Clean Transportation Initiatives

With funding from the State Energy Office the North Carolina Solar Center’s Clean Transportation Program will assist in achieving North Carolina State Energy Plan goals by providing assistance with the coordination and implementation of statewide alternative fuel and advanced transportation efforts.  These efforts will include an education, outreach and alternative fuel coordination component and support to implement the State Fleet Petroleum Displacement Provision and the Energy Policy Act Credit Program. 

Education, Outreach and Alt. Fuel Coordination

The Clean Transportation program will serve as a clearinghouse for alternative fuel and advanced transportation technology information by creating and maintaining related fact sheets, giving presentations to government, business and civic organizations, providing media interviews and drafting press releases about alternative fuel accomplishments and activities.

The Clean Transportation program will continue to provide transportation policy leadership and guidance to the Triangle Clean Cities Coalition and the NC Biomass Council. The NC Solar Center will remain an active partner in the Southeast Alternative Fuels Training Consortium and organize bimonthly NC Alternative Fuel Group calls (on the months the SEAFTC does not meet) to provide a venue for information exchange among public and private stakeholders across North Carolina that are interested in alternative fuel and related transportation issues. A subcommittee of the Alternative Fuels Group will also develop a statewide action plan to facilitate more widespread use of alternative fuel. Projects could include a designation of a Carolina Clean Cities Coalition, a public service media campaign about alternative fuels to raise awareness, development of roadside signage for alternative fuel stations and a service station owner/fleet manger biofuels marketing kit.

State Fleet Petroleum Displacement Provision

The objective of the petroleum displacement provision (PDP) is to displace 20% of the petroleum used by state vehicles in fiscal year 2004-05 by January 1, 2010, through the use of alternative fuels, efficient vehicles and other policies and practices that conserve fuel. This is a legislative directive that requires an annual Petroleum Displacement Plan that is due to the Joint Legislative Commission on Government Operation on November 1st of every year. The Clean Transportation Program will assist affected agencies (departments, divisions, public universities and community colleges that operate a fleet of 10 vehicles or more) to meet or exceed the provision by undertaking tasks such as:

• Coordinating efforts between affected entities, the Divisions of Motor Fleet Management and Purchasing and Contracting, potential state contract bidders and/or current contract holders to facilitate contracts that expand the purchase options for alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles,
• Educate state fleet vehicle operators about alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle options,  debunking myths about effectiveness, and facilitating options and access to vehicle refueling, and
• Provide assistance and analysis on best practices/procedures to implement more widespread use of E85 by state vehicles.  This effort will include building relationships with private sector retail site operators, addressing accounting practices for alternative fuel purchases with fleet card companies and developing E85 refueling infrastructure packages and guidelines.

Energy Policy Act Credit Program

The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) Credit Banking and Selling Program enables the SEO, in cooperation with other state agencies, to establish an Alternative Fuel Revolving Fund through which revenue generated from the sale of Federal EPAct credits is distributed among state departments, institutions and agencies for the increased use of alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles. Rules for this program have been drafted.  With advance permission from the SEO, the NCSC will provide assistance to the State Energy Office with selling excess credits, and tracking generated credits. Upon approval from the Energy Policy Council (EPC), the funds generated will be allocated among state agencies for the increased use of alternative fuel, related refueling infrastructure and alternative fuel vehicle purchases.

Understanding North Carolina's EPAct Requirements

North Carolina EPAct Guidelines: Approved 4/07, Effective 5/1/07

North Carolina 2007-08 Annual EPAct Plan: Approved by EPC 5/14/07

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