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01-20-2010, 10:46
January 19, 2010
Diesel Direct is a monthly publication featuring the latest clean
diesel news and activities of the Diesel Technology Forum. You
can also view the newsletter online at:
[http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/diesel-direct-newsletters (http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/diesel-direct-newsletters)]
Hot Topics
Stimulus Funds for Clean Diesel
Technology Research
[http://www.dieselforum.org/whats-new/stimulus-funds-for-clean-diesel-technology-research (http://www.dieselforum.org/whats-new/stimulus-funds-for-clean-diesel-technology-research)]
DTF issued a statement in response to the Obama Administration
announcement in Indiana of the award of $187 million in stimulus
funds for various projects to increase fuel efficiency. DTF also
congratulates member companies that are recipients of these
awards – Cummins, Daimler Trucks, Delphi, Ford, General Motors,
Navistar, and Robert Bosch. All of these companies along with
the other members of the Forum are leaders in clean diesel
technology and innovation.
"Providing stimulus funds for clean diesel technology is a wise
public investment. Diesel engine and truck makers and suppliers
have a proven track record of working with the Department of
Energy to turn government research investments into real-world
results. Past research investments are already benefitting
Americans through lower emissions and more efficient commercial
truck transportation," said Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director.
Read the full release here
[http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/press-releases/diesel-technology-forum-statement-on-obama-administration-announcement-of-187-million-in-economic-stimulus-funds-for-fuel-efficiency (http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/press-releases/diesel-technology-forum-statement-on-obama-administration-announcement-of-187-million-in-economic-stimulus-funds-for-fuel-efficiency)]
.
New York Times Critics All ♥ Diesels
Contributors to the New York Times drew up their own version of a
Christmas wish list - their top 10 cars for the year. All four
included at least one of the new clean diesels on their list,
and one, Jerry Garrett, included three, the BMW 335d, VW Golf
TDI and Audi A3 TDI. Ezdra Dyer, Lawrence Ulrich and James G.
Cobb each had one diesel on their list, but two of the writers,
Dyer and Ulrich, named the diesel as their number one vehicle of
the year (Dyer-335d; Ulrich-Golf TDI). As Dyer said about his
pick, "The 335d, to my mind, does the most to advance the green
game in the United States, offering a sport-sedan driving
experience along with 36 m.p.g. on the highway and a federal tax
credit."
All the stories can be viewed here
[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/automobiles/27picks.html?ref=automobiles (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/automobiles/27picks.html?ref=automobiles)]
.
New NREL Study Highlights Diesel Hybrid Benefits
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently released a
study of UPS's first generation diesel hybrid delivery vans
powered with Eaton Corporation's electric hybrid propulsion
system . Based on their 12 month evaluation, the diesel hybrid
vehicles showed a 28.9 percent boost in fuel efficiency and a 15
percent improvement in total cost per mile while maintaining
similar reliability and operational performance than
conventional vehicles. The study was funded by DOE's Advanced
Vehicle Testing Activity. A copy of the report is available
here
[http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/pdfs/NREL_UPS_hybrid_study.pdf (http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/pdfs/NREL_UPS_hybrid_study.pdf)]
.
Policy Insider
On December 30, 2009 11 governors from New England and Mid
-Atlantic states signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing
to the development of a low-carbon fuel standard. During 2010
all signatory states will provide data necessary for an analysis
of existing and potential fuels that could help reduce the
carbon intensity of transportation fuels. The goal is to have a
framework developed by early in 2011 which would include agreed
upon percentage reductions from a baseline, a timeline,
regulated parties, trading mechanism for credits, a decision on
whether heating fuel would be included and monitoring and
compliance mechanisms. Signatory states include: Maine, New
Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut,
New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
You can view a copy of the MOU here
[http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/pdfs/LCFS_MOU_Govs_Final.pdf (http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/pdfs/LCFS_MOU_Govs_Final.pdf)]
, and a recent fact sheet about the effort is available by
clicking here
[http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/pdfs/LCFS_Factsheet.pdf (http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/pdfs/LCFS_Factsheet.pdf)].
California Corner Port of Oakland Gets Last
Minute Funding, Still Faces Hurdles
Even though the California Air Resources Board (CARB) offered up
$11 million and gave truckers serving the Port of Oakland a last
minute reprieve from regulations that would ban their rigs, the
confrontation over emissions and economic issues appears likely
to continue. The money was designated to help out those who
earlier in the year had applied for state aid to upgrade their
trucks, but were denied when the fund ran out of money. A little
over half of the new funds will go for $5,000 grants for
retrofits on 1,200 trucks, though the equipment and installation
often costs up to four times that amount. Truckers have also
complained that access to financing for the remainder of the
cost has been difficult to obtain. Nonetheless, 800 truckers
applied for the grants by the end of the first week of January.
The remainder of the funds is $50,000 grants toward the cost of
a new truck to replace the pre-1994 rigs that are now banned
from servicing the port. CARB officials said they would continue
to look for more funds and may consider some regulatory changes
to provide flexibility while those funds are sought.
Read more about this issue from Green Car Congress
[http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/01/oakland-20100101.html (http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/01/oakland-20100101.html)]
and The Cunningham Report
[http://www.cunninghamreport.com/news_item.php?id=1152 (http://www.cunninghamreport.com/news_item.php?id=1152)].
