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Station Openings and Events Galore!

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Last week was a big week for Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities. It started off with the long-awaited grand opening of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station in Jackson, WY.  Energy Conservation Works, one of our Jackson non-profit partners did a great job getting the station installed and planning an awesome opening! Below some of the speakers, including Alicia Cox, Phil Cameron, and Governor Matt Mead speak about the importance of CNG in Wyoming.

Governor Matt Mead

Phil Cameron, Executive Director of Energy Conservation Works

Alicia Cox, Executive Director of Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities

On Wednesday, Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities staff traveled to Montana where we had ribbon cuttings for three stations funded through our EVSE rebate program.  Two stations were installed in downtown Big Sky, literally putting it on the map for EV charging.

Partial funders YTCC and MT DEQ cut the ribbon on the two new ChargePoint stations in Big Sky. A big thanks to Lone Mountain Land Company and Simkins Family for having the foresight to prioritize projects like these.

Wednesday afternoon, we drove up to Bozeman for the global reveal of Kerb Space’s new charging system and a National Drive Electric Week event. Speakers Alicia Cox, Natalie Meyer, and Mayor Carson Taylor spoke about the importance of EVs in cleaning up our transportation footprint. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle did a write up about the new Kerb EVSE. Read it here.

Attendees bravely eat ice cream in the rain behind the Chevy Bolt on display.

The week finished off with a Drive Electric Week Event in Riverton, WY at one of the stations installed by Wild West EV.

Station openings like these will just keep happening in this region, and we are getting much closer to the goal of having regional infrastructure networks for both CNG and EVSE! Keep following our efforts to see what happens next.

WY DEQ Seeks Public Input On How To Spend $8 million in VW Settlement Funds

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Please consider submitting a comment to WY DEQ through their comment link below. Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities agrees with WY DEQ’s goals and objectives but recommends including alternative fuels, particularly compressed natural gas and electric. Please reach out to YTCC if you would like to discuss project or goal and objectives ideas prior to your comment submission. If you would simply like to fill out a form, please find our Project Form below 

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Wyoming will focus on the following project types:

  • Class 8 local freight trucks.
  • Class 4 – 8 School buses, shuttle buses, or transit buses.
  • Pre-tier 4 diesel switcher locomotives.
  • Class 4 – 7 local freight trucks.
  • Airport Ground Support Equipment.

The State Of Wyoming has developed the following program goals and objectives to form the basis and selection criteria for the mitigation plan.

  • Reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
  • Achieving higher cost-effectiveness (more emissions reduced per amount spent).
  • Impact on non-attainment areas.
  • Affecting areas of greater population density.
  • Affecting sensitive populations (such as children and the elderly).

The Department is reaching out to the public as it plans how best to utilize the approximately $8 million dollars gained from the settlement.

For more information related to this settlement CLICK HERE to visit the EPA’s website dedicated to this topic.

Members of the public with thoughts or suggestions on the Mitigation Trust funds should utilize the submit comments link below.

Public comments will be accepted for 30 days and will end on May 24, 2017.

Click Here to submit comments

Question of the Month: State and Local Incentives

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Question of the Month: What are state and local governments doing to incentivize alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs)?

 

Answer:

There are many notable incentive activities at the state and local levels. Many states offer incentives for alternative fuels that advance specific environmental and energy security goals, while cities provide even more localized support.

States are targeting vehicles, infrastructure, and other means to encourage AFV adoption. Below are various types of incentives, as well as hyperlinked examples of each:

AFV Purchase Incentives: States offer grants, rebates, and tax credits for the purchase of AFVs. While some states may focus vehicle incentives on a particular fuel type, such as electric vehicles, others are more general in their support. States provide AFV purchase incentives to consumers, commercial fleets, and public fleets, such as schools and government agencies. Different incentive mechanisms tend to be more appropriate for different categories of vehicle purchasers; for example, grants are often limited to certain types of entities. Public fleets may not be liable for taxes, so they usually benefit more from grants than from tax credits. Private fleets can benefit from grants, rebates, and tax credits.

Fueling Infrastructure Purchase and Installation Incentives: Similar to AFV incentives, states provide grants, rebates, and tax credits for alternative fueling infrastructure. States usually create incentives for the physical fueling infrastructure, but many programs also support installation costs. Some states also offer a tax credit or tax reduction for the production or purchase of alternative fuel itself. Fueling infrastructure incentives may stipulate that the fueling or charging station must be available to the public, which helps to increase the availability of alternative fuels to a broader range of entities.

