In This Issue

D11 Debuts Propane Powered School Bus

D11s Yellow School Bus Goes Green

Colorado Springs School District 11 announced that it has a lease-tobuy program with Colorado West, a distributor of Blue Bird Corporation, for a 2013 Blue Bird Propane-Powered Vision school bus. District 11 is the only school district in the Pikes Peak region with a propane bus as part of their fleet. District 11 will be testing this bus during 2012, to evaluate its performance, reliability, and fiscal viability as a potential future alternative to their gasoline and diesel school buses. These buses are built with safety, efficiency, and performance in mind. With similar design features as Blue Birds conventional buses, this bus is fueled by propane with the ROUCH CleanTech Liquid Propane Autogas Fuel System. It meets all the same exacting safety standards as other Blue Bird products and meets all School Bus Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, including fuel system integrity for liquefied natural gas. District 11 continues to look for ways to improve our green efforts and be a responsible community partner, the district said in a statement announcing the availability of the bus. For more, Click Here.

CNG, Biofuels Get $44 Million in New Federal Research Funds Denver Plumber Goes Green With Boulder EV Solar Carports Project FEVER Updates! DOE Clean Fleets Adds Best Buy, Johnson Controls

CNG, Biofuels Get Federal Funding

The feds have announced $44 million in new funding toward research and development for using biofuels and natural gas as transportation fuels. The DOEs Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) program will provide $30 million for research into natural gas, and the DOE is also making $14 million available for algae-based biofuels R&D. The ARPA-E funding will support a new initiative called Methane Opportunities for Vehicular Energy, or MOVE. This R&D will emphasize finding ways to develop natural gas storage technologies that are lower in cost and can operate at lower tank pressures. ARPA-E will mainly fund projects that focus on the creation of lightweight tanks and absorbing materials that are sized properly for passenger vehicles. From NGT News

If you have questions about the Southern Colorado Clean Cities Coalition, or youd like to know more about becoming a partner, call Executive Director Alicia Archibald today at (719) 494-6592 or email Alicia@ cleancitiescolorado.org

SC4 March 2012 719-494-6592 http://southern.cleancitiescolorado.org

Experts Agree: $5/Gallon Gasoline Is Coming Fast

With no clear end to tensions with Iran and Syria and rising demand from countries like China, gas prices are already at record highs for the winter months averaging $4.32 in California and $3.73 a gallon nationally on Wednesday, according to AAAs Daily Fuel Gauge Report. As summer approaches, demand for gasoline around 20 cents a gallon. demand for gasoline rises, typically pushing prices up rises, typically pushing prices up around 20 cents a gallon. And gallon or more, analysts say, if the cents a and economic And gas prices could rise another 50 cents a gas prices could rise another 50diplomaticgallon or more, analysts say, if the diplomatic and economic some other major supply standoff over Irans nuclear ambitions escalates into military conflict or there is standoff over Irans nuclear ambitions escalates into military conflict or there is some other major supply disruption. disruption. If we get some kind of explosion like an Israeli attack or some local Iranian revolutionary guard decides If we get some kind explosion see oil prices push up 20 to 25 percent to take matters in his own hands and attacks a tanker of than wed like an Israeli attack or some local Iranian revolutionary guard decides Lynch, matters of Strategic Energy higher and another 50 cents a gallon at the pump, said Michael C. to takepresidentin his own hands and attacks a tanker than wed see oil prices push up 20 to 25 percent and Economic Research. higher and another 50 cents a unleaded gasoline, said Michael C. Lynch, For the typical driver who pumps 60 gallons a month of regulargallon at the pump,a 50-cent increase in president of Strategic Energy and Economic Research. price means an extra expense of $30 a month. For the typical driver who pumps 60 gallons a month of regular unleaded gasoline, a 50-cent increase in price means an extra expense of $30 a month. From The New York Times

Denver Plumber Goes Green With The Help of Boulder EV

Project FEVER Update

Next Meeting: 3/15 @ 2 pm Delta City Hall, Delta, CO Phone-in option available Website launch:
www.ElectricRideColorado.com

Boulder Electric Vehicle has delivered its very first production vehicle! The initial DV-500 has been sold to Denver-area Precision Plumbing, Heating & Cooling who have made a commitment to buy 20 of the all-electrics. The new Boulder EV trucks performance differs slightly from the original prototype debuted last year. The production version boasts an 80-kWh battery pack made up of China-sourced lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cells that weigh in at 1,300 lbs and are said to be good for 120 miles of range. Power comes from an 80-kW AC motor that gives the 7,000-lb truck a 70 mileper-hour top speed. Precision Plumbing's Tom Robichaud says that despite the higher up-front costs, he expects to save $6,000 to $8,000 per vehicle per year in lower operating costs and anticipates the trucks to be good for 300,000 miles. Currently, he says, the Sprinter vans he uses now are replaced after 100,000 miles. For more, visit AutoBlog.com
SC4 March 2012 719-494-6592 http://southern.cleancitiescolorado.org

Save the date: 5/17 Colorado Rides Electric Day in Colorado Springs Were seeking electric vehicles of any kind, EV Supply Equipment, renewable energy charging products and sponsors. If you are interested in participating or learning more about the CO Rides Electric Day event, please email Jodi Schultz or call 719-2135001. First Responder Training: Various dates (May to Sept) Arapahoe Community College, Littleton, CO This program prepares first responders to operate safely at incidents involving hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric and EVs. More details here or call Meredith Tofi eld at 303-734-3701

Solar Carports: A SpaceSaving Solution

All across America, surface parking lots dot metropolitan landscapes, serving the same solitary purpose day after day, a poster child for underutilized real estate. But that is changing in some These solar carports at Fort Carson provide shade and power to workers in the parts of the country. Parking 43rd Sustainment Brigade HQ. lots are quietly becoming the new frontier in solar power. While photovoltaic solarpanel installations are most countryparking lotsand people are starting to figure out its the best often seen on swaths of place to install solar, says Desmond Wheatley, president and CEO of vacant land or on top of California-based Envision Solar, a firm that specializes in the development buildings, parking lots are of solar parking installations. quickly emerging as a new Large-scale parking lots are becoming increasingly popular for solar hotspot for solar projects, power because they are wide-open outdoor spaces that cover a large primarily on the East and West footprint, typically larger than building rooftops. Plus, because the panels Coasts. So far this year, are raised 12 to 20 feet (3.6 to 6 m) off the ground, they provide the thousands of solar panels additional benefit of shade for the cars parked underneath them. Thus, have been constructed over solar parking products and projects often use terms connoting shade, such parking lots at government as solar trees, solar canopies, solar shields, and solar carports. offices in California, a football The amount of photovoltaic energy installed in 2010 was double 2009s stadium in Maryland, a zoo in level, in terms of megawatts produced, and installations in the first half of Ohio, and a corporate this year are up 70 percent over the same period last year, according to campus in New Jersey, quarterly surveys and research conducted by the Solar Energy Industries among other places. Association in Washington, D.C., and Greentech Media Research in You have this huge, massive, Boston. Article from Zam Energy underutilized resource in this countryparking lotsand people are starting to figure out its the best place to About two-thirds of U.S. solar projects this year have occurred on install solar, says Desmond Wheatley, president and CEO nonresidential commercial real estate. In parking lots, solar projects are Sending an all-electric vehicle of California-based Envision up Pikes Peak is not usually constructed in one of two ways: the traditional row after row of new a firm that Leaf and in Solar, - a Nissan specializesa custom EV from AC raised rectangular strips; or column after column of single pole-mounted Propulsion made of solar the development the climb in 2011. But that panels, resembling a grove of trees. Likewise, project deals are usually shouldn't stop anyone from trying to reach the parking installations. structured inand of two ways: a utility company or solar developer installs 14,110-foot height in Colorado better, faster one the solar system and either leases it to the property owner or makes lease in a cooler car. Enter Mitsubishi and a radically payments to the property owner, depending on who uses the electricity. reworked allelectric i-MiEV Prototype (right) that will production i-MiEV" and it'll be piloted by well-known participate in the 2012 are Large-scale parking lots Pikes Peak International Hill driver Hiroshi Masuoka, who won the Dakar Rally in Climb this July. Based becoming increasingly on sketches released last 2002 and 2003 behind the wheels of a Mitsubishi month, the car is a one-seat racer the certainly popular for solar power Pajero and Pajero Evolution, respectively. looks ready for on-track duty. It also looks nothing because they are wide-open Mitsubishi will "use the data obtained through its like the bean-shaped i-MiEV we've grown For property owners, the benefits include lower energy costs on the site, participation in outdoor spaces that cover a accustomed to. We're certainly curious how well emissions from using the event to enhance the durability reduced carbon less plant-generated electricity, plus and reliability of pure EVs and plug-in hybrid EVs which large footprint, typically larger powertrain is made it'll make the peak, since the the public display ofitsustainable business practices. Overall, the return on will be bringing to market in the near future." than building rooftops.components as the current up of "the same EV Plus, investment for property owners can be in the range of 10 to 15 percent, From AutoBlog.com production panels and because the i-MiEV" are it'll be piloted by wellaccording Dakar Park, director of business development for REC Solar, a to Ryan known driver feet (3.6 to 6 raised 12 to 20Hiroshi Masuoka, who won the SC4 March 2012 719-494-6592 http://southern.cleancitiescolorado.org California-based solar installation firm that has designed parking-lot Rally the ground, 2003 behind the wheels of a m) off in 2002 andthey projects. Mitsubishi Pajero and Pajero Evolution, respectively. provide the additional benefit