Continued next post:
Diesel Direct is a monthly publication featuring the latest clean
diesel news and activities of the Diesel Technology Forum. You
can also view the newsletter online at:
[http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/diesel-direct-newsletters (http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/diesel-direct-newsletters)]
Hot Topics
Stimulus Funds for Clean Diesel
Technology Research
[http://www.dieselforum.org/whats-new/stimulus-funds-for-clean-diesel-technology-research (http://www.dieselforum.org/whats-new/stimulus-funds-for-clean-diesel-technology-research)]
DTF issued a statement in response to the Obama Administration
announcement in Indiana of the award of $187 million in stimulus
funds for various projects to increase fuel efficiency. DTF also
congratulates member companies that are recipients of these
awards – Cummins, Daimler Trucks, Delphi, Ford, General Motors,
Navistar, and Robert Bosch. All of these companies along with
the other members of the Forum are leaders in clean diesel
technology and innovation.
"Providing stimulus funds for clean diesel technology is a wise
public investment. Diesel engine and truck makers and suppliers
have a proven track record of working with the Department of
Energy to turn government research investments into real-world
results. Past research investments are already benefitting
Americans through lower emissions and more efficient commercial
truck transportation," said Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director.
Read the full release here
[http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/press-releases/diesel-technology-forum-statement-on-obama-administration-announcement-of-187-million-in-economic-stimulus-funds-for-fuel-efficiency (http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/press-releases/diesel-technology-forum-statement-on-obama-administration-announcement-of-187-million-in-economic-stimulus-funds-for-fuel-efficiency)]
.
New York Times Critics All ♥ Diesels
Contributors to the New York Times drew up their own version of a
Christmas wish list - their top 10 cars for the year. All four
included at least one of the new clean diesels on their list,
and one, Jerry Garrett, included three, the BMW 335d, VW Golf
TDI and Audi A3 TDI. Ezdra Dyer, Lawrence Ulrich and James G.
Cobb each had one diesel on their list, but two of the writers,
Dyer and Ulrich, named the diesel as their number one vehicle of
the year (Dyer-335d; Ulrich-Golf TDI). As Dyer said about his
pick, "The 335d, to my mind, does the most to advance the green
game in the United States, offering a sport-sedan driving
experience along with 36 m.p.g. on the highway and a federal tax
credit."
All the stories can be viewed here
[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/automobiles/27picks.html?ref=automobiles (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/automobiles/27picks.html?ref=automobiles)]
.
New NREL Study Highlights Diesel Hybrid Benefits
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently released a
study of UPS's first generation diesel hybrid delivery vans
powered with Eaton Corporation's electric hybrid propulsion
system . Based on their 12 month evaluation, the diesel hybrid
vehicles showed a 28.9 percent boost in fuel efficiency and a 15
percent improvement in total cost per mile while maintaining
similar reliability and operational performance than
conventional vehicles. The study was funded by DOE's Advanced
Vehicle Testing Activity. A copy of the report is available
here
[http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/pdfs/NREL_UPS_hybrid_study.pdf (http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/pdfs/NREL_UPS_hybrid_study.pdf)]
.
Policy Insider
On December 30, 2009 11 governors from New England and Mid
-Atlantic states signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing
to the development of a low-carbon fuel standard. During 2010
all signatory states will provide data necessary for an analysis
of existing and potential fuels that could help reduce the
carbon intensity of transportation fuels. The goal is to have a
framework developed by early in 2011 which would include agreed
upon percentage reductions from a baseline, a timeline,
regulated parties, trading mechanism for credits, a decision on
whether heating fuel would be included and monitoring and
compliance mechanisms. Signatory states include: Maine, New
Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut,
New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
You can view a copy of the MOU here
[http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/pdfs/LCFS_MOU_Govs_Final.pdf (http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/pdfs/LCFS_MOU_Govs_Final.pdf)]
, and a recent fact sheet about the effort is available by
clicking here
[http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/pdfs/LCFS_Factsheet.pdf (http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/pdfs/LCFS_Factsheet.pdf)].
California Corner Port of Oakland Gets Last
Minute Funding, Still Faces Hurdles
Even though the California Air Resources Board (CARB) offered up
$11 million and gave truckers serving the Port of Oakland a last
minute reprieve from regulations that would ban their rigs, the
confrontation over emissions and economic issues appears likely
to continue. The money was designated to help out those who
earlier in the year had applied for state aid to upgrade their
trucks, but were denied when the fund ran out of money. A little
over half of the new funds will go for $5,000 grants for
retrofits on 1,200 trucks, though the equipment and installation
often costs up to four times that amount. Truckers have also
complained that access to financing for the remainder of the
cost has been difficult to obtain. Nonetheless, 800 truckers
applied for the grants by the end of the first week of January.
The remainder of the funds is $50,000 grants toward the cost of
a new truck to replace the pre-1994 rigs that are now banned
from servicing the port. CARB officials said they would continue
to look for more funds and may consider some regulatory changes
to provide flexibility while those funds are sought.
Read more about this issue from Green Car Congress
[http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/01/oakland-20100101.html (http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/01/oakland-20100101.html)]
and The Cunningham Report
[http://www.cunninghamreport.com/news_item.php?id=1152 (http://www.cunninghamreport.com/news_item.php?id=1152)].
Continued next post: