hybrid electric school buses will be gathered by KCFC, a non-profit organization.

“Kentucky students will be interactive participants in the hybrid electric school bus project,” says Melissa M. Howell, Executive Director of KCFC. “KCFC plans to engage students through on-site energy teams that include teachers, students, administrators and local communities,” adds Howell.

Clean Cities Funding Opportunity

The DOE Clean Cities Program has posted the Clean Cities Community 

Readiness and Planning for Plug-in Electric Vehicles and Charging 

Infrastructure Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to FedConnect.  

The FOA can be accessed at www.FedConnect.net by using the "Search 

Public Opportunities" button on the home page and searching for 

DE-FOA-0000451.  A button has also been added to the Clean Cities 

homepage (www.cleancities.energy.gov) to assist you in locating this 

information.

President Obama has a goal of putting 1 million advanced technology

vehicles on the road in the United States by 2015. In support of this

goal, and emphasizing electricity as a transportation fuel, this Funding

Opportunity Announcement seeks projects to plan and implement policies,

procedures, and incentives that facilitate that development. The

planning and policy activities will prepare communities for successful

deployment and implementation of plug-in electric drive vehicles.

Overall, this effort will help to decrease the nation's dependence on

petroleum and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by accelerating the

deployment of plug-in electric drive vehicles and electric vehicle

supply equipment (EVSE). This FOA will serve as a pilot program to

stimulate community based electric vehicle infrastructure readiness

planning and implementation activities in anticipation of larger

electric vehicle deployment efforts in the future. It does not address

the broader electric vehicle deployment initiative that was included in

the President's 2011 State of the Union Address and is not the $200M

electric vehicle deployment program included in the President's FY2012

budget request.

The deadline to submit an application is June 13, 2011.

There are several one-time actions you must complete in order to submit

an application in response to this Announcement (e.g., obtain a Dun and

Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, register with

the Central Contractor Registration (CCR), and register with

Grants.gov). Applicants who are not registered with CCR and Grants.gov

should allow at least 21 days to complete these requirements. It is

suggested that the process be started as soon as possible. Applications 

must be submitted through Grants.gov to be considered for award.  

For more information, use FedConnect and refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000451.

Also, please note that your DOE Regional PMCs and the DOE HQ Staff will

NOT be able to answer any individual FOA-related questions.  All

questions pertaining to this FOA must be submitted through the official

mechanism described in the FOA so that all potential applicants have

access to any responses provided.

Questions regarding the content of the announcement must be submitted

through the FedConnect portal. You must register with FedConnect to

respond as an interested party to submit questions, and to view

responses to questions.  It is recommended that you register as soon

after release of the FOA as possible to have the benefit of all

responses.  DOE will try to respond to a question within 3 business

days, unless a similar question and answer have already been posted on

the website.

Questions relating to the system requirements or how an application form

works must be directed to Grants.gov at 1-800-518-4726 or

support@grants.gov.

Governor Beshear announces Clean Diesel funding for Louisville Metro Government

Project will reduce emissions of air pollutants in Jefferson County
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Steve Beshear announced Wednesday that the Kentucky Division for Air Quality has awarded Louisville Metro Government $235,000 to reduce diesel emissions from its waste-hauling fleet. The funds were made available through the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emission Reduction Act.

“I commend Louisville Metro for working to achieve cleaner air in Kentucky’s largest city,” said Gov. Beshear.  “Reducing diesel emissions is a win-win for public health and economic development.”

The project will retrofit 13 refuse haulers with diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and closed crankcase ventilation systems (CCVs), reducing emissions of particulate matter by nearly 90 percent. Particulate matter is linked to increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and other serious health problems.
A diesel particulate filter replaces the muffler of the vehicle, trapping most of the fine particulate pollution before it can escape out the tailpipe.  CCVs reduce emissions from the crankcase into the engine compartment.
"We are excited about this award and the opportunity to take another step toward a more air-friendly fleet," said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. "Sanitation trucks are on the roads nearly every day throughout our community, so reducing emissions from these vehicles will benefit us all. Metro Government must set an example when it comes to improving Louisville's air quality, and this project is a big step in the right direction."
Retrofitting waste-hauling equipment generates net benefits for a large number of an area’s inhabitants, as those vehicles travel on a large percentage of the area’s roads.  Waste haulers also make frequent stops and starts, which increase emissions. This combination of DPF and CCV is desirable as it ensures the greatest possible level of emission reductions to the ambient air and is most protective of the vehicle operators’ health.
With an average useful life expectancy of at least 11 years, these trucks will remain in heavy use for many years to come; making the emission reductions achieved by these retrofits a long-term benefit for the community.

Greening Your Fleet Conference - June 8-9

Join the KCFC and the Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition for a conference that focuses on alternative transportation fuels and advanced technologies. It will be held at Belterra Resorts in Florence, Ind.

Industry experts from across the country will be on hand for one and one-half days to provide fleet operators with timely, credible information, including best practices for reducing emissions and foreign oil dependency.

"No matter your fleet size or core business, we guarantee you will take away something from your participation that will benefit you in the operation of your fleet." Kellie Walsh, Executive Director, Greater Indiana Clean Cities.

Find out more

UPS Installs Biodiesel Tanks for Ground Support Equipment

UPS installed two biodiesel storage tanks on the Worldport property in Louisville, on Monday, April 11.  The installation was part of UPS’s goal to reduce their carbon footprint 20% by 2020.  Bill Jacob, Vice President of Air Group Ground Support Equipment and Jaime Vincent of the Kentucky Soybean Association were on hand to talk with the media.

