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NJ Clean Cities Coalition
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July 2012
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NJCCC July Newsletter
Please read below for a couple of pieces of info that will be of interest, and some notes of recent and upcoming events.
2012 Surface Transportation Act
Recently, President Obama signed the 2012 surface transportation act, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act. Like the other surface transportation acts, this legislation authorizes funds for highway construction, and highway safety and public transportation programs. MAP-21 has a few implications for funding for Clean Cities portfolio items, specifically electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and natural gas fueling stations:
Surface Transportation Funding (STF). Section 1108 adds electric vehicle and natural gas vehicle infrastructure to the list of projects eligible for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s STF program.
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program. Section 1113 adds a special note to the law stating that CMAQ funding and 23 U.S. Code 149 may be used to establish EVSE or natural gas vehicle fueling stations. As explained on the CMAQ website, alternative fuel infrastructure previously qualified for CMAQ funding, with some restrictions. However, this change to the law makes it very clear that states may choose to use the funds for EVSE and natural gas fueling infrastructure.
Parking for Commercial Vehicles on the National Highway System. Section 1408 authorizes highway projects to address the shortage of long-term parking for commercial motor vehicles on national highways. It states that funding for these projects may be used to establish EVSE or natural gas vehicle fueling stations at these parking facilities.
Carpool Parking Facilities. Section 1513 states that federal financial assistance for fringe and corridor parking facilities (see 23 U.S. Code 137) may be used to add EVSE or natural gas fueling stations to parking facilities meant for carpools, with some restrictions.
Forest Development Roads and Trails. Section 1513 also states that federal funds for forest development roads and trails (see 23 U.S. Code 205) may be used for EVSE and natural gas vehicle fueling stations in vehicular parking areas.
Lastly, on a more general note, Section 20011 states that projects related to alternative fuels are eligible for Department of Transportation research support (see 49 U.S. Code 5312).
Changes to the Alternative Fueling Data Center Website (AFDC)
The Alternative Fueling Data Center's website is undergoing some updates. Below is a summary of all the new updates. Please contact us if you have any trouble navigating the new website!
- Maps & Data: The new Maps & Data section (formerly Data, Analysis, and Trends) allows users to view and customize data through interactive charts and graphics and download the chart images as well as the data in an Excel spreadsheet.
- Case Studies: Formerly part of Fleet Experiences and Videos in the old AFDC, case studies is an expanded searchable collection of written and video case studies and success stories.
- Ten Ways to Get Started: This new homepage feature introduces new stakeholders to the strategies, fuels, and technologies they can use to reduce petroleum use. It also points them to key tools and information throughout the AFDC.
- New and Updated Content: Find newly updated technical content throughout the entire site, across all vehicles, fuels, and technologies. Also be sure to visit the entirely new Conserve Fuel section, which provides drivers and fleets with even more strategies to reduce fuel use.
- Station Locator: The Alternative Fueling Station Locator has a new, more user-friendly design and provides station counts on the spot.
- Related Content: As you’re navigating through the site, you’ll see that many pages feature related content on the right-hand side, with suggested maps, data, publications, case studies, and tools that may assist a user in the deployment the strategy or technology featured on a given page.
- Mobile Web Design: The new AFDC is viewable not only from a personal computer, but also on all manner of devices and browsers, including tablets, e-readers, and smart phones. The site automatically adjusts to the device you’re using. Most tools and all content pages will work on your mobile devices.
The National Governor's Association
Electric Vehicle Workshop
At The National Governor's Association Electric Vehicle Workshop which took place in Washington DC on July 10-11th, representatives of Governor's offices from across the country joined with a limited number of Clean Cities Coordinators, including Chuck Feinberg, to share best practices from regional, state and local initiatives designed to facilitate the roll-out of electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PEVs). This Workshop included teams from 17 states and a number of excellent speakers. In addition to NJCCC, NJ was represented by Tyler Yingling of Governor Christie's DC staff.
