September 6, 2007

Clean Fuel Advanced Technology Projects Announced

  — Over $300,000 Awarded to Reduce Mobile Emissions

- from the NC Solar Center

Raleigh, N.C. - A total of $300,000 has been awarded by the North Carolina Solar Center at NC State University to reduce mobile emissions through the Clean Fuel & Advanced Technology (CFAT) Project. The funds will be used for ten projects that will reduce transportation related emissions in counties that do not meet national ambient air quality standards. Up to four additional projects, totaling another $350,000, are expected to be announced soon. The CFAT Project is an initiative funded by the N.C. Department of Transportation, State Energy Office, and Division of Air Quality that will directly reduce harmful emissions in addition to providing related educational outreach. This is the second round of awards, and projects include neighborhood electric vehicles, ethanol refueling infrastructure, diesel retrofit technologies, hybrid electric and alternative fuel vehicles.

Three CFAT awards involve the use of neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), which have no tail pipe emissions, can be operated on streets with speed limits of up to 35 miles per hour and are charged through ordinary 110-volt outlets. The Town of Cornelius is purchasing three NEVs which will be used by the Police Department, the Town Manager’s Office, and for park maintenance. The NC Department of Agriculture has also been awarded funds to purchase two NEVs to replace current gasoline-powered pick ups at the State Fairgrounds. These vehicles will be used by various staff and seen by the fairground’s 2.5 million annual visitors. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park will also purchase two NEVs for use in a visitor education program and campground maintenance.

Several CFAT funded projects will expand the use of E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline), a cleaner burning renewable based fuel produced from plant material such as corn. According to the Auto Alliance, there are over 121,000 E85 capable flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) in North Carolina today, which can run on gasoline or E85. Holmes Oil Co. will be using CFAT funds to install an E85 tank and dispenser at a new refueling station planned for the intersection of U.S. 64 Bypass and 15-501in Chatham County. In Cherryville, Thomas Petroleum Co. will convert a gasoline fuel island to E85 at their 1008 E Church St. station. Both companies are committed to providing clean fuel alternatives and educating the public about the benefits of E85. The City of Raleigh will use CFAT funds to purchase a mobile fueling system to supply the city fleet’s 75 FFVs with E85. Another 90 FFVs are expected to be added to Raleigh’s fleet in 2008.

A number of retrofit technologies are available to reduce harmful emissions from existing diesel engines. With CFAT funding assistance, Triangle Transit Authority will outfit 22 buses with diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) and crankcase filtration systems. DOCs are chemical filters that reduce particulate matter by 20% and once installed require no maintenance. The City of Gastonia will be installing DOCs on six of their refuse haulers.

CFAT funds will also go towards the purchase of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. Charlotte Douglas International Airport will be transporting passengers between terminals and parking lots on two hybrid electric buses. With twice the fuel economy of standard buses, these hybrids will reduce fuel consumption an estimated 10,700 gallons per year. The City of Hickory will be adding a Honda Civic GX to their Public Utilities Department fleet. The Civic GX, which runs on compressed natural gas (CNG), is considered the cleanest internal combustion engine on the road today and will refuel at Hickory’s existing CNG pump.

Grant recipients will contribute nearly $500,000 in cost share, providing 60% of total project costs. Awarded projects are expected to be completed within the next 18 months and a third call for projects will be issued in early 2008. “The reduction of transportation-related emissions is key to protecting our air quality and remains a priority for NCDOT," Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett said. "Through these projects, communities across the state are able to fund new and innovative efforts to achieve this goal and contribute to North Carolina’s overall environmental health.”

About the Clean Fuel Advanced Technology Project: A three year, $2 million dollar initiative of the Clean Transportation Program at the NC Solar Center (NCSC) funded by the State Energy Office, Division of Air Quality and federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds administered by NCDOT to provide educational outreach and emission reductions in 24 NC counties that do not meet national ambient air quality standards. The NCSC has partnered with the Triangle Clean Cities and Centralina Clean Fuels Coalitions to conduct outreach in the Triangle and Charlotte Regions.

About the NC Solar Center: a division of the College of Engineering at N.C. State University, operating since 1988 as a clearinghouse for information, demonstration, research, and training related to renewable and advanced technologies.

— tazewell —

Media Contact:
Anne Tazewell, 919-513-7831

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