Clean Bus Update



	Senate Approves Diesel Emissions Reduction California Denied Ethanol Waiver CNG Buses Join San Diego Fleet LA Port Seeks to Modernize Fleet Louisiana Goes Hybrid EPA Begins In-Use Emissions Testing Program FedEx Adds Hybrid Trucks to Fleet EPA Delays Highway Diesel Rule Compliance Island Transit Testing Hybrid Buses London’s Congestion Tax Helps Commuters Breathe Easier Scientific Panel Urges Strengthening of PM Standard CARB holds Biodiesel Work Group Meeting Maine Cleans Up Its School Buses Events Submit Your Clean Bus Story Click here for Print Version

Scientific Panel Urges Strengthening of PM Standard A 22-member Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Air Science Advisory Committee has recommended that the EPA strengthen the federal fine particulate matter standard (PM _2.5) because of growing scientific evidence related to the negative health impacts of fine particulate matter. The panel's recommendations included a new annual standard for PM _2.5 between 13 and 14 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) from the current 15 µg/m³ , and a strengthened 24-hour standard between 30 and 35 µg/m³. The current EPA 24-hour standard for fine particulates is 65 µg/m³. They also recommended the development of a new standard for particles sized between 2.5 and 10 microns. EPA currently has national air quality standards for coarse particles (size - 10 microns or larger) and fine particles (size - 2.5 microns or smaller). The panel recently reviewed an EPA report “Review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter: Policy Assessment of Scientific and Technical Information” and based their new recommendations on the data from the report. In April, a coalition of 100 doctors, scientists, professors, and researchers sent a letter to the EPA urging the agency to strengthen its PM _2.5 standard. They recommended strengthening the 24-hour fine particle standard to between 25-35 µg/m³ from the current 65 µg/m³and the annual fine particle standard to between 12-14 µg/m³ from the existing 15 µg/m³.(See related story) Under the Clean Air Act, EPA is required to review and revise standards for criteria pollutants every five years. The current fine PM standards were set in 1997. Under a consent decree with environmental groups, the EPA has until December 2005 to determine if these standards need revision, with a final decision due on September 27, 2006. In December 2004, EPA designated 225 counties (partially or entirely) in 20 states to be in non-attainment of the PM 2.5 standard. For more information on the Clean Air Science Advisory Committee recommendations see: http://www.eesi.org/publications/Newsletters/Clean%20Bus%20Update/EPAPMreport.pdf
Louisiana Goes Hybrid In June 2005, Louisiana joined the increasingly popular hybrid bus club with the addition of the first hybrid diesel-electric bus to the SporTran Transit fleet in Shreveport. The hybrid bus which cost approximately $517,000 was supported by grants from the Federal Transit Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency Supplemental Project. The Gillig Corp.-manufactured bus houses a GM-Allison hybrid propulsion system and is one of seven new buses added to the fleet. The other six buses were regular diesel buses. In related news, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA) is also exploring options to purchase hybrid buses. The city is seeking to add four hybrid diesel-electric buses to its fleet as part of New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin’s campaign to reduce carbon emissions. The buses are likely to cost between $550,000-600,000 and the agency is expected to issue a request for bids later this year. NORTA hopes to add the buses to the fleet in 2006. If the buses prove successful, the transit agency plans to add an additional 75 buses to the fleet. More information on the SporTran hybrid bus available at: http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/adv_tech/100_news/hybridbus_060805.html
California Denied Ethanol Waiver The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has rejected an appeal by California , New York and Connecticut to waive requirements for gasoline additive in their states. The three states had requested a waiver based on the contention that using an ethanol additive in gasoline would increase emissions of smog forming pollutants and exacerbate air pollution problems. The EPA concluded that California had “not demonstrated that the oxygen content requirement prevents or interferes with the state’s effort to achieve clean air.” New York and Connecticut failed to submit technical data necessary to evaluate the impact of the waiver on emissions. Beginning in 1995, Clean Air Act requirements necessitated the use of oxygenates in gasoline to reduce emissions from motor vehicles in metropolitan areas suffering from serious air pollution problems. The law did not specify the type of oxygenate, but almost 87 percent of the gasoline was reformulated with methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) or ethanol as an additive. However, in 1999, California banned the use of MTBE based on concerns of groundwater contamination from MTBE storage tanks. As a result, the state was left with the option of using ethanol as an alternative additive. In 1999, California requested a waiver from the EPA citing increased smog forming emissions from ethanol as a concern. The waiver was subsequently denied by the EPA in 2001 because California failed to demonstrate the negative impact of ethanol on regional air quality. California sued the EPA, as a result of which, the 9^th Circuit Court vacated the original decision, directing the EPA to conduct additional analysis and review new information submitted by the state. For more information on the EPA’s waiver decision, please see: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/rfg_regs.htm#waiver
Island Transit Testing Hybrid Buses Island Transit in Galveston , Texas has been testing three hybrid propane electric buses on several routes since April 2005. The 22-foot buses manufactured by Ebus are powered by a propane-fueled Capstone MicroTurbine and equipped with a series hybrid-electric power train. They have a capacity for 20 passengers and can travel approximately 250 miles on a tank of propane. If the test outcomes are satisfactory, the transit agency will purchase the buses. Propane hybrid buses are also being tested in Knoxville and Gatlinburg in Tennessee .
London’s Congestion Tax Helps Commuters Breathe Easier A congestion tax imposed by London , UK has helped improve traffic flow and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Speaking at a UN World Environment Day conference, London Mayor Ken Livingston told an international congregation of mayors that a $9 fee imposed on commuters driving into central London had resulted in the increased use of public transportation. The congestion fee, which was introduced in February 2003, requires drivers to purchase passes and register their vehicles in order to drive into central London . As a result, according to recent government estimates, congestion has decreased by almost 30 percent. Mayor Livingston suggested that congestion taxes in large metropolitan areas are one way to alleviate traffic clogging, promote the use of public transportation, and reduce emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases. In the United States , the concept of congestion taxes has remained largely unpopular. Some cities like San Francisco and New York charge for the use of bridges during peak traffic. However, congestion taxes have met with opposition from business interests who contend that the levy is a disincentive for locating downtown. Many US metropolitan areas, including Los Angeles , Washington DC and the Chicago metro areas, suffer from severe traffic congestion. According to the 2005 Urban Mobility Report released by the Texas Transportation Institute, traffic congestion costs Americans $63.1 billion each year.
