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| On
June 1, 2006, the Municipal Transportation Authority (MUNI) of San
Francisco received its first bus of an order of 56 diesel-electric
buses. The Orion VII buses, manufactured by Orion Industries, a
subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler, are powered by BAE Systems’
hybrid-electric power train. Estimates indicate that the hybrid
buses will improve fuel economy by 35 percent compared to conventional
diesel buses, and provide enormous emissions benefits, including
90 percent less particulate matter, 40 percent fewer nitrogen oxides
and 30 percent less greenhouse gas emissions. These buses
will be the first diesel-electric hybrids to be put into service
in California. On completion of delivery, hybrid buses will comprise
11 percent of MUNI’s fleet while electric trolleys and cable
cars will account for 50 percent. According to Mayor Gavin Newsom,
who participated in a commemorative ceremony, the hybrids were a
step in the right direction for public health and the environment.
Overall, the new hybrid buses are expected to reduce nitrogen oxide
emissions by more than 200 tons, greenhouse gas emissions by more
than 13,000 tons and save 1.2 million gallons of diesel fuel over the
lifetime of the vehicles. To
read more about the MUNI hybrid buses, please see: |
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Ohio State has been making rapid strides to ramp up biodiesel use in its fleets. The Central Ohio Transit Authority’s (COTA) decision to use higher blends of biodiesel garnered little attention at first. But heads began to turn when COTA announced that they would be using biodiesel blends ranging from 50-90 percent during the summer months. Currently, the most common biodiesel blend in use is B20 (20 percent biodiesel, 80 percent petroleum diesel). Fleets have tended to shy away from higher blends due to warranty and cold weather operation concerns. But COTA has moved forward thoughtfully, working closely with engine makers and other experts in the area to address these concerns. B90 blends are estimated to reduce carbon monoxide and soot by 40 percent, greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent, and hydrocarbon emissions between 50 and 80 percent. Importantly, COTA has sourced its biodiesel from a local supplier, thereby helping local farmers and boosting the economy. In addition, COTA has expressed willingness to work with other fleets to help procure biodiesel as part of its purchasing contract, making it easier for fleets to make the switch because it will ensure a steady supply of fuel at lower prices. This will likely encourage the widespread use of biodiesel in local fleets. With the Upper Arlington School District’s pledge to use B20 in May of this year, it seems like COTA’s success is already influencing other fleets. COTA plans to test varying blends of biodiesel in its fleets through the end of 2006. However, other Ohio transit agencies are not far behind. In 2005, Cincinnati METRO began operating its entire fleet of 390 buses on a B30 blend (30 percent biodiesel, 70 percent petroleum diesel) due to the diesel scarcity caused by Hurricane Katrina. They have never looked back. In April 2006, they began using B50, making them one of the largest biodiesel users in the country consuming about 1.3 million gallons per year. The decision made great economic sense for the transit agency. Currently, biodiesel is less expensive for METRO than regular diesel fuel on the open market with the price for regular diesel around $2.90 per gallon, compared to Metro’s contract price of $1.78 per gallon for biodiesel. In addition, Dayton Transit, Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) and several university transit agencies have been successfully using B20. Ohio deserveds kudos for serving as a shining example of biodiesel use in fleets. To
find out more about Cincinnati METRO’s biodiesel use, please
visit: More
information on COTA’s biodiesel use available at: |
| California Transit Authority to Switch from Hybrids to Natural Gas California’s South Coast Area Transit (SCAT) has reversed its decision to invest in hybrid buses. In July 2005, SCAT voted to switch the majority of their compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to gasoline-electric hybrid technology. Based on this decision, the authority placed an order for eight hybrid buses, costing nearly $550,000 each. Their rationale for the switch was that hybrid technology would save on fuel costs and help improve local air quality. The decision to switch to gasoline-electric hybrid buses was based in part on a 10-year fuel cost projection of $4,950,000, based on gas priced at $1.50 per gallon. However, this year, the agency was hit with higher than expected gasoline prices forcing them to re-evaluate their decision. At current gas prices of $3.00 per gallon, the agency recalculated the ten-year fuel cost to be $14,143,000, severely impacting SCAT’s operating budget. Estimates indicate that it would cost the agency $800,000 more to operate the hybrid buses when compared to CNG. Further the recent availability of federal incentives for the use of natural gas vehicles has prompted the agency to consider a switch back to CNG buses. On June 7th, the Board approved the staff recommendation to switch back to CNG. However, SCAT still believes that hybrids are the best fuel path and is leaving the option open to return to hybrid buses at a later time.