EVs Returning To The Pikes Peak Hill Climb This Year!

Detroit Automakers Add CNG To Their Truck Line

Announcements from GM and Chrysler Group this week suggest that two of Detroit's Big Three see the pickup truck market, particularly in the commercial and fleet sectors, as a potential area of growth for vehicles powered by compressed natural gas. GM says its 2013 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 HD extended-cab pickups will be available as bi-fuel models featuring a CNG fueling option. The power plant is the Vortec 6.0 L V8 engine, which will switch between CNG and gasoline fuel. GM has focused much of its initial product messaging on the trucks' range: a conservative 650 miles between the gasoline and CNG. These pickups complement a burgeoning market for GM vans equipped with CNG, such as the Chevrolet Express 2500 and 3500 cargo vans that fleets such as AT&T are adding to their lots in increasing numbers. For its part, Chrysler's Ram Truck division is planning to manufacture a factory-built CNG model for fleet and commercial customers in North America. According to Chrysler, the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG pickup will feature the 5.7 L HEMI V-8 modified to operate on both CNG and gasoline. The engine has redesigned cylinder heads with CNG-compatible valves and valve-seat materials, along with a CNG fuel rail and injector set. New spark plugs and powertrain control modules are also part of the platform. Both GM and Chrysler will deliver their CNG offerings through existing channels. GM will build the Silverado and Sierra in its Fort Wayne, Ind., facility and then ship these vehicles to IMPCO Technologies Inc. in Union City, Ind., which will install an aftermarket CNG bi-fuel delivery and storage system. From NGTNews.com

Funding Opportunities
Light-Duty Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Validation Data $6,000,000 Open Date: 02/29/2012 Close Date: 04/30/2012 Funding Organization: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Funding Number: DE-FOA-0000625 Summary: In this Light-Duty Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Validation Data Announcement (FOA), the Fuel Cell Technologies (FCT) Program seeks to fund the collection, analysis, and validation of light-duty hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) performance data operating in real-world environments. Feedback will be provided to the DOE hydrogen and fuel cell R&D projects and industry partners to help determine what additional R&D is required to move the technology forward. The total DOE funding available for new awards is estimated to be $6,000,000. The full Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is posted on the EERE Exchange website at https://eereexchange.energy.gov. Applications must be submitted through the EERE Exchange website to be considered for award. The applicant must first register and create an account on the EERE Exchange website. The Users' guide for applying to Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's (EERE) Funding opportunity Announcements (FOA) through the Exchange website can be found at https://eereexchange.energy.gov/Manuals.aspx. Information on where to submit questions regarding the content of the announcement and where to submit questions regarding submission of applications is found in the full FOA posted on the EERE Exchange website. For more information, see the full solicitation. *** FTA Clean Fuels Program $51.5 million Deadline: 04/05/2012 Summary: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) seeks project proposals as part of its Clean Fuels Program to fund projects from non-attainment or maintenance areas in achieving or maintaining the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone and carbon monoxide. The program focus is on emerging clean fuel and advanced propulsion technologies for transit buses and markets for those technologies. FTA also intends to further the environmental sustainability goals by allowing proposers in attainment areas that are not eligible under the Clean Fuels Grant Program to apply for projects which promote the use of clean fuels and fund those projects with Bus and Bus Facilities program funds. The program has allocated $51.5 million for eligible projects. Eligible Applicants: Designated recipients in maintenance or non-attainment areas for ozone or CO under section 107(d) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7407(d)), that are entities designated to receive Federal urbanized formula funds under 49 U.S.C. 5307. Tribes, States and Designated Recipients may submit consolidated proposals for projects in non-urbanized areas. FTA will also accept applications from direct recipients, Tribes, and State Departments of Transportation in attainment areas for projects that meet eligibility criteria under the Bus and Bus Facilities Program. The deadline for submitting applications is midnight Eastern Time on April 5, 2012. The Notice of Funding Availability can be found here.