LA Port Seeks to Modernizes Fleet The Port of Los Angeles has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Gateway Cities Council to provide an additional $4.7 million over the next three years to the Los Angeles (LA) Port Truck Fleet Modernization Program. The program, which was instituted in 2003 to clean up dirty diesel vehicles in the LA port, provides $20,000 to $50,000 in incentives for commercial truck owners to replace pre-1984 trucks with newer ones. Since 2003, the program has helped replace over 203 trucks at a cost of $14.7 million. These replacements will enable significant reductions in pollutants, including 812 tons in nitrogen oxide emissions reductions and 203 tons in particulate matter reductions, over the next five years. The port expects to replace 400-500 trucks by 2008. More information available at: http://www.lacity.org/portofla/press/portoflapress31030023_05312005.pdf
CNG Buses Join San Diego Fleet San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) recently added 47 new compressed natural gas buses (CNG), the first new additions to its fleet in over 15 years. Manufactured by New Flyer Industries, the 40-foot buses are powered by compressed natural gas and cost approximately $350,000 each. The purchase was facilitated by federal, state and local grants. Fore more information on these buses, go to: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20050603-9999-1m3bus.html
EPA Begins "In-Use" Emission Testing Program The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a new emission testing program for highway heavy duty diesel vehicles like trucks and buses. The program, which was instituted in collaboration with the California Air Resources Board and diesel engine manufacturers, is expected to be more accurate, effective and less expensive than the current program. Current emission testing procedures require removal of the diesel engine from the vehicle in order to measure emissions. This hampers the efficacy and accuracy of the measurements. The new "in-use" testing procedures will allow for the attachment of portable measurement devices to trucks and buses in operation to assess hydrocarbon, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and particulate matter emissions. Initially, the program will operate on a pilot basis and beginning in 2007 expand nationwide . More information on this testing program available at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/b1ab9f485b098972852562e7004dc686/e187237eab75308885257015005f9dc6!OpenDocument
FedEx Adds Hybrid Trucks to Fleet FedEx Express in partnership with Eaton Corporation and Environmental Defense announced plans to add 75 new hybrid trucks to its nation-wide fleet by 2006. FedEx Express currently operates 18 hybrid trucks in New York , California and Florida . The OptiFleet E700 trucks are equipped with Eaton Corporation’s parallel hybrid electric power train and a four-cylinder diesel engine. Utilimaster, Hitachi and Detroit Diesel supplied other key components of the truck. Tests indicate that the hybrid truck achieves to 96 percent reductions in particulate matter, 65 percent reductions in nitrogen oxide emissions and an increase in fuel efficiency of 57 percent when compared to a 1999 vehicle. For more information on the FedEx hybrid trucks go to: http://www.fedex.com/us/about/responsibility/environment/hybridelectricvehicle.html
CARB Holds Biodiesel Work Group Meeting The California Air Resources Board (CARB) held a Biodiesel Workgroup public meeting on June 8, 2005 to address several issues including emission evaluations, updates on CARB’s informal verification of biodiesel and changes to the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standard. The meeting was well represented with biodiesel stakeholders, including representatives from the California Energy Commission, US Navy, South Coast Air Quality Management District, National Biodiesel Board (NBB), Engine Manufacturers Association, local biodiesel suppliers and users. New research on the impact of biodiesel use on nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions was presented by Bob McCormick, a senior engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL). He indicated that testing procedures impacted the results of emission tests significantly. For example, recent tests using the bus chassis dynamometer testing procedure suggest decreased NO_x emissions when compared to the engine dynamometer testing procedure which suggests increases in NO_x emissions. He stressed that there is uncertainty regarding the impact of biodiesel and further tests are needed to make assessments. He indicated that NREL in partnership with NBB, will be studying the impacts of biodiesel use on new engines which are subject to tighter emission standards than existing diesel engines. The group was updated on the status of the ASTM standard modifications for biodiesel. A new stand-alone standard for B20 (biodiesel 20 percent, petroleum diesel 80 percent) is under development as well as the incorporation of 5 percent biodiesel in the current ASTM standard for petroleum diesel (D975). CARB officials Gary Yee and Bob Okamoto indicated that the informal verification of B20 is likely to take place later in 2005. California requires the phase in the use of “Best Available Control Technology (BACT)” to reduce diesel particulate matter (PM) from fleets owned and operated by public agencies. However, CARB is yet to recognize biodiesel as an alternative fuel. Therefore it cannot be used either as an emission reduction strategy or in conjunction with other emissions reduction devices in public fleets. The great irony is that this puts the use of biodiesel in jeopardy because 25 percent of biodiesel in California is consumed by public fleets. CARB is currently evaluating the compatibility of B20 with engines and other emission reduction devices. This compatibility demonstration will allow the use of B20 in conjunction with other emission reduction strategies to comply with CARB’s requirements for public fleets. The informal verification later this year will eventually allow biodiesel to be used as an emission reduction strategy. The CARB staff presentation is available at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/diesel/altdiesel/060805biodslwkgp.pdf Bob McCormick’s presentation on recent NOx studies at a Clean Cities Workshop is available at: http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/toolbox/pdfs/mccormick_webcast.pdf (Please note: Similar data on NOx emissions was presented at the CARB workshop) The meeting agenda is available at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/diesel/altdiesel/altdiesel.htm