Other Incentives: In addition to financial support for the purchase of AFVs, states may give special benefits to AFV drivers. For example, some states allow high-occupancy vehicle lane access to AFVs, while others provide reduced registration fees, weight restriction exemptions, and emissions inspections exemptions.

Municipalities are also playing a role in supporting AFV deployment. Cities and counties incentivize AFVs in a number of ways, including by offering free or discounted parking, expediting permitting processes, and providing vehicle and infrastructure grants. For example, New Haven, CT, provides free parking on city streets for AFVs, while Los Angeles, CA, offers instant, online residential electric vehicle supply equipment permitting approval. The Alternative Fuels Data Center’s (AFDC) Local Laws and Incentives page provides more information on these and a greater array of other local options; while the page regarding local laws and incentives is not meant to be comprehensive, it provides users an idea of the different municipal programs and policies that exist (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/laws/local_examples). If you are aware of an innovative way that municipalities are supporting alternative fuels and vehicle acquisition, please contact the Clean Cities Technical Response Service at technicalresponse@icf.com to share the details.

 

For more information about state and local alternative fuel incentives, see the AFDC Laws and Incentives page (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/laws). 

 

Clean Cities Technical Response Service Team

technicalresponse@icf.com

800-254-6735

Brett Dennen highlighting YTCC

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Last Friday afternoon we got a little treat when Alicia and I headed out to Teton Village to hop on a START Bus and get a free concert from Brett Dennen. Brett is on a tour through ski towns in the west, and at each stop he is choosing an environmental non-profit to highlight. During his stop in Jackson, he highlighted us by playing a concert on the START Bus and talking about the benefits of reduced fuel use and protecting the beautiful place we live in!

To see a video and some photos of the concert, check out Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s blog on the day: http://www.jacksonhole.com/blog/brett-dennen/

Thanks to all the partners who helped make last Friday possible: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Clif Bar Green Notes, EFFECT Partners, Yellowstone Teton Clean Cities, Friends of Pathways, START Bus, Pink Garter Theatre, Teton Village Association, KGB Productions and the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board.

It’s Tax Time! Understanding Alternative Fuel and Infrastructure Tax Credits

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A photo of tax forms, a pen, and a calculator.

Recent federal tax incentive extensions and changes impact alternative fuel and infrastructure tax credits.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 (H.R. 2029) retroactively extended several tax credits, including theAlternative Fuel Excise Tax Credit and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit. It also included updates to the calculation method for Alternative Fuel Excise Tax Credit amounts, specifically for propane and liquefied natural gas(LNG). Below we discuss three frequently asked questions about these credits.

How have the Alternative Fuel Excise Tax Credit amounts changed for propane and LNG in 2016 and beyond?

The Alternative Fuel Excise Tax Credit applies to alternative fuel sold or used to operate a motor vehicle. Previously, the excise tax credit amount for propane and LNG was based on a volumetric basis ($0.50 per gallon). For fuel sold or used starting January 1, 2016, however, the excise tax credit amount for propane and LNG is based on an energy equivalent basis. This means the credit for propane is now measured per gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) and LNG is measured per diesel gallon equivalent (DGE). Specifically, the updated Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 8849, Schedule 3 defines 2016 tax credit rates for propane and LNG as follows:

  • Propane: One GGE is equal to 5.75 pounds (lbs.) or 1.353 gallons of propane.
  • LNG: One DGE is equal to 6.06 lbs. or 1.71 gallons of LNG.

What does this mean for propane and natural gas retailers and fleets? In short, the tax credit for the same amount of fuel is now less:

  • The propane tax credit was previously $0.50 per gallon and is now $0.50 per GGE (1.353 gallons of propane), which equates to $0.37 per gallon.
  • The LNG tax credit was previously $0.50 per gallon and is now $0.50 per DGE (1.71 gallons of LNG), which equates to$0.29 per gallon.

The tax credit amount for compressed natural gas (CNG) is still based on the GGE, where one GGE is equal to 121 cubic feet.

Natural Gas Vehicles for America (NGVAmerica) provides additional information on federal tax incentives for LNG and CNG, and highlights the impacts of the recent tax credit changes in the article, New Year Rings in Changes for CNG and LNG in 2016. The National Propane Gas Association explains the excise tax equalization for propane.

