ReFUEL March 2013 | Wisconsin Clean Cities - Southeast Area | Monthly Newsletter
In This Issue:
MGE, Speedway Open Madison Area’s First Public 24/7 CNG Fueling Site U.S. Oil Builds CNG Network in Wisconsin Kwik Trip & Waste Management Inducted as National Partners Clean Cities Celebrates 20 Years! Mark Your Calendars! Events, News, and More...
“Driving Wisconsin Forward”
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ReFUEL is Wisconsin Clean Cities Southeast Area’s (WCC-SEA) Marchly coalition newsletter. WCC-SEA is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), organization, and is one of nearly 100 Clean Cities coalitions across the U.S. WCC-SEA works to reduce emissions, encourage the use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles, and develop the refueling infrastructure necessary to sustain the industry.
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In This Issue: Question of the Month
Page 5
Where can I find information specific to alternative fuel and advanced vehicles in my state?
Page 6
Welcome New and Returning Members Features: MGE, Speedway Open Madison Area’s First 24/7 Public CNG Fueling Site
Pages 8-11
U.S. Oil Acquires CNG Stations to Further Build CNG Network in Wisconsin Kwik Trip & Waste Management Inducted into Clean Cities National Clean Fleets Partnership Clean Cities Celebrates 20 Years!
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Mark Your Calendars!
A full listing of events WCC is hosting and attending
Fleets Across The U.S.
Oregon Leads the Charge for Plug-In Vehicles and Infrastructure
Eye On Clean Cities
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Are you a member yet? Sta r t mak in g a n i m pa c t by j oi n i n g Wi s con s i n Cle a n Cities to day ! W CC - S E A re l ie s o n su ppo r t f ro m o u r mem b er s. D ues and cor p orate me m be rs h ip s e n abl e W CC-SEA to h o l d meet ings, sp onsor ed uc at ional wor k sh o p s, an d prov i de v i ta l o u trea ch mater ials.
Wh at c an WCC- S E A do for you ?
• Net wor k i n g o p po r tu nities w it h fl eets & in dus tr y pa r tn er s • Te ch n i cal t ra ining, wo r k sho ps, a n d webin a r s • I nfo r mat i o n reso u rces o n a l ter n ative fuel s, a dva n ced veh ic l es, idl e redu c t i on , and o ther tec hno l o gies th at reduce petro l eum us e • I ndi v i d u al co nsu l t at io n a nd tec h n ic a l a s s is ta n ce • Fun d i n g o p p o r t u nit ies f ro m t he U.S . D epa r tm ent o f E n ergy, s tate and loc al g ove r n m ent a g enc ies, non pro fits, a n d fo un datio n s • Pub l i c re cognitio n fo r pro gress in reduc in g petro l eum co n s um ption • As s i s t an ce w ith m edia o u trea ch
J oin to d ay!
Vis i t w w w. wi cl ea nc ities. o rg / j o in. ph p, em a il in fo @ w ic l ea n c ities.o rg, o r c all 4 14- 221- 4 9 5 8 .
Join the ranks with these notable supporters:
Dear Clean Cities Coalition Stakeholders: I write to encourage you to attend the Energy Independence Summit 2013, on April 7-10 in Washington, DC. Organized by Transportation Energy Partners (TEP), the Summit will bring together the nation’s clean transportation leaders to share best practices and educate federal policy makers about the benefits of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program and the need for additional tools and resources to overcome barriers to the widespread use of clean vehicles and fuels. Transportation Energy Partners is an independent, non-profit, national organization that provides policy support for the nation’s ninety-plus local and regional Clean Cities Coalitions. TEP has been organizing Energy Independence Summits in Washington since 2006; these events have played a key role in increasing clean transportation funding, which has greatly benefited Clean Cities Coalitions and our industry partners.
“The summit provided a real insight into policies that need to be advanced in order to reduce our country’s dependence on petroleum-based fuels. Meeting with our local legislators to discuss our goals in the alternative fuel industry will help to boost our local economy and create jobs on Long Island.”
