State-City Announce Funds to Reduce Tailpipe Emissions

June 10, 2008

$6 million available to private fleet operators towards the purchase of Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Albany, NY—The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) today announced the availability of $6 million to assist private and not-for-profit fleets operating in New York City to purchase new or repower vehicles with alternative fuels or advanced technologies that improve efficiency and reduce emissions.  Integrating alternative fuel and emission controls into fleets in New York City will reduce petroleum dependence and mitigate tailpipe emissions in a US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) designated ozone and particulate non-attainment area.

"While private fleets are a vital part of the New York City economy, innovative strategies are needed to maintain the flow of goods and services in a manner that reduces the release of harmful emissions and emboldens an alternative fuel market,” said Vincent A. DeIorio, Chairman of NYSERDA. This program will greatly benefit the people of New York City and New York State because of the economic and environmental investments made by private fleet operators and will result in cleaner New York City air.

The New York City Private Fleet Alternative Fuel/Electric Vehicle Program is a State and local partnership between NYSERDA and the NYC DOT.  The program uses Federal Department of Transportation Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds distributed through NYSERDA to address air quality improvement strategies in the transportation sector.  Additional goals are to reduce emission of greenhouse gases and dependence on imported petroleum.

As we take steps to promote emission reductions among private carriers, NYC DOT is also aggressively reducing pollutants within our own Staten Island Ferry fleet,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.  “Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC agenda and our agency’s strategic plan set a clear plan to install emission-reduction technology in the short term, while eventually operating all Staten Island passenger ferries with ultra-low sulfur diesel.

In 2007 alone, NYSERDA and the NYC DOT awarded over $2.8 to six private fleet operators towards the purchase of forty-one clean fuel vehicles.  These new vehicles, while reducing idling time, will help to displace more than 2.4 million gallons of petroleum over their lifetimes and will have prevented 300 tons of oxides of nitrogen, 360 tons of carbon monoxide, 25 tons of hydrocarbons, and 2.2 tons of particulate matter from being released into the atmosphere.

To date, $7 million has been awarded through previous rounds of the program in which 30 compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, 50 hybrid-electric delivery trucks, and 5 hybrid-electric shuttle buses have been brought into service in New York City.  Six projects are also underway to place an additional 11 electric, 5 hybrid-electric, and 25 CNG vehicles into service.  A natural gas fueling facility is also under construction and will be publicly accessible for vehicles capable of operating on this alternative fuel.

Funds are awarded based on a competitive process which takes into account the relative environmental, energy, and economic benefits of the projects.  Interested applicants should visit NYSERDA for application information and instructions. The deadline for applications is August 19, 2008.

Contact

Colleen Ryan, NYSERDA
518-862-1090, Ext. 3359
cqr@nyserda.ny.gov