Cycle Three Hybrid School Bus Awards Announced

Twenty-five more hybrid school buses have been awarded in the latest round of applications for funding assistance. 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. Funds from this grant will support a number of school districts as they provide safe transportation while reducing emissions and lowering fuel consumption.

So far 99 buses have been awarded to 34 counties in the first two cycles of the grant's dispersal. Districts receiving buses in the third round are:

Breathitt County - 3
Crittenden County - 1
Kenton County - 3
LaRue County - 2
McCreary County - 1
Pike County - 15

Hybrid Electric School Buses Delivered to Madison County and Williamstown Independent

Four new hybrid electric school buses capable of improving fuel efficiency an average of 35% have joined Madison County’s fleet of 176 traditional school buses. Keys to the new hybrid buses were presented to Superintendent Tommy Floyd by Jeff Niblock of Whayne Supply in Richmond, KY on May 5, 2011.

“We are excited about introducing these hybrid buses into our fleet. We know the value they will add to the current efforts we are making in the area of energy efficiency and conservation district wide,” says Superintendent Floyd.

Williamstown Independent also took a delivery of their first two new hybrid electric school buses.  The buses were delivered on Friday, May 6th.  

Howell Speaks at ACT Expo

KCFC Executive Director Melissa Howell spoke at the Alternative Clean Transportation Expo in Long Beach, CA on Friday May 6.  The sessions at the expo provided the latest information on funding opportunities, regulatory policies, and inside details on new and emerging technologies in North America. The Expo Hall included a wide array of vehicles and technologies, plus a strong presence from OEMs, component manufacturers, station developers, fuel providers, and other important clean technology project stakeholders.  Howell discussed the Hybrid Horsepower for Kentucky Schools program, which is bringing the largest fleet of hybrid electric school buses in the nation to Kentucky school districts.

KCFC Quarterly Meeting at Shaker Village

The quarterly meeting was a success with over thirty of the KCFC’s officers and board members showing their support at Shaker Village on Friday April 29th. After a small presentation about the history of Shaker Village, members were updated on KCFC’s finances by Treasurer Vic Peek, and a general update was given by President Tracey Thurman. A presentation on the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass program was given by Emily Sartini. Executive Director Melissa Howell brought the members up to speed on the Hybrid Horsepower for Kentucky Schools project. Lunch was served after a leisurely walk to the dining hall in pleasant weather.
View photos of the meeting on our Facebook page.

Green Fleets of the Bluegrass Program Launched

Green Fleets of the Bluegrass aims to improve the environmental performance of vehicle fleets across Kentucky by reducing petroleum fuel use.

Fleets with significant green initiatives prior to the May 2011 launch of the program may elect an earlier baseline. Fleets without significant green fleet initiatives prior to program launch may elect May 2011 as baseline. Comparative data will be taken on November 1st of each year beginning this year. Participants will be rated according to a three-tier scale based upon seven criteria: vehicles, fuel, maintenance, operation, partnerships, strategy, and transparency.  

Improving fleets show progress in four of the seven areas. Achieving fleets show progress in all seven areas, and Leading fleets show continuous improvement in all seven areas.

KCFC members that submit baseline data by June 30th, 2011 will receive recommendations for initiatives to potentially improve year end ratings. Fleets may also submit baseline and year end data on November 1, 2011.

Find out more

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.