The 2013 Energy Independence Summit is extremely important as we seek to maintain momentum for the clean transportation industry. As Congress Patrick McClave, Stakeholder of the Greater and the Administration focus on reducing the deficit, all federal programs and Long Island Clean Cities Coalition tax incentives are under scrutiny and vulnerable to significant cuts. The Summit will provide an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the broad-based grassroots support among business leaders, state and local government officials, and community leaders for clean transportation energy policies that enhance energy security and create new jobs. The 2013 Summit will feature educational sessions and presentations from the nation’s leading clean transportation experts on: • Federal funding and incentives to promote alternative fuels, vehicles and infrastructure; • Successful alternative fuels and vehicle projects across the country; and • Innovative state and local policies and programs that are advancing markets for cleaner fuels and vehicles. The Summit will also include a day of briefings and meetings on Capitol Hill where Summit participants will spend time talking with Congressional and federal agency officials about the many clean fuel and vehicle projects, and other successes achieved with support of government leaders and industry. The more supporters who join our effort, the greater our ability to make sure policies and funding support local clean transportation programs and projects. For more information or to register, visit http://conferences.stagedrightevents.com/eis2013/. I hope you can join me in DC in April! Sincerely,
Lorrie Lisek, Executive Director Wisconsin Clean Cities March ReFUEL | 4
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Question of the Month “Where can I find information specific to alternative fuel and advanced vehicles in my state?”
The Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) State Information portal, one of the many resource links found on the Wisconsin Clean Cities website, is a great source for state-specific information on alternative fuels and advanced vehicles. Each state page is a “one stop shop” with specific information about incentives and laws, locations of alternative fueling stations, truck stop electrification (TSE) sites, fuel prices, and Clean Cities coalitions.
Additionally, state agency or legislative websites are a great source for information. Specifically, the following may be useful: • • • •
Wisconsin State Energy Office: http://www.energyindependence.wi.gov/ Wisconsin Legislatures Search: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/Pages/waml.aspx Wisconsin Public Service Commission: http://psc.wi.gov/ EPA in Wisconsin: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/states/wi.html
Visit the AFDC State Information Search webpage: http://www.wicleancities.org/resources.php
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Welcome and
new
returning
Members PST Cylinders, LLC Remy Battery Co., Inc. ROUSH CleanTech
Don’t miss the Clean Cities Winter Webinar Series! Click here or visit http://www.wicleancities.org to view the schedule, topics, and regiatration links.
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Join our mission of driving sustainable alternative fuel projects and enduring clean transportation initiatives for future generations. Wisconsin Clean Cities will be attending ACT Expo 2013, and we hope to see you there! Sign up today! Visit: www.actexpo.com Call: (888) 993-0302 Email: info@actexpo.com
Special discount for Clean Cities Members! Call (414) 221-4487 or email info@wicleancities.org to get the code.
Clean Cities PEV Readiness Scorecard •
Evaluate your community’s PEV readiness
•
Receive feedback about strengths and ways to improve
•
Record and track progress toward PEV readiness
Call (414) 221-4487 or email Heather.Goetsch@wicleancities.org to get your community’s readiness score.
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MGE, Speedway Open Madison Area’s First 24/7 Public CNG Fueling Site
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outh-central Wisconsin’s first compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling site is now open to the public at the Speedway convenience store located at 2500 Royal Avenue, Monona, WI. Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) supplies the CNG to the station, which will serve local drivers and also provide fuel for cars and trucks traveling past Madison along Interstates 90/94/39. It is open every day, 24 hours. “This pilot project will serve local businesses with fleets that are interested in using CNG because of its reduced costs and emissions,” said Debbie Branson, MGE’s business development manager. “It is another way we can serve our customers and help our local economy.” CNG vehicles save up to 50% on fuel costs compared to gasolinepowered vehicles and have fewer emissions. With the stability of lower natural gas prices and abundant domestic supplies, CNG can provide a clean, affordable option to gasoline.
John Welch, Dane County Solid Waste and Recycling Manager, fills up one of the county’s Natural Gas Vehicles at the Grand Opening.