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| Olympics Propel Beijing to Cleaner Bus Technology With the 2008 Olympics approaching rapidly, Beijing has been upgrading their massive bus fleet to more environmentally friendly technologies and fuels. The city has spent over $700 million in the past two years to buy 3485 new buses, including 1000 natural gas buses and 100 hybrid buses. With over 20,000 buses in the Beijing fleet, “greening” the entire fleet is no small task. But with over 13,000 of these buses expected to be upgraded by the end of 2006, Beijing has made significant progress towards addressing clean air issues before the 2008 Olympics.
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Orange
County Transit Announces CNG Bus Deal The
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has announced that
it will pay $106 million for 249 additional 40-foot CNG buses manufactured
by New Flyer Industries. OCTA had already placed a $21.4 million
order for 50 CNG buses. Twenty-four of the first 50 CNG buses will
be used in bus rapid transit service on Harbor Boulevard, which
will commence early in 2007. Delivery of the remaining buses will
occur up through 2009, and OCTA will retire aging diesel buses over
the next several years. More
information available at:
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| Maryland and Albany (NY) Transit Agencies Testing Hybrid Waters The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has purchased 10 diesel-electric hybrid buses this spring for use in the Baltimore area. Upon the successful performance of the buses, Governor Ehrlich is expected to approve the purchase of an additional 300 diesel-electric hybrids through 2012. An order of this magnitude will make half of MTA’s bus fleet hybrid. In
related news, the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA)
in Albany, New York recently decided to purchase six hybrid buses
from the San Francisco-based Gillig Corporation. The buses are 40-foot
diesel-electric hybrids and cost about $516,700 each. However, 80
percent of the cost will be covered by federal reimbursement and
the buses are eligible for a 10 percent state reimbursement. The
six buses will serve the Albany-Schenectady corridor. Further information on the CDTA hybrids available at: http://albany.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2006/04/24/daily56.html
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| The
port city of Karachi in Pakistan has announced plans to replace
8,000 diesel buses with compressed natural gas (CNG) buses over
the next four years. With federal and state investment of more than
$82 million, the transition to CNG is expected to improve air quality
in this busy city.
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The California Air Resources Board (CARB) staff has recently made recommendations on a biodiesel policy for the state. The suggested policy was presented at a CARB Fuels Workshop in Sacramento in May. A key element of the suggested policy includes recognizing biodiesel blends up to B20 (20 percent biodiesel, 80 percent petroleum diesel) as a California diesel fuel. This would allow its use in public and private fleets. In addition, use of B20 with verified retrofit technology would be permitted. However, the policy does not address the use of higher blends of biodiesel nor does it consider the impact of potential nitrogen oxide increases. Biodiesel blends would have to comply with ASTM and CARB diesel fuel regulations. The new policy is an important step for the expansion of biodiesel use in California. The suggested policy indicates that blends of biodiesel greater than 50 percent are currently exempt from CARB diesel regulations. While the new policy will not encourage use of blends greater than 20 percent but lower than 50 percent, its use will not be prohibited. Further the policy recommends research to study the impact of biodiesel use in California including emissions impact and a lifecycle assessment. A final decision on this policy is likely in the coming months. An Executive Order by California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sets biodiesel production targets at 20 percent by 2010, 40 percent by 2020 and 75 percent by 2050. For
more information, please contact: View
CARB’s presentation on this suggested policy at: To
view the Executive Order, see:
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| Nation’s First Hybrid School Bus Unveiled On
July 10, 2006, IC Corporation, North America’s largest school
bus manufacturer, unveiled the nation’s first hybrid school
bus. The bus was on display at the New York Association of
Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) Show and is equipped with Enova Systems’
post-transmission 80 kW Hybrid Drive System. The bus is expected
to offer a 40 percent increase in fuel economy. The hybrid school
bus will couple an International® VT365 V8 diesel engine with
an 80 kW hybrid-electric powertrain, incorporating a transmission,
batteries and an electric motor. The system is based on a parallel
architecture, allowing the system to utilize both diesel and electric
power in a highly efficient manner. In
related news, Advanced Energy and the Hybrid Bus Buyers’ Consortium
recently issued a Request for Proposals [RFP 06-01] for Complete
Hybrid School Buses (Type C). There will be a single award for the
manufacture of these buses. Hybrid school buses present a promising
opportunity to address diesel emission concerns while helping to
reduce fuel consumption. The RFP requires the buses to have
plug-in capability, meaning that the batteries are capable of being
charged by plugging into the local electric utility.
