Transportation & Land Use

Maine Clean Communities

   

The next Maine Clean Communities meeting is scheduled for:

June 4, 2008 - 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

MEETING LOCATIONGreater Portland Council of Governments
68 Marginal Way, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine

 

Maine Clean Communities

Maine Clean Communities is a locally based government / industry partnership, coordinated by the US Department of Energy (DOE) and administered by GPCOG to expand the use of alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuel, and reduce the use of petroleum for transportation.

The purpose of Maine Clean Communities is to promote alternative, or clean, fuels and clean fuel vehicles which advance clean air objectives and energy independence. Clean fuel vehicles benefit the economy through conversions of conventional vehicles by developing new technologies and products and by expanding the clean fuel infrastructure. For more information about alternative fuels and vehicles, visit the DOE website.

The Maine Clean Communities Coalition is comprised of fleet managers, state and local officials, clean fuel providers, and other groups and individuals interested in promoting the use of clean fuels and clean fuel vehicles. The Steering Committee (pdf) meets every other month at various locations around the state to discuss issues and make decisions on projects. For information on the date and location of the next meeting, an agenda, and minutes of the last meeting, please click on the calendar below.

For more information on the goals, projects and activities of the MC2 Program

download this file.


Funding
Funding is provided by the US Department of Energy, the Federal Transit Administration and PACTS.

Staffing
Maine Clean Communities is staffed by Senior Transportation Planner Steve Linnell


CNG Fueling Station

On May 1, 2006, Greater Portland METRO and Maine Clean Communities celebrated the opening of Maine’s first Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling infrastructure and the introduction of 13 new CNG transit buses and three school buses operated by the Portland School District.

Maine Clean Communities has played a key role in this $6.5 million project. The local Clean Cities coalition acquired grant funding through the US Department of Energy totaling more than $600,000 including state and local match.

Natural gas is inherently clean burning and has for many years been the fuel of choice for transit agencies seeking to improve air quality. In recent years, advanced emission control technologies have been developed for diesel buses. Particularly important and challenging for these buses is reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), key ingredients in the formation of ground-level ozone (smog). Results of testing by the National Renewable Energy Lab at the US Department of Energy suggest that, among buses with engines of similar vintage, natural gas buses remain the cleanest option, with NOx emissions 25%-49% lower than their diesel counterparts. The natural gas buses also produced 10%-84% lower emissions of particulate matter (PM), another key pollutant. In addition, CNG buses are quieter than comparable diesel vehicles. The noise level for CNG engines is generally 10 to 15 decibels lower than diesel.

The fueling infrastructure, installed by the Hanover Group features:

  • Single tower Xebec Gas Dryer
  • Two — Ariel 164 scfm* Compressors
    • 75 HP soft-start electric motor driven
  • Sound Enclosure — 70 dBA @ 20 ft.
  • Six — 10,000 scf storage spheres @ 4,500 lbs. @ 70 degrees F
  • Transit Duty Dispenser @ 3,600 pounds per square inch (psi)
  • Dual hose commercial dispenser @ 3,000 and 3,600 psi
  • Fuel Management System

* Standard cubic feet per minute

The Orion VII Transit Buses are equipped with:

  • John Deere 8.1 L CNG engines that produce 250 HP @ a maximum rated speed of 2200 rpm
  • Eight on-board fuel storage cylinders equaling approximately 70 diesel gallon equivalents

The three Thomas Safety Liner school buses use the same John Deere Engine and have 56 gasoline gallon equivalents of on-board storage.

The project also required making facility improvements to METRO’s maintenance and storage garages. These included:

  • Removal of overhead open flame heaters and spark producing electrical devices
  • Replacement with forced hot air ducts at ground level and explosion proof lighting
  • Normal air exchange of three turns per hour
  • Methane detection technology
  • Automatic door openers in the event of a leak
  • Incident air exchange @ six turns per hour

 

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Clean Fuel Vehicle Incentives in Maine

The State of Maine has enacted legislation that provides incentives for the purchase and operation of Clean Fuel Vehicles. Businesses, municipalities, and individuals can now save money when adding clean, alternative fuel vehicles to their fleet.