“We are excited to provide a new fueling alternative to our fleet customers, and are appreciative of our partnership with Madison Gas and Electric to bring this innovative opportunity to fruition,” said Jim Dwenger, Speedway region manager. There are approximately 25 public CNG stations in Wisconsin. Most are near Milwaukee and La Crosse. Now drivers traveling between Chicago and Milwaukee and the Twin Cities will have a convenient option. Speedway will purchase the CNG from MGE and facilitate the sales transaction with the public. MGE was awarded a grant from the State of Wisconsin and federal Department of Energy to help offset some of the equipment and construction costs. Construction began in the fall of 2012 and was completed in January 2013.
Learn more:
For information on using CNG for fleet vehicles, the Speedway site or CNG in general, visit www.mge.com/cng
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U.S. Oil Acquires CNG Stations to Further Build CNG Network in Wisconsin
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.S. Oil announced that it has acquired six compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations from We Energies. The newly acquired stations bring the total to eight GAIN® Clean Fueling stations located in Wisconsin. Prior to the acquisition, U.S. Oil owned GAIN stations in Menomonie and Marinette. In addition to the acquisition, a ninth GAIN station, currently under construction in Green Bay, will be open for service in April. “We believe CNG is the fuel of the future and U.S. Oil is committed to making it a realistic and successful fuel alternative,” said Mike Koel, Vice President of Business Development for U.S. Oil. “CNG provides a more cost effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fuels and our goal is to create a network of stations that link markets, allowing more trucking companies to utilize CNG.”
John Schmidt, U.S. Venture President and CEO, at the company’s CNG station grand opening in Menomonie
The availability of CNG fueling stations has been a key factor in the number of trucking companies using the alternative fuel. CNG trucks have a limited mileage range per tank of gas. “This places limits on where CNG trucks can be used because they have to remain within a certain distance of a fueling station,” Koel explains. “By linking markets, the service becomes more regionalized, allowing for regional trucking companies to take advantage of this fuel alternative.” All the stations are equipped with the quick fuel design so the time it takes to fill a CNG tank is similar to the time it would take to fill a conventional diesel fuel tank. U.S. Oil also has plans to upgrade the newly acquired facilities to ensure they are kept in top performing condition. In addition to the acquisition, U.S. Oil is seeking to locate additional GAIN™ Clean Fueling stations in Wisconsin and throughout the nation. “Our goal is to create a network of GAIN stations throughout the United States for the trucking industry and individual CNG vehicles owners to utilize,” Koel said.
Find a station near you, learn how to partner to get a fueling station in your area, or discover more about GAIN Clean Fuel at: http://www.gainfuel.com/
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Kwik Trip & Waste Management Inducted into Clean Cities National Clean Fleets Partnership
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wik Trip and Waste Management, members of Wisconsin Clean Cities, joined the ranks of AT&T, Coca-Cola, FedEx, and other select companies as part of the Clean Cities National Clean Fleets Partnership. The honor was announced on March 5, at the Green Truck Summit in Indianapolis, IN. Each year a select number of fleets are chosen to take part in the program. Fleets chosen are provided specialized resources, expertise, and support to incorporate alternative fuels and fuel-saving measures into their operations, as well as gain national recognition for their efforts. The National Clean Fleets Partnership builds on the established success of DOE’s Clean Cities program, which reduces petroleum consumption at the community level through a nationwide network of coalitions that work with local stakeholders. Developed with input from fleet managers, industry representatives, and Clean Cities coordinators, the Partnership goes one step further by working with large private-sector fleets. The Partnership is open to fleets that own or have contractual control over at least 50% of their vehicles and have vehicles operating in multiple states. To join, a fleet must sign an agreement and provide baseline data on its operations and fuel use. It then works one-on-one with a Clean Cities account manager to create a petroleum-use reduction strategy that meets its needs and goals. The fleet and account manager work together to identify Clean Cities coalitions in areas where the fleet operates, connect with appropriate Clean Cities stakeholders, including fuel providers and original equipment manufacturers, and track and report progress. Kwik Trip Inc. has committed to switching its entire fleet of vehicles to natural gas operation as the company continues to deploy natural gas fueling stations throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Since deploying its first natural gas fleet vehicles in June 2012, Kwik Trip has driven them more than 1 million miles and displaced 165,195 gallons of diesel fuel. Kwik Trip plans to open new CNG fueling in the following locations during the spring and summer of 2013: Grand Chute, Wis.; Oshkosh Wis.; Eagan, Minn.; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Verona Wis.; St. Michael, Minn.; Mankato, Minn.; Mauston, Wis.; Baldwin, Wis.; Janesville, Wis.; and Albert Lea, Minn. Waste Management has more than 2,000 heavy-duty natural gas trucks in North American cities today and plans to ultimately convert its entire fleet of 18,000 collection vehicles to natural gas operation. The company has 40 natural gas fueling stations across North America, 15 of which are publicly accessible, and another seven with pre-approved third-party access. Waste Management is planning 13 additional stations for early 2013, with more to follow. By 2020, the company expects its efforts to have saved 350 million gallons of fuel, about 3.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and $1 billion in operational costs.
