• EESI Recognizes 2005 National Clean Bus Leaders
• BRT Goes Hybrid in Oregon
• WMATA Unveils Plan to Improve Metro Bus System
• CARB Declines Imposing Stricter Standards on South Coast Fleets
• Diesel Hybrid Buses to Join San Francisco Fleet
• New Reports Available
• California Ports To Clean Up Locomotives 
• CARB Verifies Particulate Filter to Operate with Biodiesel
• CARB to Hold Hearing on Idling Regulations
• Pennsylvania Provides Incentives For Alternative Fuels
• Events
• Submit Your Clean Bus Story
  
  Note to our readers - A joint October-November issue of the National Clean Bus Update will be published in mid-November.
  
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EESI Recognizes 2005 National Clean Bus Leaders

On September 22, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) recognized six state a and local initiatives for leadership in deploying cleaner bus fleets.  Public transit agencies, school districts, a corporate entity and a national park are singled out for their efforts demonstrating the importance of cleaner public transportation to reduce congestion, improve air quality and protect public health.

Yosemite National Park (CA) is recognized for its investment in hybrid bus technology in a national park.  The introduction of 18 diesel-electric hybrid buses, coupled with an extensive public education effort to increase awareness about this advanced technology, demonstrates Yosemite National Park ’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility while serving as a model for cleaner transportation options in national parks.

Medford Township Public School District ( Medford , NJ ) is recognized for pioneering fleet-wide use of biodiesel for the past eight years.   The district operates 62 school buses on a B20 blend (20 percent biodiesel, 80 percent petroleum diesel), transporting 3,500 students daily.  Through its use of biodiesel, the school district has displaced more than 70,000 gallons of petroleum diesel and significantly reduced toxic emissions, resulting in the protection of public health, increased energy security and improvements to air quality in the community.  In addition, the district has adopted a host of energy efficiency and renewable energy measures which have strengthened its energy portfolio and contributed to increased sustainability.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) ( San Jose , CA ) is recognized for its leadership in investing in and developing advanced technologies. VTA’s $18.4 million Zero-Emission Bus Demonstration Program has put into full-time service three 40-foot low-floor hydrogen fuel cell transit buses in 2005.  The demonstration program is viewed as an important step in the integration of fuel cell technology into the US transportation industry.  In addition, VTA has been a leader in demonstrating advanced nitrogen oxide emissions reduction technologies, like exhaust gas recirculation and selective catalytic reduction, to clean up its existing fleet.

Cook-Illinois Corporation ( Chicago , IL ) is recognized for demonstrating corporate environmental stewardship through the use of cleaner, renewable biodiesel in 800 of its 1400 buses. The decision to use biodiesel in its fleet in the absence of government grant funding or mandates is commendable, and serves as an example for other private school bus contractors to follow. The Corporation is a 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 . 

Fresno County Rural Transit Agency (FCRTA) ( Fresno , CA ) is recognized for its long-standing commitment to alternative fuels, serving as an example for other transit agencies to follow suit.  As early adopters of natural gas and electric vehicle technology, they have proven the sustainability and viability of a cleaner fuel choice while addressing emissions and environmental justice concerns.   FCRTA has proven that a small transit agency, despite limited resources, can successfully implement a long-term sustainable alternative fuel program. 

Colorado Springs School Districts 11 and 20 ( Colorado Springs , CO ) are recognized for their co-operative efforts to clean up their school bus fleets. The school districts are using a combination of diesel oxidation catalysts, particulate matter filters and biodiesel to reduce harmful diesel emissions from their fleets while improving efficiency through idle reduction measures. The two districts have forged a partnership which has allowed them to leverage resources, overcome funding limitations and provide a unique model for school districts seeking to minimize exposure from diesel fueled buses.

According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), conventional diesel engines power nearly 86 percent of the more than 76,000 active transit buses and 450,000 school buses nationwide; yet diesel engine emissions of particulate matter present an airborne cancer risk. Diesel engine emissions of nitrogen oxides lead to the formation of ozone, which exacerbates asthma, especially in vulnerable populations such as children and the disabled.