So, you said the Alternative Fuel Excise Tax Credit was retroactively extended. Does that mean I can claim it for fuels sold or used in 2015?

Yes! Both the federal Alternative Fuel Excise Tax Credit and Biodiesel Mixture Excise Tax Credit were extended to cover 2015, meaning that propane, CNG, LNG, hydrogen, and biodiesel sold or used in 2015 are eligible for the federal tax credit. To file for the tax credit, registered claimants must submit a single one-time 2015 claim with IRS Form 8849, as well as the accompanying Schedule 3. The deadline to submit a claim for fuels sold or used in 2015 is August 8, 2016.

Please note that the tax credit amount for propane and LNG sold or used in 2015 is based on the previous, volumetric rate of $0.50 per gallon.

For additional information on claiming the tax credit for fuels sold or used in 2015, please see IRS Notice 2016-05.

Are tax-exempt entities eligible for the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit?

While a tax-exempt entity, such as a school or state government fleet, may not be eligible to claim the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit directly, the entity selling the fueling infrastructure to the tax-exempt entity can claim the credit and pass the “discount” along to the fleet. According to Title 26 of the United States Code, Section 30C(e)(3), the entity selling the fueling equipment to the tax-exempt entity can be treated as the taxpayer and claim the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit, but only if the seller discloses the amount of the credit allowable to the tax-exempt purchaser in writing. In practice, this means the tax-exempt fleet would have the opportunity to use this information to request a discount. However, the infrastructure seller is not required to pass along any savings associated with the tax credit.

For more information on how tax-exempt entities may be eligible for the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit, please see the IRS Instructions for Form 8911.

Please note that the Technical Response Service recommends consulting a qualified tax professional or the IRS before making any tax-related decisions.

What’s New in the Transportation Bill?

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On Friday, December 4th, President Obama signed the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, or FAST Act (Public Law 114-94). Like prior surface transportation legislation, the FAST Act authorizes funds for highway construction, as well as highway safety and public transportation programs.

There are several FAST Act provisions with implications for Clean Cities portfolio items:

  • National Electric Vehicle Charging and Alternative Fuel Station Corridors. Section 1413 of the bill charges the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) with designating national plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging and hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling corridors in strategic locations along major highways by December 2016. DOT will update and re-designate the corridors every five years.
  • PEV Charging on Federal Property. Section 1413 also explicitly authorizes the U.S. General Services Administration or other federal agencies to install electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) that may be used by federal employees and certain others to charge their privately-owned vehicles. Those who use the EVSE to charge vehicles must pay to reimburse the agencies for the EVSE procurement, installation, and maintenance.
  • State High Occupancy Lane (HOV) Exemptions. Section 1411 extends the provisions related to HOV lane exemptions for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-certified low-emission and energy-efficient vehicles. Only alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and PEVs, however, may access HOV lanes toll-free through September 30, 2025. States are allowed to implement toll-access HOV programs for other low-emission and energy-efficient vehicles through September 30, 2019.
  • Tire Fuel Efficiency Standards. Section 24331 states that DOT, EPA, and the U.S. Department of Energy will develop regulations for passenger car tire fuel efficiency standards by December 2017. Some exemptions apply, including light truck, snow, and spare tires.
  • Natural Gas Vehicle Fuel Economy Calculation.Section 24341 moves up to 2017, from 2020, when natural gas vehicle fuel economy calculation methodology (see 40 Code of Federal Regulations 600.510) will change. Model year 2017 and later vehicles will use the new calculation methodology to better align with the conventional vehicle fuel economy methodology update schedule.

The changes outlined above are effective immediately. To view the full text of the FAST Act, visit https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr22/BILLS-114hr22enr.pdf.

As an additional federal legislation update, Congress is expected to vote on the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act very soon. The PATH Act, now House Amendment #2 to H.R. 2029, could extend AFV refueling property tax credits, cellulosic biofuels production tax credits, and biodiesel and renewable diesel incentives.  Stay tuned for more information!

 

What’s New in the Transportation Bill?

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On Friday, December 4th, President Obama signed the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, or FAST Act (Public Law 114-94). Like prior surface transportation legislation, the FAST Act authorizes funds for highway construction, as well as highway safety and public transportation programs.