Fuel Tax Equalization for Clean Fuels in Maine. Beginning October 1, 2000 the State Highway Tax on clean fuels was equalized to gasoline according to their relative BTU content by volume.

Fuel Type

BTU content per gallon

Formula (BTU value fuel/

BTU value gasoline)

Tax Rate

Gasoline

115,000

100% x $0.276

$0.276 per gallon

Methanol (M85)

  65,530

  57% x $0.276


$0.157 per gallon

Ethanol (E85)

  81,850

  71% x $0.276


$0.196 per gallon

Propane (LPG)

  84,500

  73% x $0.276


$0.201 per gallon

Compressed Natural

100,000*

  87% x $0.276


$0.239 per 100 standard cubic feet

*BTU per 100 standard cubic feet

 

Exemption From the Sale or Lease Tax on the Incremental Cost of a Clean Fuel Vehicle. A Billl to extend this incentive was not successful. The content of the expired legislation stated: Clean fuel vehicles sold by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have an added cost to the consumer, sometimes called the incremental cost, over and above that of identical gasoline-powered vehicles. Starting on January 1, 1999 and extending until January 1, 2006, the incremental cost of clean fuel vehicles will not be subject to sales or lease tax. When there is no identical vehicle powered by gasoline, 30% of the price of internal combustion engine vehicles, and 50% of electric and fuel cell vehicles will qualify for the exemption.

Tax credit on the cost of developing clean fuel infrastructure. This incentive has been extended to December 31, 2008 through the Supplemental Budget, Part PPP-1968 (page 234). Anyone who installs, constructs or makes improvements to any filling or charging station for the purposes of providing clean fuels to the general public for use in motor vehicles is allowed a partial tax credit. The credit may not reduce the tax below zero and may not exceed the income tax liability on the sale of clean fuel. However, unused portions of the credit may be carried over to subsequent years until exhausted. The qualifying percentage of expenditures is 25% from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2006

.

Insurance Incentives. Insurers are allowed, but not required, to offer incentive rates to encourage policyholders to use clean fuel vehicles. Ask your agent. Many vehicle manufacturers offer substantial incentives as well.

Federal Tax Incentives

In addition to Maine State incentives, taxpayers can also take advantage of Federal tax incentives. The recently enacted Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Highway Bill, SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act - a Legacy for Users) contains provisions for alternative fuel vehicles, infrastructure and fuel sales. Below are the highlights. For more details, view the PowerPoint presentation (pdf).

Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit

  • Provides a tax credit to the buyer for the purchase of a new, dedicated alternative fuel vehicle of 50% of the incremental cost of the vehicle, plus an additional 30% if the vehicle meets certain tighter emissions standards.
  • These credits range from $5000- $40,000 depending on the size of the vehicle.
  • For non-tax paying entities, the seller of the vehicle can take the credit.
  • Credit is effective on purchases made after 12/31/05 and expires 12/31/10.
  • This provision makes credits available for the acquisition of LD, MD and HD fuel cell vehicles, hybrids, and dedicated natural gas, propane, hydrogen and M85 alt fuel vehicles and LD lean burn diesel vehicles (less than 8500 lbs.)
  • View a list of IRS Qualified Alternative Fuel Motor Vehicles (QAFMV) and Heavy Hybrid Vehicles

Credit for Installation of Alternative Fueling Stations

  • Provides a tax credit equal to 30% of the cost of alt fuel refueling equipment
  • Up to $30,000 in the case of large stations
  • Up to $1,000 for home refueling appliances.
  • For non-tax-paying entities, the seller of the fueling equipment can take the credit.
  • Credit applies to E85, natural gas, LPG, hydrogen, and biodiesel (at blends of at least 20%).
  • Credit is effective on purchases placed in service after 12/31/05 and expires 12/31/09.
  • The existing $100,000 tax deduction for refueling property is repealed.