The 30,000 and 5,000 gallon tanks will enable UPS to provide biodiesel usage in ground support equipment.

Kentucky Hybrid Diesel/Electric School Buses (Cycle 3) RFA Now Available

The Kentucky Department of Education has received approximately $12.98 million in funding for project proposals from school districts to purchase approximately 213 diesel/electric hybrid school buses. The grant is to achieve maximum dispersal of school buses across the Commonwealth to test the practicality of hybrid technology in all geographic regions and pupil densities as this technology applies to Kentucky. Projects funded through this grant will assist in documenting the effectiveness of this technology for increasing fuel economy without increasing down time for maintenance.

The mission of Kentucky’s Pupil Transportation Program is to support school districts in providing safe and economical transportation for all students. Funds from this grant will support a number of school districts as they provide safe transportation while reducing emissions and lowering fuel consumption.

To access the RFA, click on the link below:
http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/Administrative+Resources/Grant+Information/Competitive+Grants+from+KDE/

The deadline to submit an application is 4:00 p.m. (EDT) on Wednesday, April 20, 2011.
Questions regarding the Kentucky Hybrid Diesel/Electric School Buses RFA can be directed to Leah Settle in KDE’s Procurement Branch at the following email address: Leah.Settle@education.ky.gov. The deadline to submit questions is 12:00 noon (EDT) on Tuesday, April 12, 2011.

KCFC Members Shine at Mid-America Trucking Show

KCFC members Eaton and Mercer Transportation made a fabulous showing at the 40th Mid-America Trucking Show this week in Louisville, Ky.

Mike Romine. whop represents Eaton's Roadranger System, listens intently to a visitor at the show.

Thomas Clark of Eaton works with Kiley and Kelsey from kyGREENtv as they gather footage and interviews for an internet television special.

Len Dunman of Mercer Transportation works on driver recruitment at the show.

President Visits UPS to Highlight Private Sector Energy Solutions

UPS Becomes Charter Member of National Clean Fleets Partnership

Speaking to a crowd of more than 300 employees and representatives of major American companies at the UPS (NYSE: UPS) facility here, President Barack Obama praised efforts to reduce the environmental impact of corporate trucking fleets, noting the potential of alternative fuel vehicles to lower the nation's dependence on oil and drive savings both from an environmental and business standpoint.
"If you're a business that needs to transport goods, I'm challenging you to replace your old fleet with a clean energy fleet that's not only good for your bottom line, but good for our economy, good for our country and good for our planet," said Obama.

Chairman and CEO Scott Davis welcomed President Obama to UPS, which with its "rolling laboratory" of nearly 2,000 alternative fuel vehicles was chosen to host the event. Pepsi-Frito Lay, Verizon and AT&T also showcased their alternative fuel fleets for the President. Those companies joined UPS and FedEx today in becoming charter members of the National Clean Fleets Partnership.

As members of the partnership, the companies - operators of more than 275,000 vehicles combined- pledged to support the Administration's energy security efforts and to develop new alternative fuel technologies in tandem with the government. The combination of private sector innovation with public sector support is seen as a way to drive efforts to lower America's dependence on foreign oil while growing the domestic economy and contributing a significant cost-savings to companies.

Making the transition to a clean energy economy will help us... in two very important ways," Obama added. "First, it reduces the chance that our families, our businesses and our economy will be held hostage to the whims of the oil market. Second, investments in clean energy have the potential to create an untold number of new jobs and new industries right here in the United States."

During today's event, UPS Chief Sustainability Officer Scott Wicker guided President Obama, Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on a tour of UPS vehicles, including plug-in all-electric and compressed natural gas trucks. Those technologies make up only a fraction of an alternative fuel fleet that includes hydraulic hybrid, electric hybrid, propane and liquefied natural gas for heavy trucks.

"Though many hurdles still remain and the path to success will not be easy, the sustainable business benefits of alternative fuels cannot be under-emphasized," said Davis. "We must deal with the short-term problems of cost differentials and infrastructure to prepare for our long-term future."

UPS's alternative fuel fleet recently hit a milestone of 200 million miles traveled since 2000 and for the first time, there now are alternative fuel and technology choices for virtually all forms of trucks on the ground. As Wicker noted to President Obama during their tour, there is no one-size-fits-all solution currently available for every situation. Investment in a broad spectrum of choices is vital to ensuring long-term program viability and to making real reductions in foreign petroleum consumption.

Obama's focus on private-public interaction may bode well for companies that approach energy security and sustainability campaigns as a natural part of business planning. Though technologies like liquefied natural gas can help to conquer even the most demanding conditions at a significant cost-savings, government incentives are still important to offset the initial high cost of vehicle and infrastructure investment. Economies of scale will develop over time as demand increases, making it a win-win situation for all parties involved.

On Wednesday, Obama urged Congress and members of the American business community to embrace a series of long-term energy security goals. Obama's strategy is closely aligned with many initiatives already underway at UPS and if achieved, would result in more alternative fuel vehicles on the road as well as additional fuel-efficiency standards.

From the introduction of its first electric vehicles in 1935 to the establishment of the industry's first sustainability report in 2003, UPS has consistently paved a path of innovation and growth potential in the environmental arena. The company pursues a balance of economic prosperity, social responsibility and environmental stewardship. This integrated approach guides the company as it develops strategy, sets goals, measures performance and takes action.