There are several FAST Act provisions with implications for Clean Cities portfolio items:

  • National Electric Vehicle Charging and Alternative Fuel Station Corridors. Section 1413 of the bill charges the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) with designating national plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging and hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling corridors in strategic locations along major highways by December 2016. DOT will update and re-designate the corridors every five years.
  • PEV Charging on Federal Property. Section 1413 also explicitly authorizes the U.S. General Services Administration or other federal agencies to install electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) that may be used by federal employees and certain others to charge their privately-owned vehicles. Those who use the EVSE to charge vehicles must pay to reimburse the agencies for the EVSE procurement, installation, and maintenance.
  • State High Occupancy Lane (HOV) Exemptions. Section 1411 extends the provisions related to HOV lane exemptions for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-certified low-emission and energy-efficient vehicles. Only alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and PEVs, however, may access HOV lanes toll-free through September 30, 2025. States are allowed to implement toll-access HOV programs for other low-emission and energy-efficient vehicles through September 30, 2019.
  • Tire Fuel Efficiency Standards. Section 24331 states that DOT, EPA, and the U.S. Department of Energy will develop regulations for passenger car tire fuel efficiency standards by December 2017. Some exemptions apply, including light truck, snow, and spare tires.
  • Natural Gas Vehicle Fuel Economy Calculation.Section 24341 moves up to 2017, from 2020, when natural gas vehicle fuel economy calculation methodology (see 40 Code of Federal Regulations 600.510) will change. Model year 2017 and later vehicles will use the new calculation methodology to better align with the conventional vehicle fuel economy methodology update schedule.

The changes outlined above are effective immediately. To view the full text of the FAST Act, visit https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr22/BILLS-114hr22enr.pdf.

As an additional federal legislation update, Congress is expected to vote on the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act very soon. The PATH Act, now House Amendment #2 to H.R. 2029, could extend AFV refueling property tax credits, cellulosic biofuels production tax credits, and biodiesel and renewable diesel incentives.  Stay tuned for more information!

 

Winter Fuel Economy Tips

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Six Tips to Cut Fuel Costs and Unnecessary Idling When Winter Hits

Photo of vehicles on the highway in a snowstorm.

How can I improve my gas mileage while driving this winter?

Whether taking that long-awaited ski trip or just commuting to work in the frigid weather, there are several things you can do to improve your fuel economy and save money in the wintertime.

Why You Get Worse Gas Mileage When It’s Cold

Cold weather and winter driving conditions can reduce your fuel economy significantly. On particularly chilly days, when temperatures drop to 20°F or lower, you can expect to see up to a 12% hit on your fuel economy for short city trips. During very quick trips—traveling only three to four miles—your fuel economy could dip even lower (as much as 22%)! This reduction in fuel economy is due to several factors. First of all, cold temperatures increase the time it takes your vehicle to warm the cabin, engine, drive-line fluids, and other components up to fuel-efficient operating temperatures. Cold fluids increase the friction on your engine and transmission, which can reduce fuel economy.

Let’s take a moment to address one of the main myths about driving in cold weather:

  • Myth: To warm up your engine and vehicle cabin in the wintertime, you should let the engine run for several minutes before driving.
  • Truth: Most manufacturers recommend driving off gently after about 30 seconds of idling. In fact, the engine will warm up faster when driving. Idling can use a quarter to half a gallon of fuel per hour, and even more fuel if the engine is cold or accessories like seat heaters are on.

Also keep in mind that winter gasoline blends in cold climates have slightly less energy per gallon than summer blends. This is because refineries alter the chemical makeup of gasoline to allow it to evaporate more easily in low temperatures, ensuring proper engine operation.

Aerodynamic drag is another consideration. In simple terms, cold air is denser than warm air, so when temperatures drop, wind resistance increases slightly. This requires a little more power from your engine to drive at a given speed. The effects of aerodynamic drag on fuel economy are most significant at highway speeds.

Winter Fuel-Saving Tips

The following tips can help you warm your car (and fingers!) more efficiently and improve your fuel economy in the winter:

  • Park in a warmer place like a garage that traps heat to keep the initial temperature of your engine and cabin higher than it would be outside in the elements.
  • Avoid idling to warm up the engine and cabin. See more information above.
  • Avoid using seat warmers more than necessary, as they require additional power.
  • Plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) owners: Pre-heat your vehicle while still plugged in. Since PEVs use battery power to provide heat to the cabin, cabin and seat heaters can drain the vehicle’s battery and reduce the overall range. If you need to warm up quickly, warm the vehicle while it’s still charging.
  • PEV owners: Use seat heaters instead of the cabin heater when able. Using seat heaters instead of the cabin heater can save energy. Seat heaters use less energy than cabin heaters and can often be more efficient at warming you up quickly in the winter.
  • Read the owner’s manual for detailed information on how your vehicle’s cabin and seat heaters work and how to use them efficiently.