The Compelling Case for NGV Workshop
The Compelling Case for NGV Workshop, which took place on Wednesday, July 12th was a huge success. There was approximately 170 people in attendance and a wide array of participants. In attendance were vehicle retrofitters, gasoline retailers who were interested in the fuel, fuel providers, utilities, current CNG users, and a vareity of other interested participants. It was a very well put together and educational one-day event and a great networking opportunity. The Curriculum Presenter/Moderator, Stephe Yborra, who is the Director of Market Analysis for the Education & Communications Clean Vehicle Education Foundation was the perfect moderator for the event, as his topics and presenters covered every area of the NGV realm in great detail, for the amount of time that was alloted to each topic. If you came out to the event we hope you enjoyed it and learned some new things about CNG and NGV. Special thanks to NJ Clean Cities Coalition's co-hosts: The NJ Gasoline, C-Store and Automotive Association, and the Greater Philadelphia Clean Cities Coalition.
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Upcoming Events
The New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition is happy to invite you to join us at the events listed below. Each of these will provide significant opportunities to learn more about alternative transportation fuels, to see actual vehicles of all classes, to network with industry professionals and with fleet managers, and to hear about available financial incentives. Please join us!
Release of Environment New Jersey's new Report:
Charging Forward - The Emergence of Electric Vehicles and Their Role in Reducing Oil Consumption
July 17 11:00
Join us for this special event at Nauna's Bella Casa at 148 Valley Road in Montclair. Electric vehicles are posied to transform transportation in New Jersey and can significantly reduce our dependence on oil while delivering critical environmental benefits, according to a new report that will be released by Environment New Jersey. The report is being released as the Obama administration develops historic clean car standards which will further promote electric vehicles. Tom Moloughney, a restaurant owner in Montclair, is installing an innovative charging station in his restaurant’s parking lot. New Jersey should follow Tom’s lead by investing in electric car infrastructure to help incentivize owning electric vehicles. Suggestions to policymakers, details on the new mileage standards, and the economic and environmental benefits of electric cars will all be discussed. Speakers will include:
Doug O'Malley and Julia Nick of Environment New Jersey
Chuck Feinberg, NJ Clean Cities Coalition
Gray Russell, Montclair Environmental Affairs Coordinator
Join the NJ Technology Council as they lead a Tech Tour of the Environmental Protection Agency's Region 2 Laboratories with a specific focus on their Stormwater Pavement Project, Rain Gardens and water conservation projects. Following the tour (10 AM) a panel will be held focusing on the Energy Master Plan - Implementation and Implications.
New Jersey is required to do an Energy Master Plan every 10 years and to do updates every three years. Last year's update of the plan, representing all relevant state policymaking agencies, began with stakeholders meetings in the summer and fall of 2010, release of the Plan in June, 2011 and Public Hearing and reports from four Work Groups in the spring and summer of 2011. For the first time ever, the revised Plan included an empahsis on the need for alternative transportation fuels.
MaryBeth Brenner, Director of Economic Development for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilties will update us on the plan in it's first year of Implementation and share with us implications of what will happen in the near future. Responding to her comments will be a panel including:
Chuck Feinberg, Chairman, NJ Clean Cities Coalition
Serpil Guran, Executive Director, Rutgers University Eco-Complex
Ed Pliner, CFO, GeoPeak Energy
and others to be announced
Moderator: Kevin Pianko, Partner, WeiserMazars LLP
Sponsored by the NJ Technology Council, for or more information or to register click here! To be held at the US Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 Laboratory
2890 Woodbridge Ave, Bldg. 209, Edison, NJ 08834
Hybrid, Electric and Advanced Truck Users Forum National Conference & Expo (HTUF2012) - Now in its 12th year, the Hybrid, Electric and Advanced Truck Users Forum National Conference & Expo is set to be the premier meeting-of-the-minds for the future of the work truck industry. HTUF 2012 will focus on educating, training, supporting and guiding the next generation of medium- and heavy-duty fleet professionals. HTUF 2012 will feature:
· A two-day, user-focused agenda
·Over 40,000 square feet of technology exhibits and vehicle displays
·The world's largest medium- and heavy-duty Ride and Drive
·Gala Reception at the NASCAR Hall of Fame
Charlotte, NC, September 18-20, 2012, for more info: www.htuf2012.org
Additional events are being planned for the remainder of the year, look out for our event reminders!
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The NJ Clean Cities Coalition is a NJ Non-profit corporation
and an IRS501(c)(3) tax exempt entity.
We rely on and appreciate your support for our programs!
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New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition
P.O. Box 223
Rockaway, NJ 07866
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