Western Riverside County Clean Cities Coalition
Spring 2015
Air Resources Board Offers Funding to Public Fleets for Alternative Fuels

Since 2009, the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) has offered incentives to help consumers and fleets afford alternative fuel vehicles (AFV), making zero- and near-zero emission vehicles more accessible. Beginning this year, the California Air Resources Board is offering increased funding to public fleets operating in disadvantaged communities. The Public Fleet Pilot Project is administered by the Sustainable Energy Center (CSE) and offers between $5,250 and $15,000 in rebates for the purchase of battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Funding is available for fleets who plan to purchase, have ordered, or who have already taken delivery of eligible vehicles, but fleets must be primarily operated and domiciled in zip codes that qualify as disadvantaged.

For more information, or to see if your fleet qualifies, visit the Public Fleet Pilot Project website. 
Also in this issue:

 

On March 18, 2015, the California Energy Commission (CEC) released a funding opportunity (PON-14-608) for public entities considering installation or expansion of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling infrastructure. A total of $1.5 million is available through this competitive grant. Up to $500,000 will be awarded to each school district project, and up to $250,000 will be awarded to other public entity projects. Awardees must provide a 25% match, with exception of school districts, who are not required to provide a match.

Funds are made available through the CEC's Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, the aim of which is to help attain State of California climate change policy goals. The solicitation is currently open, and the deadline to apply for funding is June 11, 2015, by 3:00 p.m.

For more information, visit the CEC Solicitations website. 
EYCMiddle School Air Quality Education Program Brings Extraordinary Resources to Students in Western Riverside County 

 

On March 3, 2015, the Coalition kicked of its Air Quality Extraordinaire Program at Arizona Middle School in Riverside. The Program combines classroom -style teaching with hands -on activities to teach middle school students about how they can help improve air quality and live a healthier lifestyle. Students learn about what chemicals make up SMOG, how it is formed, and about solutions to poor air quality, such as energy conservation and alternative fuel vehicles - they even get to make SMOG in a jar.
 
Students are provided with the "Air Quality Extraordinaire" handbook, a comic-book sized guide that they can take home and use every day. The handbook has charts, graphs, checklists, and interactive activities that follow along with the lessons given in class.

The coalition is excited to offer this program to all middle schools in Western Riverside County. for more information, contact Taylor York at (951) 955-8379 or [email protected]. 
anthony2Increasing Active Transportation and Improving Air Quality  

 

In December of 2014, WRCOG was awarded $333,000 to develop an Active Transportation Plan for Western Riverside County. Funding was awarded by Caltrans, through its new Active Transportation Program. The aim of the Plan is to promote increased walking and biking in the region as a way to improve public health and air quality. The Plan will address cycling routes, pedestrian facilities, education, Safe Routes to School, and health impacts, among other factors.

Work on the Plan is set to begin in early summer, and is expected to be complete by the end of 2016. For more information, contact Taylor York at [email protected], or (951) 955-8379. 
edison30Edison Proposes 30,000 New EV Chargers  

 

Electric utility Edison International, which includes Southern California Edison, is proposing a new program, the Charge Ready Program, that aims to install up to 30,000 new electric vehicle chargers in California over the next five years. The first phase of the Program will be a $22 million pilot that will install 1,500 chargers, as well as conduct marketing and education. If the pilot is successful, Edison is expected to invest $333 million over the next five years to reach their 30,000 charger goal. Edison will also conduct research to locate 10% of the new chargers within disadvantaged communities, and will form an advisory board of stakeholders to guide deployment of chargers in these communities.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has expressed its support of the project, and the proposal is currently awaiting approval from the California Public Utilities Commission. For more information, check out the SCE Charge Ready website. 
toolsTools and Tips - Understanding Alternative Fuels

The DOE's AFDC offers many tools and resources for understanding the often-complicated world of alternative fuel vehicles and fuels. From cost calculators to petroleum reduction planing tools, the AFDC is useful for both fleets and consumers. If you are considering switching your fleet to an alternative fuel, want more information about the cost benefits of switching, need to locate a fueling station for your vehicle, or simply don't understand what an alternative fuel is, the AFDC is a great place to start!
evNational Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Trans Atlas

There is a lot of information out there on the location of AFV fueling stations, but NREL's Trans Atlas tool allows users to analyze alternative fuel vehicle densities, as well as locations of fueling stations and alternative fuel production facilities. Check it out!
toolsNew Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Beginning in Fall, 2015, Ram Trucks will offer a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel option in a regular-cab, two-door, two-wheel drive platform. The company currently offers CNG as an option, but only in a four-door, long-bed, four-wheel drive platform. The new platform will provide more options for fleets looking to purchase less expensive vehicles, and the company expects the new offering to increase sales to these fleets.
fundFunding Opportunities and Regulation Information
Legislation Tracking:   The Coalition tracks legislation relevant to the WRCOG 2015/2016 Legislative Platform in that WRCOG "Supports Legislation that Encourages the Production and Use of Clean Alternative Energy Sources." Additionally, the goals of various bills align with the Coalition's objectives for supporting local actions to reduce petroleum consumption in transportation and expand the use of alternative fuels. For more information and to view current environmental quality legislation visit the League of California Cities website.

 

South Coast Air Quality Management District:  The Coalition tracks funding opportunities offered by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD). These opportunities align with the Coalition's objectives of supporting local actions to help businesses and public agencies reduce petroleum consumption in transportation, expand the use of alternative fuels (AF) and AF infrastructure, and clean up their heavy-duty diesel engines beyond the requirements of air pollution regulations. For more information and to view current funding opportunities visit the AQMD website.

 

California Air Resource Board:  The Coalition tracks updates on grant and incentive Programs offered by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) which is dedicated to achieving emission reductions by administering a number of programs that fund projects to reduce emissions from qualifying on-road heavy-duty diesel and light-duty vehicles. The funds can be used to replace existing vehicles, retrofit vehicles with emission control devices, or be used towards the purchase of new vehicles. Project funds are available throughout the year for various types of diesel and alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles. To choose from the eligible project types visit the CARB website .