Cleaner-burning fuels and advanced vehicle technologies can reduce the harmful effects of diesel emissions produced by a significant majority of the nation’s buses. Federal legislation passed in 1998 established the Clean Fuels “Clean Bus” Grant program, but this program was never funded. The program has been reauthorized in the recently enacted transportation bill. Budget constraints at the state and local level make federal support for the deployment of cleaner buses especially important.

The National Clean Bus Leadership Recognition Program was initiated in 2003 by EESI to highlight the leadership of local initiatives to bring cleaner buses to America ’s communities and to remove the dirtiest diesel buses from our roadways. 

More information, including individual case studies and press releases, agency contacts, and previously recognized leaders, is available on the National Clean Bus Leadership Recognition Program’s website: http://www.eesi.org/programs/cleanbus/leadership/index.htm

  BRT Goes Hybrid in Oregon

The Pacific North West is fast becoming the hybrid bus hub of the United States.  Beginning in August 2006, Lane County Transit District (LTD) will introduce five 60-foot articulated diesel-electric hybrid buses to operate as part of its bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Eugene, Oregon.  The buses will join other hybrid buses in Washington State, including 213 New Flyer hybrids in Seattle and 22 hybrids operated by Sound Transit.

The Invero DE60iLF-BRT buses are manufactured by New Flyer Industries and will house GM-Allison’s hybrid-electric propulsion system.  The buses will be put into service as part of the brand new EmEx (Emerald Express) BRT system.  EmEx is expected to include a wide range of features like signal priority, queue jumpers and transit-only lanes to facilitate more efficient bus service, while decreasing operating costs per mile.  The system was designed with community input through a series of public design workshops hosted by LTD, involving community members, civic leaders, business owners, environmental groups, neighborhood associations and other stakeholders.

For more information on the Invero buses, please see:
http://www.gobrt.org/EugeneNewFlyer.pdf

 WMATA Unveils Plan to Improve Metro Bus System

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) recently unveiled an $850 million improvement plan for its aging bus system.  The plan calls for the replacement of 893 buses over the next five years at a cost of $488 million.  In addition, WMATA will replace and repair over 500 bus shelters, provide real-time information displays for 50 priority locations, and improve maintenance facilities.

As part of the plan, Metro will receive 250 compressed natural gas buses this year.  It has placed an order for 100 diesel-electric hybrid buses and 177 “clean” diesel buses.  In addition, Metro plans to purchase 185 new buses through its Metro Matters program and 241 replacement buses between 2009 and 2011.  The new acquisitions are expected to reduce the average age of the fleet from 9.9 years to 7.5 years.  WMATA operates the fifth largest bus service in the country, with a fleet of 1,473 buses, serving 350 routes in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.  According to the Texas Transportation Institute’s 2004 Urban Mobility Study, public transportation in the Washington metropolitan area cut commuting costs by $1.2 billion per year (almost half) and saved 35 hours of delay per commuter.

The plan comes in the wake of criticism from a panel of experts who called on WMATA to invest in its bus system, which it compared to a “rubber band that was stretched too thin and about to break.” The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) peer review panel, which was convened at the request of WMATA General Manager and CEO Richard White, included transit managers from Houston, New York, Toronto and California.  In June 2005, the panel offered a set of suggested improvements to the Metro Board, including the recommendation that Metro reduce the average fleet age to five years.     

For more information on WMATA’s bus service improvement plan go to:
http://www.wmata.com/about/met_news/story.cfm?ID=395

For information on the APTA peer review panel’s recommendations, go to: http://content.wmata.com/board_gm/board_docs/061605_APTABusPeerRev.pdf

  CARB Declines Imposing Stricter Standards on South Coast Fleets

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has declined to adopt a set of rules imposed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) requiring stricter emission standards for the region’s medium and heavy duty fleets.  In 2000, SCAQMD adopted rules requiring public and private school bus, transit and refuse collection fleets to purchase cleaner-burning vehicles when making additions to their fleets.  The new emission requirements eliminate diesel engines from consideration because they do not meet the requirements.  Currently only compressed natural gas (CNG) engines are able to meet the emission standards, so the rules amount to an alternative fuel mandate.  CARB has a similar set of requirements for state fleets. However, CARB allows fleets the option of choosing between lower-emission diesel or alternative-fueled vehicles as a way to meet requirements.

