Transportation Electrification Solicitation

The Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), on behalf of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE) Office of Vehicle Technologies (OVT) Program, is seeking applications for grants to establish development, demonstration, evaluation, and education projects to accelerate the market introduction and penetration of advanced electric drive vehicles.  DOE’s goal is for the vehicles and electric technologies to achieve a fast market introduction and reach high volume production. 

A key objective of the OVT program is to accelerate the development and production of various electric drive vehicle systems to substantially reduce petroleum consumption.  One of the electric drive technologies that will be emphasized in this project are  Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), which directly supports the President’s goal to Get One Million Plug-In Hybrid Cars on the Road by 2015.  Furthermore, advanced electric drive technologies will allow manufacturers to meet increased fuel economy standards while reducing vehicular emissions of greenhouse gases.  The resulting grants will also meaningfully aide in the nation’s economic recovery by creating US based jobs as outlined in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Please follow the steps below to view the FOAs:

1.  Go to:  www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect

2.  Click on:  Search Public Opportunities and Awards

3.  Under search criteria select -- reference number, and type the FOA number -- (DE-FOA-0000026)

4.  Click on search

5.  Click 00001 (Body)

• 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

• 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

• 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.

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

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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

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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.