Learn more about the Clean Cities National Clean Fleets Partnership: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/national_partnership.html March ReFUEL | 10
Clean Cities Celebrates 20 Years!
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ince its launch 20 years ago, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program has followed a simple model: Helping local communities lead the way to a stronger and more prosperous energy future by providing American families and businesses more transportation energy options to help reduce the nation’s reliance on imported oil. In 1993, Clean Cities designated its first coalition in Atlanta and by 1994 had added another five local coalitions from across the country, including Wisconsin Clean Cities. Since then, the network has expanded to include nearly 100 coalitions representing almost 80 percent of the country’s population. These coalitions collaborate with more than 10,000 state and municipal governments, small businesses, community organizations, and others to diversify transportation energy choices and deploy more efficient vehicles that will save consumers money. By leveraging these stakeholders’ combined resources, the Clean Cities coalitions are driving achievements that no single organization or group could accomplish on its own. Nationwide, the Clean Cities program is paying dividends in communities from Atlanta to San Diego to Kansas City. To date, these efforts have helped put more than 700,000 alternative-fuel buses, taxicabs, and other fleet vehicles on the road, as well as help start-up electric vehicle charging stations and alternative-fuel stations, including natural gas, propane autogas, and biofuels. As of 2011, Clean Cities coalitions have saved more than 4.5 billion gasoline-gallon equivalents. These public-private partnerships serve as models of community-scale efforts that have regional impacts. For example, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the Treasure Valley Clean Cities coalition launched an effort to install four new natural gas stations along local highways in Boise, Idaho. At the same time, a local transit agency planned to shut down the area’s commuter bus line due to escalating diesel prices. However, by introducing cost-effective compressed natural gas (CNG) stations in the community, the local Clean Cities coalition was able to help the transit agency continue running the community bus service and eventually purchase eight new natural gas buses.
Learn more:
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/ http://www.wicleancities.org
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Mark Your Calendars!
Join Wisconsin Clean Cities at these great events!
March 28, 2013
April 24, 2013
March 25, 2013
May 2, 2013
Kwik Trip Natural Gas Seminar Holiday Inn Riverwalk 123 E. Wisconsin Ave., Neenah, WI 54956 Register by March 22: 1-855-710-3800 or KTBeyondGreen@kwiktrip.com Webinar: Maintenance Shop Safety When Using Natural Gas 1:00 - 2:30 PM (CST) Space is limited! Reserve your seat today! Register: http://www.wicleancities.org/events.php
Green Vehicles Workshop & Vehicle Showcase 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (workshop) 12:30 - 3:00 PM (showcase) Register: http://gvw2013.eventbrite.com
Kwik Trip Natural Gas Seminar Verona, WI
May 7, 2013
April 7-10, 2013
Wisconsin Clean Transportation Program Partner Showcase 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, WI 53713 RSVP: Emily DeVillers at (414) 221-2509 or Emily.DeVillers@wicleancities.org
April 9, 2013
May 23, 2013
Energy Independence Summit Washington, DC Register: http://conferences.stagedrightevents.com/eis2013 Webinar: Clean Cities Tools 10:00 - 11:30 AM (CST) Space is limited! Reserve your seat today! Register: http://www.wicleancities.org/events.php
April 11, 2013
Kwik Trip Natural Gas Seminar Lake Mills, WI
Kwik Trip Natural Gas Seminar Mauston, WI
June 24-27, 2013
ACT Expo 2013 Washington, DC Register: http://gvw2013.eventbrite.com Special discount for Clean Cities members! Call (414) 221-4487 to get the code.
