GBRCCC

(Photo credit: Cristian RH7)

This Independence Day we leave you with a reminder of our main goal here at Clean Cities:  Ultimately,  to reduce our nation’s dependence on imported petroleum by advancing the nation’s economic, environmental, and energy security. The Greater Baton Rouge Clean Cities Coalition will help accomplish this goal through  local practices that contribute to the reduction of petroleum fuels consumption.

Drive happy, be safe and when it comes time to green your fleet – give us  a call!

Happy Independence Day America!

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Hydrogen fueling nozzle (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Will the U.S. ever follow Germany’s lead in expanding the hydrogen network, or will battery electric vehicles ultimately improve enough to make hydrogen technology obsolete?

Green Car Report - http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1077112_germany-expanding-hydrogen-network-will-u-s-ever-follow

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• Germany will have 50 hydrogen stations by 2015 (green.autoblog.com)
• How boat engineering is keeping hydrogen power hopes buoyant (guardian.co.uk)

Bobby Jindal (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The expansion of the LA Alternative Fuel Tax Credit to include E85 Flex Fuel Vehicles, among some others, was rescinded by Governor Jindal on June 14, 2012. While the law (Act 469 of 2009) still stands, the Ruling that details the expansion has been rescinded.  The Department of Revenue (LDR) states on their website that they will honor any refunds already paid. LDR will grant requests for tax refunds which are post marked on or before June 14, 2012 (the date the rule was rescinded). Click here for more information.

What does this ruling mean to you?  We have gathered together related legislation, statements and articles to keep you informed.

DNR: LA Alternative Fuel Vehicle Incentives and Laws

Louisiana Department of Revenue Statement

Related articles

• CPA Seeks Clarity on Alt Fuel Credit (theadvocate.com) July 16, 2012
  Gov. Jindal rejects tax credit (ktbs.com)
• The Advocate 6/18/12 Revenue secretary Bridges resigns after tax-break news
• http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1077222_louisianas-latest-political-drama-involves-alt-fuel-vehicles
• Jim Engster Radio Show 6/21 and 6/22  On June 21st, C.B. Forgoston comments on the Jim Engster Show on the recent upheaval at the Department of Revenue over the expansion of the tax credit (C.B. speaks on 2nd half of the show). The June 22nd show features both Senator Dan Claitor and Former Secretary of State and Commissioner of Insurance Jim Brown.

On June 12, 2012 word began to spread that East Baton Rouge City Parish is planning to convert its fleet of Government vehicles to CNG (Compressed Natural Gas). The reasoning behind the move was  to save money on fuel and reduce the amount of harmful emissions produced (see previous post WHO Declares Diesel Fumes Cancerous). More accurately – the  City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge wants to investigate the potential of converting its over 1000 vehicle fleet to the use of Compressed Natural Gas. The vehicles they are considering converting are the DPW’s and City Administrative vehicles. The City/Parish determined they would like use the State Statue 33:4547 for Energy Efficiency Performance Contracting (EEPC) as the mechanism to convert their fleet. This Statue was designed primarily for improving energy efficiencies and related dollar savings in buildings, but this will be its first initial use as mechanism for CNG facilities and vehicle conversions.

The program is built around Energy Conservation Measures (ECM’s) as the basis of energy and costs savings. The intent of the program is for EEPC proposers to provide both CNG fueling facilities and vehicle conversions at no costs to the City/Parish while also providing a guaranteed annual savings over the life of the project based on the potential fuel costs savings due to use of CNG. The first step of the process was for the City/Parish to retain a Third-party Independent Consultant for Evaluation Services in conjunction with the selection of an Energy Service Company that will provide management and energy-related capital, equipment, and/or operational improvement services for the East Baton Rouge Parish DPW motor vehicle fleet.