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California Hybrid Buses Going Strong Elk
Grove and Long Beach Transit in California are enjoying great success
with their new gasoline-electric hybrid buses. The transit agencies
recently celebrated half-million and million-mile service marks
respectively for these buses. The agencies have been operating buses
equipped with ISE Corporation’s gasoline-electric hybrid systems
for the past year. For the past year, Long Beach Transit Agency has been successfully operating 27 gasoline-electric hybrid buses. The 40-foot buses, dubbed “E-Power”, are manufactured by New Flyer Industries and are equipped with ISE Corp.’s hybrid drivetrain. The transit agency, which provides services to 27 million passengers annually, purchased the buses at the cost of $550,000 each, with funding from local, state and federal sources. The buses offer substantial emissions reductions, including particulate matter emissions which are below measurable limits and lowered nitrogen oxide emissions, helping to address some of the air pollution problems that have plagued the City of Long Beach. In addition, the agency reports an increase in fuel efficiency of 50 percent when compared to conventional diesel buses and lowered maintenance costs. The buses have achieved a 94 percent availability rate (available for service each day). For
more information on Long Beach Transit buses, go to:
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| House Passes Transportation Appropriations Bill On June 14, the House passed a $67.8 billion Fiscal Year 2007 Department of Transportation Appropriations Bill (H.R. 5576) by a vote of 406-22. The bill includes a record $8.979 billion for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) programs, approximately $4 million above the amount authorized by SAFETEA-LU (P.L. 109-59) for FY 2007. This is a 5.6 percent increase over the final amount appropriated for FY 2006. Formula and Bus Capital Programs were funded at $7.62 billion including $45 million for the Clean Fuels Program. This is the first time ever that the program has received separate funding and is an important source of funds for clean bus purchases. The report language of the bill included a new administrative provision allowing FTA to provide grants for 100 percent of the net capital cost of a factory-installed or retrofitted hybrid electric bus system. This provision, which was requested by FTA, will allow transit agencies to purchase hybrid buses which are significantly more expensive than conventional diesel buses but offer better fuel economy, reduced emissions and lower maintenance costs. The bill contains a directive requiring the Department of Transportation to rescind two billion dollars in 2007 from core highway program funds including CMAQ which is a principal source of clean transportation funds. The rescission amount for FY 2006 for highway programs was $1.99 billion. In the past, states with poor air quality have used CMAQ funds disproportionately to comply with rescission directives. EESI has been monitoring rescissions process and will continue to provide guidance to stakeholders on how to ensure fair treatment of CMAQ funds in the rescissions process. The
Senate Appropriations Committee has yet to mark up its version of
the bill with a tentative subcommittee markup scheduled for July
18 and a full committee markup on July 20. However, floor action on the
bill is unlikely to occur before Congress adjourns for the August
recess. If appropriations are not complete before the new fiscal
year (FY 2007) begins October 1, Congress would need to pass a
Continuing Resolution until the FY 2007 Transportation Appropriations
law is enacted and will likely continue program funds at FY 2006
levels.
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| Senate
Appropriations Committee Takes Action on Spending Bills
The
Senate Appropriations Committee moved quickly before the July 4th
recess to approve several spending bills including the FY ‘07
Interior and Environment Appropriations bill (HR 5386; Sen. Rpt.
109-275), which includes funding for the Diesel Emission Reduction
Program (DERP). The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), authorized
$200 million per year for this program to reduce emissions in school
buses, freight, construction and the ports sector through retrofits,
replacements, engine rebuilds, repowerings, and idle reduction programs.
