Portland METRO to add
5 More CNG Buses
Greater Portland Transit District (METRO) is adding five more CNG buses to its existing fleet of 13.
The 35-foot, low-floor buses will be manufactured by Gillig. Assembly will begin in March, 2014 with scheduled delivery in late fall.
These buses will be purchased through a Minnesota Cooperative Purchasing Venture and will replace some of METRO's older 1996/97 diesel buses.
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LNG Fuels Conference 2013
January 21-23, Houston
The world LNG Fuels Conference and exhibit hall will showcase market trends and opportunities, as well as the economic and environmental benefits of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel use in trucking and other applications.
Greater than ever before, LNG has the opportunity to win heavy-duty transportation markets as fleets of trucks, ships, locomotives and power units search for low-cost, clean and secure fuel. Barriers to entry are falling one after another as innovations are made in engine technologies and infrastructure and as Fortune 500 companies make commitments to the fuel. LNG is now recognized as an expedient solution for trade imbalances, jobs, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
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Cummins Westport
Natural Gas Engine Availability Update
Cummins Westport ISX12 G natural gas engines, in limited supplies, will be made available to Autocar, Freightliner, Kenworth, Peterbilt and Volvo in 2013.
The 350-horsepower version of the dedicated-natural gas ISX12 G engine will be available in April and the 385- and 400-horsepower versions of the new 11.9-liter engine will be available in July. Full-scale production of all variants is to commence in August.
The larger ISX12G is seen as the enabler for large trucks to haul heavy loads solely on compressed natural gas or liquified natural gas. The ISX12 G will be manufactured at the Cummins plant in Jamestown, NY. A spark-ignition, 6.7-liter ISB6.7 G is in development for 2015.
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EcoDual - Clean Vehicle Solutions Open House
January 31st, 2013
West Nyack, NY
EcoDual and Clean Energy Solutions have teamed up to offer an open house on dual-fuel technology for CNG converted Class 8 trucks.
Come check out the technology first-hand, see the system, learn about its performance and see how you can convert your fleet!
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Save The Date!
AltWheels Fleet Day
October 7, 2013
Norwood, MA
Sponsorship information will be available soon. Please
contact Meg with questions at (508) 698-6810 x10 or
click here to email.
www.altwheels.org
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Steve Linnell Coordinator, Maine Clean Communities |
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Calling All Maine Fleets!
Help Us Track Annual Petroleum Reduction
in Maine!
Please take a few minutes to let us know about your petroleum reduction measures such as adding alternative fuel vehicles and fuels to your fleet or if you have adopted anti-idling measures.
Click here to take the survey!
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Federal Alternative Fuel Tax Credits Reinstated through 2013!
The New Year's Day "Fiscal Cliff" tax deal in Congress reinstated federal alternative fuel tax incentives and credits through December of 2013, and retroactively to January of 2012. (See below.) It also extends tax credits for plug-in hybrid and Electric Vehicles (EVs) up to $7,500.
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Maine Standard Biofuels Delivery Truck
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In Portland, this legislation is great news for Maine Standard Biofuels. The retroactive tax credit of $1.00 per gallon for producers means Maine Standard Biofuels can buy a new delivery truck and hire more employees. Click here to read the recent Portland Press Herald front page story.
Tax Credits and Incentives
Alternative Fuel Excise Tax Credit
This tax incentive is available for alternative fuel that is sold for use or used as a fuel to operate a motor vehicle. A tax credit in the amount of $0.50 per gallon is available for the following alternative fuels: compressed natural gas (based on 121 cubic feet), liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (propane), P-Series fuel, liquid fuel derived from coal through the Fischer-Tropsch process, compressed or liquefied gas derived from biomass and hydrogen. The credit goes to the owner of the infrastructure who may pass along some or all of the savings to other customers. Among the Maine beneficiaries are METRO, Island Explorer and SAD #6 who both run propane buses.
Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax CreditFueling equipment for natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (propane), electricity, E85, hydrogen, or diesel fuel blends containing a minimum of 20% biodiesel is eligible for a tax credit of 30% of the cost, not to exceed $30,000. Fueling station owners who install qualified equipment at multiple sites are allowed to use the credit towards each location. Consumers who purchased qualified residential fueling equipment prior to December 31, 2013, may receive a tax credit of up to $1,000.
Biodiesel Mixture Excise Tax Credit
A biodiesel blender that is registered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may be eligible for a tax incentive in the amount of $1.00 per gallon of pure biodiesel, agri-biodiesel, or renewable diesel blended with petroleum diesel to produce a mixture containing at least 0.1% diesel fuel.
For more detailed information and other tax incentives, click here.
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ACT EXPO 2013
June 24-27, Washington, DC
Discounts are available to Maine Clean Communities' Stakeholders (Click here to contact us.)
- End-user case studies from leading fleets
- Fueling supply and infrastructure solutions
- Alternative fuel training and technical tours
- Funding programs and regulatory policy updates
- Financial modeling to achieve positive ROI
- Residual value and secondary markets
- AFV maintenance shop requirements and personnel training
- Emission reduction strategies and technologies
By the end of the conference, attendees will have the tools, resources, and industry contacts needed to evaluate, implement, and continue to grow their own alternative fuel initiatives.
ACT Expo also provides direct access to the latest OEM and technology products on the market. All alternative fuel types are represented at this show providing a one-stop shop for fleet managers to learn about the wide-range of solutions available.
Gain valuable, hands-on experience from:
- A packed Expo Hall brimming with interactive technology and equipment displays.
- A "Ride & Drive" event with 30+ advanced technology vehicles representing all fuels and weight classes
- Pre-conference training sessions and off-site technical tours
Click here for more information about registration and exhibitor opportunities.
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Alternative Fuel Publication
Available On-Line!
Fuels Fix is a national Clean Cities' Coordinator E-Magazine featuring alternative fuel news from Coalitions like Maine Clean Communities. Click here to read about the great progress being made across the country!
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