For more event information, visit our events page at www.wicleancities.org/events.php. For sponsorship opportunities, email info@wicleancities.org or call (414) 221-4958. March ReFUEL | 12
F l eets A cross the U . S . : How Other Fleets Are Using Alternative Fuels And Vehicles
Oregon Leads the Charge for Plug-In Vehicles and Infrastructure
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regon is coordinating many activities and developing processes to facilitate successful, widespread deployment of plug-in vehicles and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) infrastructure. In 2004, Oregon’s strategy for greenhouse gas reduction report showed that motor vehicles accounted for more than one-third of Oregon’s GHG emissions. In 2007, climate change legislation (HB 3543) set GHG emissions targets of 10% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 75% below 1990 levels by 2050. A 2008 climate change report and sustainability conference led to forming the Governor’s Alternative Fuel Vehicle Infrastructure Working Group, which focused on plug-in vehicles for several reasons: • The need for low- or zero-emission vehicles to meet GHG-reduction targets; • Oregon’s annual spending of approximately $8 billion on gasoline and diesel, of which 90% of the non-tax dollars leave the state; • Oregon’s relatively low GHG electricity sources; • Oregon’s renewable portfolio standard (25% of retail electricity from new renewable energy sources by 2025); • Potential economic opportunities related to plug-in vehicles; • Oregon’s population of innovators and early adopters of new technologies. Legislative and planning efforts were translated quickly into action. Work to create a proposal for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds led to partnerships among more than 60 state agencies, local governments, utilities, and private organizations. A Public Utility Commission docket started the investigation into the role of utilities in plug-in vehicle deployment, including smart grid and rate-structure considerations. These efforts led to Oregon’s participation in the EV Project. In September 2010, Executive Order 10-09 (PDF) established the Governor’s Transportation Electrification Executive Council, a central point for coordinating the state’s plug-in vehicle strategy, development, and deployment. EV Project deployment in Oregon will focus on the corridor defined by the cities of Portland, Salem, Corvallis, and Eugene. This area comprises seven utilities, four MPOs, and 70% of the state’s population. EVSE deployment will include up to about 900 home-based stations for plug-in vehicle buyers as well as 1,150 publicly available Level 2 charging stations and 45 fast-charging stations. To assist with deployment, ECOtality developed electric vehicle charging infrastructure deployment guidelines (PDF) for the Oregon I-5 metro areas of Portland, Salem, Corvallis, and Eugene. Oregon has assembled a large, diverse team to coordinate its work on the EV Project.
Learn more:
http://www.theevproject.com/index.php 13 | March ReFUEL
Eye on Wisconsin Clean Cities
Chad Kroening, Boehlke Bottled Gas, Jerry Medinger, American Lung Association in Wisconsin, and Greg Failey, Mitchell International Airport, manning the alternative fuels booth at the Greater Miwlaukee Auto Show.
Wisconsin Clean Cities partnered with the American Lung Association in Wisconsin to educate the public about alternative fuels and related programs at the Greater Milwaukee Auto Show..
The first compressed natural gas (CNG) station in the Madison area Grand Opening was on March 1, 2013. The station is located at 2500 Royal Avenue, Monona, WI.
Steve Kraus, Media Relations Manager, Madison Gas and Electric, talked about the partnership between Speedway and Madison Gas and Electric. Their partnership allowed for the opening of the new station.
Lamers Bus Lines, Inc., located in Green Bay, WI, participates in the Wisconsin Clean Transportation Program (WCTP).
As part of the WCTP, Lamers acquired six Thomas C2 hybrid electric school buses.
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