The House version of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2007 (H.R.5386) funds this program at $28 million,
a $21.5 million cut from the Administration request ($49.5 million)
and $172 million less than EPAct’s authorization. The
Senate
Committee recommended only $20 million for DERP. The measure must
now be considered by the full Senate and then reconciled with the
House passed bill. This program enjoys strong bipartisan support,
led by Senators Voinovich (R-OH), Clinton (D-NY), Isakson (R-GA)
and Carper (D-DE). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates
this program will lead to a reduction of about 70,000 tons of particulate
matter (PM) with a 13 to 1 benefit-cost ratio. On June 22, 2006,
EESI organized a briefing to highlight the need for full funding
for this program to mitigate school bus emissions and protect children’s
health. The briefing was organized at the request of the Senate Environment
and Public Works Subcommittee chaired by Senator Voinovich. Speaker
presentations are available on EESI’s website. To
view these appropriations bill, please visit:
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| Cook-Illinois
Corporation Drives Private Contractor Efforts to Use Biodiesel
Cook-Illinois Corporation with a fleet of 1,400 buses operating in over 50 school districts in Illinois has been using biodiesel in its fleet since 2005, making it one of the largest school bus fleets in the country running on this cleaner, renewable fuel. The private contractor operates 900 school buses on a B20 blend (20 percent biodiesel, 80 percent petroleum diesel) with plans to expand its use to the entire fleet. This large-scale use of biodiesel will result in significant emissions reductions contributing to public health benefits, increased energy security and environmental improvements in the Chicago area. In Illinois, most of the 18,500 school buses transporting thousands of students each day are powered by diesel fuel. The harmful impacts of diesel on children’s health are well documented. Particulate matter and nitrogen oxides - a smog precursor - are principal components of diesel exhaust. These pollutants are known to exacerbate asthma and other lung ailments. A recent study suggests that smog may even cause asthma. According to the Center for Disease Control, each year students miss more than 14 million school days due to asthma-related illnesses nationwide. Rates for asthma-related deaths and hospitalizations are routinely higher for African-American children, further exacerbating the problem. Cook County, where Cook-Illinois primarily operates, struggles with poor air quality and is designated to be in non-attainment of federal air quality standards for ozone and particulate matter. Concerns about poor air quality and its potential negative impact on children’s health prompted Cook-Illinois Corporation to switch to biodiesel in Spring 2005. The private contractor operates one of the largest school bus fleets in the state so the decision has the potential to improve air quality and public health significantly. “Every day, families entrust us with the safety of their children,” says John Benish, Jr., Chief Operating Officer of Cook-Illinois Corporation. “As a Chicago leader in alternative fuels, we wanted to be the first to improve the air quality and provide a cleaner and safer atmosphere for school children.” The company’s experience with biodiesel has been very positive. They have seen an increase in fuel economy as well as reduced maintenance costs of $500 per vehicle as a result of the fuel switch. “We have not encountered any obstacles in the transition to B20,” says Benish. Cook-Illinois
Corporation joined efforts to clean up the state’s school
buses as the first corporate In
June 2005, the state instituted a Biodiesel Rebate Program to cover
a portion of the incremental costs of the fuel for biodiesel users.
The program is likely to spur increased use of this cleaner, renewable
fuel as an alternative to petroleum diesel. In addition, Cook-Illinois
Corporation recently began educating its drivers about the benefits
of idle reduction, an often overlooked strategy to reduce emissions
and fuel consumption. The Corporation is working to establish guidelines
on idle reduction for the school districts it serves. These efforts
are likely Cook-Illinois Corporation was recognized by EESI as a 2005 National Clean Bus Leader for its large-scale commitment to cleaning up its fleet and helping to protect the health of school children in Illinois. The decision to use biodiesel in its fleet in the absence of government grant funding or mandates is commendable. The Corporation has exhibited environmental stewardship and serves as an example for other private school bus contractors to follow.
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| 2006
Diesel Engine-Efficiency and Emissions Research (DEER) Conference For
more information and to register, please visit:
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Alternative
Transportation Festival September
22-24, 2006 More
information available at:
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| 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 National Clean Bus
Update! Send this information to |
| The
National 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 |
|
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute is a non-profit organization established in 1984 by a bipartisan, bicameral group of members of Congress to provide timely information on energy and environmental policy issues to policymakers and stakeholders and develop innovative policy solutions that set us on a cleaner, more secure and sustainable energy path . EESI's valuable work in energy, climate change, agriculture, transportation and smart growth is made possible through financial support from people like you. Your tax deductible contribution will help EESI develop innovative policy solutions for a cleaner, safer, healthier world. For more information, go to our website or contact Shefali Ranganathan at sranganathan@eesi.org or call 202-662-1883.
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