The City/Parish advertised for consultants and selected Professional Engineering Consultants as the firm to serve as the Third part Independent Consultant. The firm’s scope of services to perform the duties of the “Third-party Evaluation Consultant” as provided in Louisiana Revised Statute 33:4547.1 et.seq., included:

• Work with the DPW Engineering office to review the DPW vehicle inventory, fuel usage records, fuel distribution facilities and assist in the development of a list of possible Energy Conservation Measures that can be included in a Request for Proposals (RFP). The selection of a Performance-Based energy Efficiency Contractor is to provide the design, installation, subsequent measurement and verification measures for reduction of fuel consumption in the estimated 2000 road and off road DPW‘s vehicle fleet.

• Review and evaluation of all proposals that may be submitted in response to the RFP.

• Assist the RFP selection committee in their review and evaluation of all proposals that may be submitted in response to the RFP.

• Submission of the results from our evaluation in an open meeting with the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council Capitol Improvement Committee.

• Attend the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council meeting to respond to questions or comments related to our evaluation.

• Assist the Department of Public Works in the negotiation process with the selected Contractor during the preparation of various performance estimates, monitoring and verification plans and other technical aspects of the contract, schedules and attachments.

The Contract is estimated to take over over 18 months for the first phase of construction of fueling facilities and vehicle conversions.

Related articles

• EBR converting vehicles to natural gas | Home | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA.
• East Baton Rouge is attempting to introduce natural gas vehicles (USGasVehicles.com)

Monday @ Sonic on Highland Road

The Greater Baton Rouge Clean Cities Coalition (GBRCCC) would like to welcome the MINDDRIVE team to Baton Rouge. This team of high school students from Kansas City, MO have converted a 1977 Lotus Esprit into an electric (EV) vehicle. As part of their 2,400 mile cross country tour, they will be stopping at the Sonic Drive In on Highland Road at I10 on Monday, June 18th at 6:30PM for a press conference and to show off their car.

Quick Facts:

Who:  High School Students from Kansas City, MO Journey:  2,400 mile journey from San Diego, CA to Jacksonville, FL

The Car: A prototype ultra-high-efficiency plug-in electric vehicle that they designed and built from a 1977 Lotus Espirit

The Program:  The group, MINDDRIVE, is an educational program for at-risk urban high school students focused on hands-on activities in an automotive design class.  After a successful trip in 2010, this year’s class is making the trip to showcase the benefits of EVs and their accomplishment of designing a fully electric vehicle

Learn more about MINDDRIVE and their mission: www.minddrive.org

Related article

• MINDDRIVE’S Electric Car Project Seeks National Sponsorships for Coast-To-Coast Demonstration Run (prweb.com)

Tuesday, June 12, 2012 The World Health Organization’s cancer agency officially declared in a ruling that Diesel fumes cause cancer. The Science panel raised the status of diesel exhaust from “probable carcinogen” to carcinogen.

WHO: Diesel fumes cause cancer | Business | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA.

Clean Cities Diesel Emission Reduction Programs

Clean Cities helps vehicle fleets and consumers reduce their petroleum use. Clean Cities builds partnerships with local and statewide organizations in the public and private sectors to adopt:

• Alternative and renewable fuels
• Idle-reduction measures
• Fuel economy improvements
• New transportation technologies, as they emerge.

To learn more, contact your local Clean Cities Coordinator gbrccc@gmail.com.

Attention Clean Fuel Stakeholders
Thanks to a partnership between GBRCCC and the Government Fleet Expo (GFX), we are offering a discount to the event being held in Denver from June 18-20. You or your agency’s fleet manager can save $50 on registration just for being a member of our coalition! If you register by Friday, May 25th, you can save an additional $100!

Full schedule is available at the GFX website : http://www.governmentfleetexpo.com

Your conference registration covers:

• 12 hours of education and training that address your top challenges
• 12 hours of on-site and on-the-town networking opportunities
• Two catered breakfasts and two networking lunches
• Special rates at two premier area hotels
• Flash drive containing industry-specific business plans, templates and spreadsheets.
• An exhibit hall filled with the newest vehicles & latest technologies from a wide range of companies

Registration information and additional details are included for you in the PDF attached. Hotel rooms are filling up fast so register today! Please feel free to contact us at GBRCCC  if you have any questions.