SC4 March 2012 719-494-6592 http://southern.cleancitiescolorado.org

LOCAL EVENTS
03/27 - SC4 Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting, 8:30 am, Daniels Long Chevrolet, Motor City, Colorado Springs. Details to follow 03/21 - Sustainable Opportunities Summit 2012, 8:30 - 5pm, Denver 04/01 - Pikes Peak Earth Day Kickoff Celebration, Colorado Springs 04/09 04/11 - Global New Energy Summit, Colorado Springs 04/16 04/19 - International Biomass Conference and Expo, Denver 05/13 05/17 - World Renewable Energy Forum (WREF), Denver 05/17 - Colorado Rides Electric Day, Colorado Springs. Details to come 06/10 06/12 - 2012 Summit for Recycling, Pueblo 06/18 06/20 - Government Fleet Expo and Conference 2012, Denver

DOE: 4 New Partners On The Clean Fleets Team

Energy Secretary Steven Chu has announced that four new corporate partnersBest Buy, Johnson Controls, Pacific Gas and Electric, and Veoliaare joining the Energy Department's National Clean Fleets Partnership, a broad public-private partnership that assists the nation's largest fleet operators in reducing the amount of gasoline and diesel they use nationwide. The new partners join with 14 other major national companies in committing to improve the fuel economy of the commercial fleets, integrate alternative technology vehicles like natural gas trucks and electric vehicles into their fleets, and reduce their overall fuel use. Collectively, the National Clean Fleets Partners operate more than a million commercial vehicles nationwide, accounting for more than 12% of all commercial vehicles on American roads. "As part of the President's all-of-the-above approach to reducing fuel costs for American consumers and businesses, the NCFP helps leading U.S. companies reduce their fuel use, save money, and become models for fleets across the nation to improve their efficiency," said Chu. "By adopting alternative fuels, advanced vehicles and by making their operations smarter and more fuel-efficient, these national partners are increasing their competitiveness

NATIONAL EVENTS
03/25 03/28 Energy Indepdence Summit, Washington, DC 03/27 03/29 - 61st Annual Vehicle Maintenance Management Conference, Shoreline, WA 05/06 05/09 - International Electric Vehicle Symposium, Los Angeles, CA 05/14 05/17 - ACT 2012 (Alterative Clean Transportation Expo), Long Beach, CA

Phone:
(719) 494-6592

About The Southern Colorado Clean Cities Coalition

Southern Colorado Clean Cities Coalition (SC4) develops public/private partnerships in Southern Colorado to promote alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, fuel blends, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, idle reduction, and alternative modes of transportation. SC4 enhances energy, environmental, and economic security throughout southern Colorado by promoting efforts to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector. Designated a U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities program in 1994, the Southern Colorado Coalition spans 30 counties south of I-70. Current SC4 partners include: Governor's Energy Office, Colorado Springs Utilities, Daniels Long Chevrolet, Black Hills Corp, JW Energy, Farrell Gas, AireDock, Eaton, ROUSH CleanTech, City of Colorado Springs, US General Services Administration, Yellow Cab, City of Fountain, Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine, Pueblo County, Amerigas, Perkins Motor Company, Duke's Garage, San Isabel Electric, Phil Long Ford, Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, and El Paso County. Contact us to join today!

E-Mail:
Alicia@ cleancitiescolorado.org Dianne@ cleancitiescolorado.org

Web:
http://southern.clean citiescolorado.org

Find Us on Facebook:
Southern Colorado Clean Cities Coalition

Follow Us On Twitter:
@SoCOCleanCities

SC4 March 2012 719-494-6592 http://southern.cleancitiescolorado.org