In 2001, the SCAQMD rules were legally challenged by engine manufacturers and others who contended that SCAQMD was pre-empting the Federal Clean Air Act by imposing emission standards for fleets. In 2004, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA).

SCAQMD decided to use a different strategy in order to reinstate the rules.  Under federal law, California is the only state in the United States allowed to set its own motor vehicle emission standards.  In addition, California is allowed to seek a waiver of pre-emption from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  In June 2004, SCAQMD asked CARB to request a pre-emption waiver on its behalf from the EPA.  They also sought to have CARB adopt a set of similar fleet rules statewide in order to circumvent the pre-emption argument brought on by the EMA.

Earlier this year, a federal district court ruled in favor of SCAQMD and the rule was reinstated for public fleets. Since August 2005, SCAQMD has been enforcing the rule on school bus, transit bus, street sweeping, airport ground-access and refuse collection fleets owned and operated by private entities under contract or license to public agencies.

In September 2005, CARB held a public hearing to consider adoption of the fleet rules statewide while seeking a waiver from the EPA, or to allow the district to continue to enforce its own rules locally. After hearing testimony from dozens of stakeholders including engine manufacturers, school transportation officials, environmental groups and others, CARB members declined to adopt the rule. Board members voiced concerns over potential lawsuits from the EMA as well as the impact of the lengthy EPA waiver process, which is expected to take between 3-4 years, on the implementation of rules. Testimony noted that new engine emission standards are to take effect in 2007 potentially sooner than the EPA waiver process.

 Diesel Hybrid Buses to Join San Francisco Fleet

San Francisco will soon be home to diesel hybrid buses with the San Francisco Municipal Railway electing to purchase 56 diesel-electric hybrids with the option of ordering 56 more.  The 40-foot Orion VII buses are manufactured by Orion Bus Industries, a division of Daimler Chrysler. They are equipped with BAE Systems’ HybriDrive series hybrid propulsion system. A Cummins ISB 5.9-liter engine will also power the bus.  

The buses were purchased with federal, state and local funds.  The Orion buses, which are similar to the ones operated by New York City Transit, improve fuel economy by 25-35 percent; reduce particulate matter by 90 percent and nitrogen oxides by 40 percent.  The buses are quieter, smoother and will require less maintenance.

Several transit agencies in California have opted to go the hybrid route. In 2005, six counties, including Long Beach, Orange, Norwalk, Gardena, Montebello and Fresno, combined individual bus purchases to place a 76-bus order with New Flyer industries, thus helping to bring down the cost per bus.  The 40-foot buses will be equipped with ISE Corp’s Thundervolt gasoline-electric series hybrid system.  Increasingly transit agencies are looking at ways to reduce the cost of purchasing hybrid buses by ‘piggybacking’ on other transit agency bus orders.  Large volume orders will help make hybrid buses more affordable and develop the market for this cleaner, advanced technology.

 New Reports Available

In the last five years, hybrid-electric buses have grown from a demonstration technology to a popular option for transit agencies looking to "green" their fleets and reduce fuel use, with over 700 buses in service at more than 40 transit agencies across North America .  The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Northeast Advanced Vehicle Consortium (NAVC) have released a report that documents the current understanding of hybrid bus technology, as revealed through the latest hybrid bus data and the views of transit industry representatives.  The report, entitled Analysis of Electric Drive Technologies For Transit Applications: Battery-Electric, Hybrid-Electric, and Fuel Cells, explores the current state of hybrid buses, the benefits of major market penetration of hybrid buses for transit and communities, and the barriers that remain to achieving this goal.

The report also examines the current state of battery and fuel cell buses.  The report finds that transit officials believe that hybrids are an appealing clean option, with good performance, low emissions, and lower fuel costs.  However, major hurdles remain to make hybrids commercially competitive with current diesel buses.  These hurdles involve the higher purchase price of a hybrid bus; uncertainties about lifecycle costs; durability of the batteries; and emissions certification issues.  

Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity
Overview of Advanced Technology Transportation, 2005 Update

The National Renewable Laboratory has published an overview of the 2005 transportation market including information on hybrid, fuel cell, hydrogen, and alternative fuel vehicles.  It covers vehicle sales, emissions, potential partners, advanced technology vehicle availability, and other factors. It also offers a "snapshot" of current vehicle technologies and trends.

To view the report, please use the link below:
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy05osti/37777.pdf

NREL Updates Its Transit Hybrid Bus Evaluations in New York and Knoxville

The National Renewable Laboratory (NREL) has published an update on its evaluation of the Orion VII/BAE SYSTEMS hybrid electric buses in service at New York City Transit.  In addition, NREL has published a fact sheet on the Ebus hybrid electric transit trolley buses operated by Knoxville Area Transit (KAT).   New York City Transit and Knoxville Area Transit were previously recognized by EESI in 2003 and 2004as National Clean Bus Leaders.

To download the NYCT hybrid evaluation update, go to: http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/fleettest/pdfs/036801_nyct.pdf.

To view the KAT fact sheet, please visit:
http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/fleettest/pdfs/037346_kat.pdf

California Ports To Clean Up Locomotives  

The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles recently announced that they have reached an agreement with Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) to replace existing locomotives operating in the vicinity of these ports with cleaner alternatives. The $23 million agreement calls for the replacement of the entire fleet of 18 switcher locomotives with cleaner diesel and alternative-fuel ones. The replacement is expected to result in  estimated reductions of 163 tons in nitrogen oxides and three tons of particulate matter each year.

PHL will introduce 16 clean diesel locomotives which will meet the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 2 emission standards. In addition, a locomotive powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a diesel-electric hybrid locomotive will be added to the fleet. The locomotives will be equipped with automatic shut-down devices to prevent idling for more than 15 minutes. PHL plans to use emulsified diesel in the new and existing locomotives and will equip some of the locomotives with diesel oxidation catalysts. The replacement program will be funded through a $3.2 million Carl Moyer grant, $5 million each from the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles with the remaining funds coming from PHL.   

More information available at: 
http://www.lacity.org/portofla/press/portoflapress31031903_08262005.pdf

CARB Verifies Particulate Filter to Operate with Biodiesel

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has extended the verification of the Johnson Mathey CRT^® particulate filter to include the use of B20 blend (biodiesel 20 percent, petroleum diesel 80 percent).  The Johnson Mathey filter uses a passively regenerating diesel particulate filter to achieve an 85 percent reduction in particulate matter.  This qualifies it to be recognized as a Level 3 emissions reduction strategy. Level 3 verification is for those technologies achieving at least an 85 percent or greater reduction in particulate matter.

California requires the phase-in of “Best Available Control Technology (BACT)” to reduce diesel particulate matter (PM) from fleets owned and operated by public agencies.  However, CARB has yet to recognize biodiesel as an alternative fuel.  Therefore, biodiesel could not be used either as an emission reduction strategy or in conjunction with other emissions reduction devices in public fleets unless it is formally verified by CARB under the proposed rule.  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 Johnson Mathey CRT^® particulate filter is the first filter to be verified by CARB for use with biodiesel.  This will pave the way for other diesel emission reduction technologies like diesel oxidation catalysts and other particulate filters to be verified for use with biodiesel in the future.

For more information on the CARB verification of the Johnson Mathey CRT^® particulate filter, see:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/verdev/level3/eo_de0400605.pdf

  CARB to Hold Hearing on Idling Regulations

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will hold a public hearing on October 20, 2005 to consider amendments to regulations for new and in-use heavy duty diesel engines.  The proposed amendments are designed to minimize idling from existing and new diesel engines by requiring the installation of idle reduction devices on new heavy-duty vehicles and limiting idling from existing trucks.

CARB is proposing that all 2008 and subsequent model year heavy-duty diesel engines be equipped with a non-programmable engine shutdown system that automatically shuts down the engine after five minutes of idling.  Engine manufacturers have the option of certifying their engines to a nitrogen oxide idling emission standard of 30 grams per hour in lieu of the system. For in-use trucks equipped with a sleeper berth, drivers will be required to manually shut down the engine after five minutes of idling.  This provision would be applicable to all model year trucks in California, including interstate operators.

