|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| World’s Largest Hybrid Bus Fleet in NYC In March 2005, Orion Bus Industries began its second delivery of 200 diesel-electric hybrid buses to New York City Transit, adding to the 125 buses delivered in 2004. The 40-foot low floor buses are equipped with BAE Systems’ HybridDrive propulsion system. On completion of this delivery, New York City will be home to the world’s largest hybrid bus fleet with 325 buses, seven percent of the transit agency’s 4,215 vehicles. In 1998, the agency began testing a pilot fleet of ten hybrid buses and based on the experience ordered 325 more buses. According to transit officials, the current fleet of 125 hybrids has reduced particulate matter emissions by 90, and nitrogen oxides by 40 percent. In addition, fuel savings have increased by 30 percent when compared to diesel powered buses operated by the agency. New York Transit also operates 481 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. The hybrid and CNG buses were funded by a $304 million Clean Fuel Program in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority 2000 - 2004 Capital Spending Plan. More
information on New York Transit hybrids at:
|
|
| EPA Funds Diesel Retrofit Projects The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced $1.6 million in grants for 18 diesel retrofit projects around the country. The projects are part of EPA’s recently announced Clean Diesel campaign to reduce emissions from diesel powered engines through mandatory and voluntary efforts. Some of the projects funded include the retrofit of locomotives, construction equipment, waste haulers, agricultural equipment and port carriers. The retrofits will address emissions from existing in-use diesel engines, which are significant contributors to air pollution. More
information on the projects available at:
|
|
| Los Angeles Port Plan Approved The Los Angeles Task Force unanimously approved a preliminary plan to cut pollution in the LA Port. The plan consists of 65 proposed methods to cut pollution including replacing older trucks with cleaner models, introducing ultra-low sulfur diesel in ships, and installing electric power sources for ships docked at the port or idling near shore. However, noticeably absent were representatives from the Long Beach Port Authority who have declined to pursue a joint approach with Los Angeles to clean up the port complex. The LA-Long Beach Port complex is the single largest air polluter in the region, producing nearly 20,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, and 1000 tons of particulates in 2001. Port pollution is expected to rise significantly in the absence of pollution controls. The preliminary plan will be forwarded to the Mayor’s office and a final plan incorporating legal measures and costs is expected to be approved later this spring.
|
|
| EPA and Partners to Build Hybrid Truck The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in partnership with Eaton Corporation-Fluid Power, International Truck and Engine Corporation, U.S. Army – National Automotive Center, and Morgan-Olson will build the world’s first diesel-hydraulic series hybrid truck for United Parcel Service (UPS). The hybrid hydraulic system will store energy as compressed nitrogen gas and use a propulsion system rather than a battery system, which is a feature of regular hybrids. The hybrid hydraulic drivetrain eliminates the need for a transmission. The truck will also be powered with EPA’s Clean Diesel Combustion engine which meets EPA’s 2010 nitrogen oxide (NOx) standard of 0.2 grams per brake horse power without the need for after treatment. The demonstration project aims to achieve 60-70 percent better fuel economy, recover the additional costs associated with the vehicle within three years, and meet EPA’s 2010 NOx standard for heavy-duty engines. More
information about the hybrid truck partnership is available at:
|
|
| Nation’s First Hybrid Locomotive Unveiled in California Rail
in the Los Angeles area just got a little bit cleaner. On March
16, Union Pacific Railroad unveiled the nation’s first
hybrid electric locomotive. The locomotive dubbed the ‘Green
Goat,’ is powered by a 290-horsepower Caterpillar diesel engine
and two large battery banks. The ‘Green Goat” manufactured
by Railpower Technologies, is capable of running for up to eight
hours on battery power after which it switches to the diesel engine.
The hybrid technology used in the locomotives differs slightly from
technology used in hybrid cars and buses in that it does not have
the capability to recapture energy from braking to recharge the
batteries. The locomotive costing $800,000 is a short haul engine
and will be used as a switcher to shift rail cars between tracks
inside rail yards. It is estimated that nitrogen oxide (NOx) and
particulate matter reductions will be approximately 80-90 percent.
By the end of 2005, Union Pacific is also expected to have replaced 38
percent of their fleet with new cleaner burning diesel locomotives.
|
|
|
Carl
The
California Air Resources Board (CARB) is inviting all interested
parties to apply for funds through the Carl Moyer Program
Multi-District Project Solicitation.
CARB will receive applications until 5
PM, April 18, 2005. NYSERDA
Advanced Transportation Technologies Program The
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
announced $2.5 million in available funding (PON 920) to support the
development, demonstration and commercialization of innovative
transportation products and systems.
