State-City Award Funds to Curb New York City Vehicle Emissions

April 3, 2009

Albany, NY — The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) announced today that 14 companies were awarded over $6.6 million to introduce compressed natural gas (CNG), electric, and hybrid-electric vehicles to their fleets. The funding is being awarded through the New York City Private Fleet Alternative Fuel/Electric Vehicle Program, which is designed to assist private and not-for-profit fleets operating in New York City to purchase new vehicles or repower vehicles with alternative fuels or advanced technologies that improve efficiency and reduce emissions.

“We have an obligation in government to take a leadership role in replacing this nation’s automobile fleet with fuel efficient and environmentally-friendly vehicles. In New York, we have already begun this process, and these grants will help to spur the private sector to do the same,” said Governor David A. Paterson. “I applaud NYSERDA and the NYC DOT for their leadership in introducing alternative fueled clean hybrid-electric vehicles into the State and City vehicle fleets. The partnership between government and industry is yet another example of cooperation in which New Yorkers are the real beneficiaries.”

“This public-private partnership to modernize fleet vehicles demonstrates our common interest in reducing dependence on imported oil and improving the air we breathe, which are key components of Governor David A. Paterson’s comprehensive energy strategy,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “As this technology becomes more widely available, the people of New York City and New York State will benefit from increased access to alternative fuels and a cleaner environment.”

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 emissions of greenhouse gases and dependence on imported petroleum.

“This kind of investment represents a serious commitment to help reduce the carbon footprint of the trucks that keep our City moving,” said NYC Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. “Consumer goods and services will still reach their destinations, but we can also move the City closer to the kind of sustainable future called for in the Bloomberg administration’s PlaNYC agenda and the NYCDOT’s own strategic plan.”

Joel Ettinger, executive director of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council said, “The good news is that increasing growth and travel in our region doesn’t have to have an overall negative impact on air quality. The promotion of these technologies – and the willingness of private operators to use them – to reduce emissions and lessen our carbon footprint and dependence on fossil fuels, is most welcomed. Any steps we can take to help bring New York into compliance with clean air regulations are steps in the right direction. I applaud the operators, NYSERDA and NYCDOT for spearheading this initiative.”

New to this round of the program was a separate funding category (category B) that provided incentives for the purchase and installation of California Air Resources Board (CARB) or EPA certified emissions reduction equipment on medium and heavy-duty diesel vehicles. CARB certified emissions equipment has been proven to reduce the emissions of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and hydrocarbons from diesel powered vehicles.

These one hundred thirty-seven new clean fuel vehicles will displace over 5.8 million gallons of petroleum over their lifetimes as compared to conventional vehicles. Harmful pollution that would have been released in New York will be reduced by 790 tons of Oxides of Nitrogen, 2,791 tons of Carbon Dioxide, 5 tons of Hydrocarbons, and 18 tons of Particulate Matter over the lifetime of the vehicles.

To date, $7 million has been awarded through previous rounds of the program in which 32 compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, 47 hybrid-electric delivery trucks, and 5 hybrid-electric shuttle buses have been brought into service in New York City along with a private CNG fueling facility. Six projects are currently under way to place an additional electric delivery vehicle, 2 hybrid-electric buses and 25 CNG vehicles into service. A natural gas fueling facility is under construction that will provide greater public access to vehicles capable of operating on this fuel type.
Projects that were awarded funds include:

Penske Truck Leasing was awarded $257,571 to purchase two 33,000 pound gross vehicle weight and six 26,000 gross vehicle weight hybrid-electric vehicles with hybrid-electric refrigeration units. These vehicles will be leased to City Harvest, Inc., a non-profit food rescue organization in New York City.

Frito Lay was awarded $200,295 to purchase 5 electric delivery trucks and the associated charging equipment. Partnering with Smith Electric, Frito Lay will demonstrate the Edison electric truck for 10 years with the intention of expanding its zero-point source electric vehicle fleet operations in the New York City Metropolitan and surrounding areas.

Anheuser-Busch was awarded $1,160,720 to re-power 22 heavy duty trucks with CARB certified CNG engines. These re-powered trucks will take the place of older, dirtier vehicles—significantly displacing petroleum and reducing tailpipe emissions. While this project supports NYSERDA’s efforts to improve air quality in high impact areas, it will also be the first Budweiser fleet in the country to convert vehicles to operate on CNG.

Federal Express Corporation was awarded $1,225,000 to purchase 50 duel fuel E85-hybrid electric delivery trucks. These trucks will replace older delivery trucks in an ideal work environment for hybrids such as low speed, stop and go, and urban driving operation.

Bartlett Dairy, Inc. was awarded $1,200,000 to purchase 20 CNG milk delivery trucks to replace existing diesel powered delivery trucks in its fleet. In addition, a CNG fueling facility will be constructed for use by neighboring delivery fleets capable of operating on this fuel type.

Verizon Communications was awarded $292,800 to purchase ten (10) medium duty chassis for use as CNG aerial lift trucks. Use of on-board generators and battery packs will cut idle time and reduce tailpipe emissions.

New Deal Logistics was awarded $302,907 to purchase two electric vehicles and install a quick charge unit on each vehicle. In addition, solar charging capability will be installed and tested. These vehicles are zero-point sources of emissions that will replace retiring vehicles and service all 5 boroughs of New York City.

Derle Farms, Inc. was awarded $1,200,000 to purchase 20 CNG delivery trucks. Like similar projects that were awarded funds, this project will also penetrate the refrigerated delivery truck market as a means of reducing emissions across all transportation sectors.

Category B proposers were each awarded $128,000 for the installation of CARB certified diesel particulate filters. While there were no petroleum displacement requirements for this category of the program, the installation of diesel particulate filters on heavy duty trucks in a non-attainment area will reduce particulate emissions by more than 45,000 kilograms over the lifetime of the vehicles. Awardees are: City Transit Mix, Inc., Jenna Concrete Corp., Allied Waste, Casa RediMix Concrete Corp, Ferrara Bros. Building Materials Corp, and Tec-Crete Transit Mix Corp.

Funds are awarded based on a competitive process which takes into account the relative environmental, energy, and economic benefits of the projects. NYSERDA anticipates future rounds of the Program will be conducted annually.

Contact:

Sal Graven, NYSERDA
sg2@nyserda.ny.gov
518-862-1090, ext 3331