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.