Click the events for more info!
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EPA Clean School Bus Program: $500 Million for clean school buses! |
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The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 authorizes EPA to offer rebates to replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emission (ZE) models. The 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates process includes SAM.gov account registration, application submission, review and selection by EPA, purchase order submission and request for payment, payment receipt, new bus delivery and old bus replacement, and close out. The program guidance and application process differ from prior EPA school bus rebate programs in many ways, so please review the summary of program requirements below and the detailed Program Guide before proceeding.
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Clean Energy Fuels begins selling renewable natural gas at Virginia stations |
This summer Clean Energy Fuels began selling renewable natural gas (RNG) at their three fueling stations in Virginia! These three stations bring RNG to the Northern Virginia, Richmond and Tidewater regions.
RNG is a byproduct waste and can be sourced from landfills, livestock operations and wastewater treatment plants. When not used to create RNG, these biogases are often harmfully flared or off-gassed releasing methane, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases directly into the atmosphere. By capturing these gases, RNG as an energy source makes for a win-win situation for organizations seeking to meet their sustainability goals. When combined with certain engine technology, RNG can allow fleets to achieve near-zero or even carbon-negative environmental goals.
Clean Energy is also a VCC stakeholder. In August 2021, the Clean Energy team joined VCC to speak about Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). The session highlighted the benefits of RNG, including its 98% domestic production and negative carbon intensity. To learn more about Clean Energy and its work with RNG, you can view the recording here or on our YouTube channel.
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Join us on August 18th at 4 p.m. EST for our Technology Happy Hour featuring several leading companies on state contract in Virginia for EV charging equipment. Companies will include Autoflex, Bethel Electric, NOVA Charge and OpConnect.
If you're part of a public college, state agency or local government, you don't want to miss hearing about these companies' wide array of offerings. From affordable Level 2 options to DC Fast Charging stations, you'll hear from the company representatives and have the chance to ask questions.
Email VCC Program Coordinator, Sarah Stalcup-Jones, for more information about being a featured stakeholder.
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U.S. Department of Energy announces $96 million in funding opportunities |
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a $96 million funding opportunity to support decarbonizing the domestic transportation sector. The funding will focus on expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging accessibility, create cleaner non-road vehicles through electrification and the use of alternative fuels, and developing electric drive components and materials to maximize EV efficiency and affordability.
Non-road vehicles, including agricultural and construction equipment, rail, marine and aviation, are a major source of pollution, emitting more carbon pollution than any other sector of the U.S. economy. Lowering vehicle emissions will support President Biden’s goal to achieve net-zero economy by 2050.
Further, in accordance with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, applicants for this funding must show how proposed projects will benefit traditionally disadvantaged communities that lack access to clean energy sources.
If you are interested in securing funding or have project ideas, please contact Alleyn Harned, VCC's Executive Director at aharned@vacleancities.org or call 804-539-9425. You may also set up a meeting with Alleyn's Calendly.
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"Drive Less. Pay Less." Virginia's Mileage Choice Program |
Virginia’s Mileage Choice Program is a voluntary option for drivers of eligible vehicles to pay their highway use fee on a per-mile basis in lieu of an annual highway use fee at the time of registration renewal. You only pay for the miles you drive, so if you drive less, you pay less. If you end up driving a little more, you never pay more than your annual highway use fee.
Who is eligible?
Drivers of fuel-efficient and electric vehicles pay a highway use fee (HUF) each year at the time of registration or registration renewal to ensure a more fair contribution to maintaining Virginia roads. If you’re paying a HUF for one or more registered vehicles, and your vehicle is up for registration renewal, you qualify to participate in the Mileage Choice Program.
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Save the Date!
2nd Drive Electric Virginia Forum
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Save the date! November 17th, starting at 3:00 pm! Join us again for a conversation with key stakeholders working to advance electric vehicles in Virginia. |
Virginia Clean Cities hosted the Inaugural Drive Electric Virginia Forum in 2021 with an amazing lineup of speakers covering a wide range of topics on the current state of electric vehicles (EVs) in Virginia plus efforts underway to make EV adoption and charging accessible and equitable.
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EV infrastructure project continues, chargers available |
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The three-year Mid-Atlantic Electrification Partnership continues with great success in Virginia, Maryland, DC, and West Virginia. The first year has seen dozens of EV charging stations deployed, 25 EVs delivered for a new rideshare service, new mapping analysis tools developed and numerous educational events held online and in person.
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JMU issues rideable contracts for EV chargers |
In a pioneering effort for the Commonwealth, James Madison University has issued contracts for electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE). Five state contracts are now live on JMU’s contract management system. These contracts allow other public universities, state agencies, and local governments to purchase EVSE through the rideable (or cooperative) contracts.
The five contracts with pricing and technical specifications can be viewed online here. Both Level 2 charging and direct current fast charging (DCFC) options are available in the contracts. Several of the vendors on contract are either small businesses or minority-owned. The vendor contracts can be viewed below.
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The latest in Mid-Atlantic biofuel sales and pricing |
In 2015, Virginia and Maryland acquired funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Biofuel Infrastructure Program in order to establish a Mid-Atlantic Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) with the goal of installing biofuel fuel pumps at 40 fueling stations. Through the administration of the Virginia Department of Energy, and assistance from Virginia Clean Cities, the Mid-Atlantic Partnership was able to garner support from experienced retail businesses, like Protec Fuels and Sheetz, Inc., and state agriculture departments, energy offices, and grain associations.
With these partnerships, the project worked to strategically place ethanol fueling sites where forecasted market growth, access, and increased use were likely. During the duration of the project, there were 40 different stations located across Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia that were installed with biofuel pumps, many of which were fitted with a larger number of biofuel fueling pumps than originally figured.
After the completion of the project, biofuel station installations continued, amounting to a total of 56 stations in 2022 between the two states.
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New and Returning Members! |
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Returning Gold Level Member! |
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Returning Coalition Level
Member!
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Interested in becoming a Virginia Clean Cities Member? Check out our membership page here or contact us with any questions!
Already a VCC member? Send us an email with any late breaking news or announcements that you want featured in next months newsletter!
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