Sunday, April 22nd, join the Greater Baton Rouge Clean Cities Coalition at Louisiana 2012 Earth Day celebration!

Located in downtown Baton Rouge, this event is one of the largest environmental festivals in the nation. With an exciting music line-up from noon ’till 8:30pm, it’s no wonder. Headlining artists performing on the four festival stages include Soul Rebels, Marcia Bell, and Tab Benoit, just to name a few!

Stop by the GBR Clean Cities’ tents on the corner of North Blvd. & 4th Street between 12-5pm to see a line-up of another kind. You’ll see us in front of the City Club of Baton Rouge with a banner and clean fuel exhibit. Our display will feature alternative fuel vehicles including:

- Compressed Natural Gas Converted Pick-Up
- Compressed Natural Gas, Honda Civic GX
- Plug-In Electric Vehicle, Nissan Leaf
- Propane Converted Pick-Up
- Propane Lawn Mower

We are looking forward to seeing you and answering your questions about advanced vehicle technology and alternative fuel infrastructure. For more information about Louisiana Earth Day, visit laearthday.org. Please send an email to gbrccc@gmail.com if you have any questions about our display vehicles.

“Clean Fuels for a Greater Baton Rouge”

The Greater Baton Rouge Clean Cities Coalition (GBRCCC) is a designated affiliate of the Department of Energy program in conjunction with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. We appreciate support provided by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and all of our generous stakeholders. Membership to GBRCCC is available to the public at large. To subscribe to our newsletter, click here.

GBRCCC is officially on the hunt for three new interns to work part-time this summer!

Selected candidates will receive the opportunity to develop resume skills and portfolio materials, enjoy a flexible schedule and potentially gain class credit.  

Each Summer Intern will choose one project to focus on throughout the summer, in addition to assisting with the development of GBRCCC’s new student organization C4.  Project selections include the Campus Biodiesel Fire Truck Program, LSU Electric Vehicle Educational Program and the Car Sharing Program at LSU.  

We’re looking for deadline oriented candidates with initiative, strong communication skills, the ability to work well in a team, as well as independently, with minimal supervision.  Of course knowledge or curiosity for alternative fuel and transportation are a must b.  Interested students of any major are highly encouraged to apply, though Communications, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Economics or Renewable Resources are all especially relevant for this position.  

A completed description of the Summer Internship is available through this link: http://bit.ly/IEiaMk.  

If you are interested in applying, email resume to Matt Wyatt (matt.gbrccc@gmail.com) and complete the online application available here: http://bit.ly/IBtGN4.  

For questions, comments, or concerns, please contact Matt Wyatt (matt.gbrccc@gmail.com; 901-626-6600) or Lauren Stuart (lauren.gbrccc@gmail.com).

Washington, LA THE STATE OF LOUISIANA’S 1ST COMPRESSED LANDFILL

GAS FUELING STATION IS NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL.

ST. LANDRY PARISH SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL DISTRICT LANDFILL GAS

FUELING STATION RIBBON CUTTING AND OPEN HOUSE WILL BE HELD
WEDNESDAY MAY 2ND, 2012 FROM 10-12 PM at the St. Landry Parish landfill
located at 417 Solid Waste Road in Washington, LA 70589.

Media & Public Invited to Enjoy Refreshments, Tours, St. Landry  & more.
Join us as we host a ribbon cutting and tour of St. Landry’s new landfill gas fueling station
and fleet of eco-friendly compressed landfill gas-powered vehicles.

Guests will have an opportunity to tour the facility and meet our Commission staff and
project partners. The District in conjunction with the St. Landry Parish Sheriffs Department
is excited to deploy the State’s first fleet of vehicles fueled with this cost effective lower
emission alternative vehicle fuel. This entire project was brought to fruition with the insight
of the St. Landry Parish Solid Waste Commission in partnership with funds secured by GT
Environmental Finance through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the
EmPower Louisiana Transportation Efficiency & Alternative Fuels Grant Program
Administered by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.