Pennsylvania Provides Incentives For Alternative Fuels

Pennsylvania is offering up to $4 million in available grant funds through its Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program to support the purchase of cleaner fuels and vehicles.  The program, which was established in 1992, provides financial assistance and information on alternative fuels, alternative fuel vehicles, hybrid vehicles, anti-idling technologies for heavy duty trucks, and advanced vehicle technology research, development, and demonstration. In 2004, the program was updated with new initiatives to promote the production and use of ethanol and biodiesel.

The state is urging school districts, local governments, corporations, universities, and nonprofit organizations to apply for the grants.  Examples of eligible projects include incremental costs of purchasing biofuels or the purchase of bi-fuel, dual-fuel, hybrid or dedicated vehicles.  The final date to apply is October 3, 2005.  The grant application is open only to Pennsylvania residents

For a complete list of eligible projects, grant application and other details, please visit:  http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/pollprev/AFIG/afvafig1.htm#applications

FTA National Fuel Cell Bus Program Stakeholder Meeting

American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Bus Technical, Maintenance & Procurement Workshop
September 28 - 30
Dallas , Texas

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will conduct a stakeholder meeting/listening session on the National Fuel Cell Bus Program established under SAFETEA-LU to solicit input on the administration of this Program.  The meeting will be held in conjunction with the APTA Bus Technical, Maintenance & Procurement Workshop in Dallas , Texas .

A total of $49 million in funding is available from FY 2006 - FY 2009 to facilitate the development of commercially viable fuel cell buses and related infrastructure.  Up to three geographically diverse nonprofit organizations with transit agency participants will be selected under a competitive process.  The Program requires a 50% non-Federal match.  Interested participants should contact FTA's Program Manager, Shang Hsiung, by email at shang.hsiung@fta.dot.org

Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF) 5^th National Meeting

October 19-21, 2005
Toledo , Ohio

WestStart-CALSTART and the U.S . Army National Automotive Center (NAC) will hold a HTUF National Meeting, hosted by Dana Corporation.  HTUF is a national, multi-year, user-driven program to assist the commercialization of heavy-duty hybrid technologies.  It is operated by WestStart-CALSTART and the U.S. Army’s National Automotive Center (NAC).  HTUF works to find applications and generate demand for hybrid vehicles in the commercial market to help speed the development and reduce the cost of such vehicles.

For more information, please see:
http://www.calstart.org/programs/htuf/index.php?p=programs

CARB Public Meeting to Discuss Allocation of $25 Million for Cleaner, Safer School Buses

November 14, 2005,
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm.
Sacramento , California

The California state legislature has appropriated $25 million to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to clean up the state’s school bus fleet by replacing or retrofitting older, higher-emitting buses.  The legislature directed that $12.5 million of the funding is to be spent to maximize the replacement of pre-1977 school buses with new school buses that comply with the most recent passenger safety standards.  The remaining $12.5 million is to be spent to retrofit in-use diesel school buses to protect children’s health and reduce particulate matter emissions from those buses.  These funds are expected to replace approximately 100 pre-1977 buses and retrofit approximately 1,000 in-use diesel school buses with exhaust after-treatment devices.

The public meeting will explain the current budget control language, as well as discuss pertinent issues regarding the expenditure of the new $12.5 million funding to target the replacement of pre-1977 model year buses.  Some of the issues to be discussed at the public meeting include: 1) population-based funding allocations versus school bus age-based funding allocations; 2) school district match funding requirements; 3) options for implementing the program (i.e., which entities will administer the program); and 4) retrofit control options and technologies.

Diesel Exhaust: Partnering with Stakeholders to Reduce Emissions

Air & Waste Management Association (AWMA)
October 6-7, 2005,
Oak Brook , IL

This AWMA conference will provide an overview of important developments in the regulatory, policy and scientific arenas. It will focus on several areas: 1) The new 2007 US Environmental Protection Agency diesel engine emissions standards; 2) Government programs affecting the industry; 3) New perspectives on health issues related to diesel use; and 4) Path forward: evaluating the new technology diesel exhaust. In addition to invited speakers, the conference will host a poster session.

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