Maine Cleans Up Its School Buses The Maine School Administrative District #1 was recently awarded a grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) to retrofit 22 school buses with diesel oxidation catalysts. The oxidation catalysts will reduce particulate matter emissions by 25 percent resulting in improved air quality. The district, which includes Presque Isle, Limestone and Bridgewater is one of 27 school districts being supported by the MDEP Clean School Bus Program to retrofit over 300 school buses with diesel oxidation catalysts. The program is funded by federal and state sources, including a $567,000 Clean School Bus USA grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, the MDEP Clean School Bus Program has collaborated with the Maine Department of Education and the Maine Association for Pupil Transportation to promote anti-idling measures including education campaigns, designation of “Clean Air Zones” in schools, and anti-idling signs. More information on the Maine Clean School Bus Program available at: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/school/index.htm

EPA Delays Highway Diesel Rule Compliance The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it will delay the deadline for industry compliance with the upcoming Highway Diesel Rule for on-road vehicles. Under an earlier deadline, retailers across the country were required to sell diesel with a sulfur content of 15 parts per million (ppm), beginning in September 2006. Highway diesel currently has a sulfur content of 500 ppm. Retailers and terminal outlets will now have until October 15, 2006 to comply with requirements of the Highway Diesel Rule. During the transition period, sulfur levels of up to 22 ppm will be permitted. The extension comes after oil industry groups sent a letter to EPA requesting compliance flexibility (see related story). For more information on EPA’s Highway Diesel Rule, see: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel.htm