Deadlines for submission of applications are: April
19, 2005, 5:00 PM EST For
more information on this funding opportunity, please visit:
|
|
|
EPA to Conduct Idling Workshop; Allegheny County, PA Adopts Idling Rule The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it will host the first state/industry idling workshop for heavy-duty buses and trucks. The effort is an attempt to develop guidance for states to create consistent anti-idling laws across the country. The workshop will bring together representatives from state air pollution control agencies, trucking associations, truck drivers, environmental organizations and health associations. The workshops will be held in Washington, D.C. later in 2005. In related news, the Allegheny County Board of Health has approved a regulation to limit idling of heavy-duty diesel vehicles. In February, the county held a public hearing on the proposed idling rule, which would limit idling of heavy-duty diesel powered vehicles to no more than five minutes. Violators would face fines of up to $500 for repeat offenses. The regulation would also limit idling at Port Authority of Allegheny County garages. The board plans to eventually extend idling restrictions to construction equipment, locomotives and marine vessels. The county already has a school bus anti-idling regulation in effect. For
more information about the EPA workshop, visit: More
information on the Allegheny County idling regulation available
at: |
|
| |
|
| White House Delays Release of PM Guidelines; States Challenge PM Designations The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has delayed the release of guidelines for states to implement the new fine particulate matter (PM2.5) standards. The rules which were supposed to be released on March 15, 2005, were sent to the White House for review in October 2004. Under an existing executive order, the White House is required to issue the rules no later than three months after they are submitted for review with an additional 30-day extension permissible. However, the March 15 deadline has passed with little indication of when the rules will be issued. In
related news, over 16 counties in Indiana and Michigan have filed
federal lawsuits against the U.S Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), challenging particulate matter designations issued by the
agency in December 2004. Indiana state officials contend that 16
of the 19 counties designated to be in non-attainment of EPA’s
PM2.5 standard were erroneously classified. They indicate that new
data from the Indiana Environmental Management Department reveals
that the counties meet the federal standards. Michigan is also seeking
the removal of Oakland County from the list based on new data. The
EPA PM2.5 non-attainment list is based on pollution monitoring data
from 2001 to 2003.
|
|
| |
|
| Federal Transportation Policy Update The House passed the $283.9 billion surface transportation bill, TEA-LU (The Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users) by a vote of 417-9, on March 10, 2005. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young (R-AK) offered a manager’s amendment which includes a $7 billion rescission of unobligated highway funds by 2009 (See EESI Action Alert for more information on rescissions). The amendment also requires a 25 percent cap on Clean Fuels Program funds that can be spent to purchase diesel buses in a fiscal year. In related news, the Senate passed their version of the surface transportation bill in the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee on March 16, 2005, with authorized funding of $283.9 billion, a $34 billion decrease in funding from last year’s authorization of $318 billion. The Senate Banking Committee also marked up the transit portion of the surface transportation bill, the "Federal Public Transportation Act of 2005," at $51.6 billion, down from $53.3 billion agreed to by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) and EPW Committee members in 2004. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill in April. Both
House and Senate proposals are in line with the Administration
budget
request of $284 billion for 5 years in an effort to get the bills to conference
as soon as possible. However, lawmakers in the House and Senate have
expressed dissatisfaction over current funding levels and hope to
seek additional funds once the legislation reaches Conference. Floor
action on the Senate side is expected in late April, leaving lawmakers
little over a month to reconcile differences with the House before the current
TEA-21 legislation expires on May 31, 2005. Text
of the Senate Transportation Bill is available at: More
information on the Federal Transportation Act of 2005 is available
at:
|
|
Air Pollution Found Responsible for Over 300,000 Premature Deaths in Europe A recent study by the European Commission estimates that particulate matter pollution is responsible for approximately 310,000 premature deaths in Europe each year. In Germany alone, poor air quality is responsible for approximately 65,000 deaths per year. Exposure to air pollution was found to reduce life expectancy by nine months on average, with the worst impact being felt in Belgium with the loss of 13.6 months of life. The study also indicated that on average, Europeans lose a half day a year to air pollution related illnesses, costing the economy over 80 billion euros. More
information on the European Commission is available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4283295.stm |
|
| Study Links Urban Air Pollution to Changes in Babies’ Genes A study published in the Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention journal suggests that prenatal exposure to air pollution may be linked to genetic changes associated with an increased risk of cancer. The study conducted by researchers at Columbia University monitored pollution exposure in 60 pregnant women in low-income neighborhoods in Bronx and Harlem in New York City. Genetic tests conducted after birth indicated a 50 percent increase in genetic abnormalities in the babies with higher levels of exposure. These genetic abnormalities have been associated with certain kinds of acute leukemia. This study is part of a larger project, the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH) Prospective Cohort Study, which is examining the health impacts of exposure to tobacco smoking, air pollutants and pesticides in pregnant women. Abstract
of the study is available at:
|
|
| Dirty Diesel Kills More Than 20,000 Each Year A recent report, Diesel and Health in America: The Lingering Threat, by the Clean Air Task Force estimates that more than 20,000 people die each year as a result of diesel pollution. According to the report, the nationwide cancer risk due to diesel exhaust is over 350 times greater than the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) acceptable level (one cancer per million persons over 70 years). The report estimates that the retrofit of existing diesel engines with emission controls will result in an 85 percent reduction in fine particle emissions by 2020, saving over 100,000 additional lives. These estimates are above and beyond the projected benefits of EPA’s new diesel regulations, which will require the use of ultra-low sulfur diesel (sulfur content - 15 parts per million) in on-road vehicles beginning in 2006, and for off-road vehicles beginning in 2010. Currently sulfur content in diesel is approximately 500 parts per million. EPA also requires diesel engines, beginning with model year 2007, to meet stricter standards for particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. However, the report argues that these stricter emission standards do not address the pollution impact of the estimated 13 million diesel vehicles currently on the road. The average lifespan of a diesel vehicle is approximately 30 years. As a consequence, vehicles not impacted by these new rules will continue to pollute for years to come. Diesel
and Health in America: The Lingering Threat report available
at:
|
|
|
|
|
| Carl
Moyer Program Workshops Port
of Long Beach Sacramento San
Joaquin Valley |
|
|
More information available at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/moyer/cmp_workshop-april-may-2005.pdf
|
|
| South Coast Air Quality Management District Fleet Rules Public Workshop April
6, 2005 - El Monte |
|
|
More
information available at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/scfleet/scfleet.htm
|
|
| 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. | |
| To unsubscribe from the Clean Bus Update click HERE. If your address changes please let us know so that we may keep our records updated. If there are others who should receive the Update, please send their contact information. | |