Do you live in a place where snow and ice isn’t an issue? Check out the May Question of the Month blog for year-round warm weather driving tips.

More Information

For more information on how to improve your fuel economy, please refer to the following FuelEconomy.gov tips:

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Workplace Charging Challenge

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Workplace Charging Challenge!

In January 2013, the Department of Energy launched the Workplace Charging Challenge as part of its EV Everywhere Grand Challenge. Electric Vehicles (EVs) represent a great opportunity to vastly reduce petroleum usage in the transportation sector, and the DOE has set a goal for the US to be the first country to produce EVs that are as affordable as standard gas-powered vehicles by 2022. As one measure to meet that goal, they’ve started the Workplace Charging Challenge, an initiative aimed at employers to provide electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) – charging stations – at their businesses for employee use.

One of the biggest barriers to entry of the market for EVs is the relative scarcity of stations where drivers can recharge their battery, resulting in range anxiety – the idea that you may not have enough battery charge to make it to work, the store, school, etc., and home again. As such, the charging infrastructure needs to be in place for EVs to be adopted on a larger scale. But charging your car’s battery is not exactly like filling up the tank. Depending on the level of charge and the battery, charging stations take from two to twenty hours to recharge a car’s battery. This makes overnight at-home charging ideal, but in order to double someone’s potential all-electric commuting range, or simply give them the flexibility to run some errands on the way home from work, workplace charging stations are a key piece of the infrastructure needed. The typical car spends anywhere from six to eight hours parked at work on weekdays, making workplace charging a prime opportunity to expand EV charging networks.

So why would employers want to take on the challenge of providing charging stations for their employees, especially if they don’t have many (or any) employees who own EVs?

First of all, infrastructure comes first, so just by virtue of providing the EVSE many employers have seen an increase in EV adoption among their employees. According to a DOE survey, “employees of Challenge partners are six times more likely to drive an EV than the average worker.” Zappos, a shoe and apparel company, installed four level 2 chargers when zero employees owned EVs, and within a year five people had bought EVs. The program clearly demonstrates that the ability to charge your car at work spurs EV adoption.

There are also direct, though usually non-monetary, benefits for employers. Of course employers could charge for the electricity used, but most have provided the electricity for free and been very satisfied (recent partner feedback data indicate that employees are roughly just as likely to utilize workplace charging, whether the employer provides it free or not). The ability to charge your car at work is a great amenity, and when firms are hiring and competing for the best applicants for jobs, EVSE stations have been a major factor in many prospective employees’ decisions to work with a company. It not only helps with recruitment, but also employee retention. Satisfied employees tend to stay at their jobs longer, and anyone who’s worked in HR or management will immediately recognize the financial benefits of reduced turnover.

Beyond just the image to employees and potential hires, workplace charging presents a public image of the company as a cutting edge leader, furthering their environmental commitments and sustainability goals, and can be counted toward LEED points. The benefits for the employees, the firm, and society in general are numerous, and most importantly further the trend toward cleaner, more sustainable transportation.

What are the benefits of becoming a Partner in the Challenge?

In addition to the benefits of having installed EV charging for your employees, joining the Challenge gives employers access to:

  • Informational resources and technical assistance
  • Access to a sharing network of partners and their best practices
  • Peer-to-peer exchange at workplace charging events
  • Support from Challenge ambassador organizations
  • Public recognition of successes

So where are we with the Workplace Charging Challenge?

The goal is to have 500 Challenge partners by 2018, and to date we are more than halfway there with over 260 partners. The DOE just recently released a mid-program update here, if you want to learn more. Partner organizations range widely from tech companies and manufacturers to utilities and universities.

Closer to home, we have been able to identify several firms in the region who are already taking steps toward providing charging for their employees, and we look forward to partnering with them and giving recognition for their work. Just as important, we are working with several others who are interested in the benefits of workplace charging and want to work with us to start the process of installing EVSE and getting EVs everywhere!