Senate Approves Diesel Emissions Reduction Legislation On June 21, 2005 the US Senate voted overwhelmingly (92-1) to approve legislation to help reduce emissions from diesel engines by providing funding for diesel emissions reduction projects at the state and local level. The Diesel Emissions Reductions Act of 2005 (DERA), co-sponsored by Senators George V. Voinovich (R-OH), James Inhofe (R-OK), Thomas Carper (D-DE), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), was offered as an amendment to the Energy Bill (H.R. 6) currently under debate in the Senate. The legislation will complement upcoming Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations on diesel fuel and engines. The EPA Highway Diesel Rule requires all on-road diesel vehicles to use fuel with 15 parts per million sulfur content beginning in 2006. Emission standards for diesel engines beginning with model year 2007, would also be strengthened. While the new EPA regulations will reduce emissions from new diesel engines, they do not address the impact of 11 million existing diesel engines. The legislation seeks to address this gap by providing resources for the retrofit and replacement of existing diesel engines in buses, trucks and construction equipment. The legislation authorizes $200 million annually for national and state grant and loan programs to support the voluntary retrofit of existing diesel engines with EPA or California Air Resources Board verified technologies like particulate matter filters, diesel oxidation catalysts and alternative fuels like biodiesel. Seventy percent of the funds would be distributed by EPA, while 20 percent will be available to states for development of retrofit programs. The legislation primarily targets areas with poor air quality and would place priority on the clean up of public fleets, public health, and cost-effective, innovative technologies. For more information on DERA, please see: http://energy.senate.gov/public/_files/DieselRetrofitFinal.pdf


Sustainability and Public Transportation Workshop July 20-22, 2005 Marriott New York Marquis New York, NY The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is sponsoring its first-ever workshop on sustainability and public transportation. Some highlights include: Sustainable practices in design and capital construction. The focus will be on using sustainable building materials, recycled materials, and solar and other renewable energy sources to make facilities as "green" as possible. Sustainable practices in operations. Reducing hazardous waste, increasing fuel efficiency, creating more efficient lighting and using new propulsion systems are just a few of the topics to be explored. Successful community-based strategies to encourage land use and transit-oriented development designed to increase public transit ridership. Case studies and best practices that show how sustainable practices can save money and improve efficiency. International speakers with demonstrated results in sustainability. Technical tours of newly completed MTA facilities incorporating sustainable elements. Opportunities to discuss how to begin or expand sustainable practices in your system and your community. More information is available at: http://www.apta.com/conferences_calendar/sustainable/index.cfm
CAPCOA Technical Conference August 15-16, 2005 Sacramento Convention Center Sacramento, CA The California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA) is sponsoring a free technical conference for Diesel Emissions Reduction for Public Agency and Utility Fleets. California Air Resources Board (CARB) staff will also be presenting the latest draft of the proposed regulation for Public and Utility Fleets. This proposed rule has been rescheduled to be heard at the November 2005 CARB Board Meeting. More information is available at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/publicfleets/capcoa-diesel-technical-conference.pdf

2005 Diesel Engine Emissions Reduction (DEER) Conference August 21-25, 2005 Chicago , Illinois The Department of Energy will host the annual DEER Conference to present the latest research on diesel emission reduction technologies including high-efficiency clean combustion technologies, engine efficiency technologies, fuels and lubricants and emission controls. For more information, please see: http://www.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/resources/conferences/deer/index.shtml

EESI’s National Clean Bus Project is eager to learn about your clean bus fleet. If you are in the process of procurement, or if you already operate buses that produce fewer emissions and consume less fuel than conventional diesel buses, let us know if we haven’t heard – and told -- your story! Provide (1) the name of your organization and primary contact person; (2) type of bus engine, fuel, and other emission control devices used; (3) number of buses; (4) funding sources; (5) costs and benefits; (6) and lessons learned. We’ll post this information on our website and include it in future editions of the Clean Bus Update! Send this information to Shefali Ranganathan at sranganathan@eesi.org or call 202-662-1883. More information can be mailed to 122 C St., NW, Suite 630, Washington, DC 20001.
The Clean Bus Update is a monthly periodical providing an overview of current program and policy activities related to the deployment of low-polluting, energy-efficient buses in the United States. Topics include technology developments, clean vehicle deployment, energy consumption, the environment, government policy, and public health. The National Clean Bus Network is an informal coalition of public and private sector organizations working to increase the use of cleaner bus technologies and fuels. The National Clean Bus Network is a free resource to all clean bus stakeholders. If there are issues we are missing and you think we should cover, please let us know.
T he Clean Bus Update is sponsored by the State Energy Office, North Carolina Department of Administration and the US Department of Energy, with State Energy Program funds, in cooperation with North Carolina State University Industrial Extension Service. However, any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of either the State Energy Office, North Carolina Department of Administration, or the US Department of Energy.
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