Extension of Excise Tax Provisions and Income Tax Credit for Biodiesel – Extends the current biodiesel excise tax provisions and income tax credit from 2006 to 2008

.

Diesel Emission Reductions

  • Establishes a program to make grants and loans available to State and local government agencies and non-profit organizations for reducing emissions from diesel engines.
  • The program focuses on replacing/retrofitting engines in non-attainment areas and would require that at least 50 percent of the federal program funds be used on public fleets.
  • EPA or CARB certified or verified technologies qualify. NGV repowers and replacements will be eligible.
  • Legislation authorizes $200 million per year for FY 2006 through 2010.

Volumetric Excise Tax Credit for Alternative Fuels

  • Provides an excise tax credit (referred to as VEETC) to the seller of CNG or LNG.
  • The credit is 50-cent per gasoline-gallon-equivalent for CNG and 50-cents per liquid gallon for LNG for the sale of CNG and LNG for use as a motor vehicle fuel.
  • It begins on October 1, 2006 (delayed for budget reasons) and expires on September 30, 2009.
  • Under this approach, CNG and LNG will pay the same rate of tax into the Highway Trust Fund as all other transportation fuels, but then CNG and LNG would receive an excise tax credit paid out of the general fund.
  • The credit will be paid to eligible recipients on a regular basis without regard to the actual amount of excise tax paid.
  • Propane, hydrogen and some minor fuels also are eligible for this credit.
  • The value of the excise tax credit is offset by an increase in the motor fuels excise tax rate for both CNG and LNG.
  • CNG is increased from 4.9 cents per GGE to 18.3 cents
  • LNG is increased from 11.9 cents per LNG gallon to 24.3 cents
  • Compared to the current situation, the net benefit will be:
  • For CNG: 36.6 cents per GGE
  • For LNG: 63.6 cents per DGE
  • For non-tax paying entities, the full 50-cents per gge will be paid.

Clean School Bus Program – EPA in consultation with DOE, provides funds to school districts and related organizations to replace, repower, or retrofit buses. EPA must “achieve an appropriate balance between replacement and retrofit.

For replacement buses, grantees receive 50% of the cost of the new bus if it meets:

– For Model Year 2005 & 2006, 1.8 grams NOx plus NMHC and 0.01 PM (which is the minimum standard for diesel engines)

– For Model Year 2007, 08, 09, “regulatory requirements” by EPA. This is assumed to mean the phase in requirement to 2010 which is 0.2 grams NOx plus NMHC and 0.01 PM

  • Grantees receive 25% of the cost of the new bus if they meet less strict emissions standards:

– For Model Year 2005 and 2006, 2.5 grams NOx plus NMHC and 0.01 PM (minimum standard for diesel buses)

– For Model Year 2007, 2008, and 2009, regulatory requirements by EPA. Assumed to mean the phase-in requirement to 2010 which is 1.8 grams NOx plus NMHC and 0.01 PM

  • Grantees can receive 100% of retrofit costs.
  • No state can receive more than 10% of the monies made available each year. $55M authorized for 2006, $55M for 2007, and such sums as are necessary for 2008-2010.

Diesel Truck Retrofit and Fleet Modernization Program – EPA, in consultation with DOE, administers a competitive grant program for fleet modernization and retrofit of diesel trucks. Grants go to state or local governments who will allocate funds with preference for ports and other major hauling operations. 50% cost share required. Replaced trucks must be 1998 or older.


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Propane Fuel Dispenser

Propane-powered vehicles can be fueled at the Propane Fuel Dispenser located on Thompson Point, in partnership with Suburban Propane.




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Rebate Program

The Maine Clean Communities Coalition currently does not have a rebate program available.

 

 

 

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