September 1999 Transportation Secretary Slater announced new advanced transportation R&D projects to enhance American competitiveness and create jobs. August 1999 U.S. DOE Ethanol Workshop Series: The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Fuels Development's Regional Biomass Energy Program is sponsoring a series of workshops on ethanol around the country. Advanced Vehicle Systems (AVS) has received the largest order ever placed for hybrid-electric buses. The City of Tempe, Arizona has ordered 31 - with an option for 169 more - gas turbine-electric, extra-wide buses to be used in the cityıs pedestrian-oriented downtown. The first group of buses will be delivered before February, 2001. Postal Service to Purchase Alternative Fuel Vehicles: The United States Postal Service recently announced its intent to purchase 500 electric vehicles this year, with an option to purchase an additional 5,500 electric vehicles over the next four years. This is the largest purchase order to date for the U.S. electric vehicle industry. Visit the Web page at http://home.doe.gov/news/releases99/augpr/prb99027.htm for more information. DOE Awards Over $13 Million in Financial Assistance To Support Bioenergy Executive Order Energy Efficiency Comes to National Parks Ford Announces Winners of $2.7 Million Natural Gas Challange Ford will Spend $2.7 million over the next year to support natural gas vehicle (NGV) marketing and public outreach efforts in three U.S. cities as part of its "CNG Challange" program, plus another $1 million on AFV fueling projects in a handful of other cities as part of a separate infrastructure development program. July 1999 Microtechnology Brings Automotive Fuel Cells One Step Closer Wisconsin Electric has been awarded the Wisconsin Alternative Fuel Vehicle Leadership Award for their use of natural gas vehicles. The Clean Air Partnership Fund: Opportunities for local clean air investment Press release: Shell Hydrogen and Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. to investigate hydrogen infrastructure. The Northeast Ohio Clean Fuels Coalition hosted its first Advancing the AFV Choice event Wednesday, July 21. The Red River Valley Announces: UND Buses to Pan Am Games Will Run on Clean, Renewable Biodiesel Fuel See what Alternative Fuels projects are being funded under the State Energy Program (SEP) Special Projects for program year 1999. Processor Converts Multiple Fuels to Hydrogen Northwest Power Systems (NPS) announced last week that it had developed a processor that converts diesel fuel, biodiesel, and kerosene into high-purity hydrogen. The processor, developed under contract to DOE's Sandia National Laboratories, creates the possibility of replacing diesel generators with hydrogen-powered fuel cells without changing fuels. In recent tests, the processor produced 99.8-percent pure hydrogen using any of the fuels. NPS had previously developed a processor to convert methanol to hydrogen. For more information, see the Press Releases section of the NPS Web site at: http://www.northwestpower.com/ Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Withdrawal of Previous Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Program; Petroleum-Equivalent Fuel Economy Calculation--In response to public comments, the Department of Energy (DOE) revises its proposal to amend its regulations on electric and hybrid vehicles to provide a petroleum-equivalency factor (PEF) and procedures for calculating the petroleum-equivalent fuel economy of electric vehicles. The petroleum-equivalent fuel economy values of an automobile manufacturer's electric vehicles may then be included in the calculation of that manufacturer's corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) according to regulations prescribed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation. (HTML format) or (PDF Format 44KB) June 1999 US Department of Energy Awards Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) $250,000 for Auto Test Projects. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson Welcomes State of Connecticut to Clean Cities Program FutureCar Challenge Proves Fuel-Efficient Technologies Eleven fuel-efficient cars crossed the finish line on June 10th to complete the 1999 FutureCar Challenge. Student teams spent months modifying mid-size family sedans to maximize their fuel efficiencies without compromising safety, comfort, or convenience. The winning team, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, converted a Mercury Sable into a hybrid diesel/electric vehicle, achieving 62.7 miles per gallon in the two-day on-road fuel economy test. For more information, see the DOE press release or the Environmental News Network page: Fuel Cell engines win top honors. 1999 CLEAN CITIES NATIONAL PARTNER AWARD WINNERS In recognition of their exemplary role and accomplishments in the alternative fuels and vehicle industry, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) salutes the pioneering efforts of the following: Ford Motor Company H.E. Butt Grocery Company New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Pierce Transit Southern Company and Georgia Power Tulsa Public School District Yellow Cab Company of Connecticut Jim Moore of the Lone Star Energy Company -- Pioneer Award Winner Each will receive the 1999 Clean Cities National Partner Award and will be inducted into the Clean Cities Hall of Fame. The North Central Texas Council of Governments is seeking an Administrative Assistant II to conduct alternative fuel marketing efforts, vehicle maintenance marketing efforts, planning studies, and other quantitative analyses. Responsibilities include assistance with alternative fuels committee activities, surveys and inventories, development of newsletters, public information/outreach, and other energy/air quality-related activities. This position will also serve as the Clean Cities Coordinator for the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Applicants must be able to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing. Applicants should have the equivalent of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university, with major concentration in communication, public administration, media relations, or urban planning. At least two years' experience in public administration is also required. Starting salary range--$2,326.13 to $2,558.74 per month, DOQ. Please mail or fax resume by June 21, 1999, to: Transportation Department, NCTCOG, P.O. Box 5888, Arlington, TX 76005-5888, 817/640-3028 (fax). NCTCOG is an equal opportunity employer. May 1999 The Department of Transportation has issued Final Guidance on the CMAQ program. Clean Cities Conference Keynote address - May 1999, presented by Dan Reicher. (PDF Format 55KB) Meeting the Transportation Meeting the Transportation Challenges of Challenges of the New Millennium: the New Millennium: Full Speed Ahead! Full Speed Ahead! - Presented by Tom Gross at the 5th National Clean Cities Conference, May 1999. (PDF Format 5KB) Students Complete in 2nd Annual Ethanol Vehicle Challenge Nine Award Winning Clean Cities Coalitions for 1999 Four outstanding new Case Studies about are available! These case studies are part of the focus fleet studies sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Technology Utilization, and managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. These studies are designed to collect and provide objective information on real-world fleet experiences with AFVs and to demonstrate that AFVs can meet the vehicle needs of fleets. Experience with Bi-Fuel LPG Pickups in Texas Denver SuperShuttle CNG Fleet Evaluation Barwood Cab Fleet Study Summary Ohio's First Ethanol-Fueled Light-Duty Fleet Biodiesel "B20" Workshop The AFDC Web Site has been redesigned! We have made the site more user friendly and have added new content. Please take the time to tell us what you think about the new site. Send all comments to the AFDC Webmaster. DOE Designates New Alternative Fuel - P-series Fuel Senator Rockefeller introduces Bill to expand the use of alternative fuel vehicles April 1999 New Energy Partnership Formed To Advance the Use of Fuel Cells (4/24/99) Ann Arbor Coalition Joins Clean Cities Program Final Results of the Barwood Cab Fleet Study (PDF Format 421KB) are now available. DOE Offers Cash Back for AFV Purchases The Department of Energy (DOE) is offering rebates to companies and local governments that operate fleets in certain counties of Pennsylvania that purchase new alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). Through the Greater Philadelphia Clean Cities Program, DOE will provide cash rebates to eligible fleets in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. The deadline to submit applications for a rebate is May 9. Contact: Karen Conklin, phone 215-656-6969. Departments of Energy and Interior Launch Green Energy Parks Program (4/27/99) Energy Department Designates Albany Area 'Clean City,' Announces New Fuel Cell Partnership (4/26/99) DOE to Provide $2.25 Million to Small Businesses and Educational Institutions for Automotive Research (4/9/99) Energy Department Funding Available for Automotive R&D (4/9/99) Attention all PEBB participants..... The 3rd Annual Review of the Virtual Test Bed project, focusing on advanced simulation, visualization, and virtual prototyping of power electronics and mixed-technology systems, will be held on June 8-9, 1999 at the University of South Carolina, in Columbia, SC. Pre-registration by May 21, 1999 is required. Hotel reservations must be made by May 25, 1999 to receive the conference rate. The conference agenda is not yet set, but will be available in early May. Check the Virtual Test Bed (VTB) web site for additional details and to register electronically. March 1999 DOE recognizes Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance and 68th member of Clean Cities Program (PDF Format 4KB) Yellow Cab Company drives green New Research and Development Solicitation for an Automotive Electric Motor Drive (DE-SC08-99EE50569). A Bidders Conference in relation to this solicitation is planned for April 9, 1999 at USCAR. Effects of Fuel Ethanol Use on Fuel-Cycle Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (PDF Format 367KB) published by Argonne National Laboratory) Perspectives on AFVs: State and City Government Fleet Manager Survey (PDF Format 507KB) February 1999 Job Opportunity The Wisconsin Southeast Area (Milwaukee) Coalition is seeking an Executive Director for the Clean Cities effort. Some of the responsibilities include: fund raising activities, grant writing,work plan development, educational program development and coordination, and day to day organization operations. Candidate should have at least three years experience successfully raising funds for non-profit organizations. Experience in organizing educational programs and events is required and knowledge of the alternative fuels industry is a plus. Initial six month contract salary is $25,000-$30,000 depending on experience. If interested, please send resume to: Wisconsin Clean Cities-Southeast Area 231 W. Michigan Street Milwaukee,Wisconsin 53201 Attn. Bob Reagan P421 DOE Announces $1 Million in Grants for New Ethanol Technologies at National Ethanol Conference (2/24/99) Energy $mart Schools Find out about DOE's Energy $mart Schools Program reinvesting in education. January 1999 EPAct/CFFP Fact Sheet (PDF Format 23KB) A quick guide to understanding these two important pieces of legislation Frequently Asked Questions about Alternative Fuels (PDF Format 96KB) Model Year 1999: Light-Duty Alternative Fuel Vehicles Available or Nearing Completion (PDF Format 24KB) Alternative Fuel News, Volume 2, No. 5 (PDF Format 1,352KB) 1998 News 1997 News