This special clean fuel forum featured the hybrid delivery fleet of the Louisiana Coca-Cola Bottling Company, our local Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (CCE) distribution facility.  A presentation highlighted CCE's sustainability initiative called Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CRS).  The deployment of hybrid delivery trucks--the largest hybrid vehicles in the world--are part of an effort to reduce the company's carbon footprint and to work towards the energy conservation goals of the CRS intiative.  By then end of 2009, CCE will have 327 hybrid delivery vehicles on the roads in North America.  Forum attendees were treated to breakfast, the presentation, an up-close look at the hybrid trucks, and a tour of the production facility--one of only two fully-automated CCE facilities.

The roll-out of these hybrid vehicles has attracted media attention across the country, including that of our own WDSU.  You can see WDSU's story on the local Coca-Cola hybrid fleet here: http://www.wdsu.com/video/20607765/index.html (3-minute video).

CCE's new 55,000 lb. GCW hybrid electric tractor (left) and 33,000 lb. GVW 12-bay hybrid electric delivery truck (right).

Additionally, follow this link to the NBC Today Show, who recently featured Chrysler's new electric Peapod vehicle, which Peter Kash mentioned in his presentation.

Jerry Meyer of GM, Michael Badeaux of Honda, Mike Chosa of Toyota, and Peter Kash of Chrysler (clockwise from left) present current and upcoming alternative fuel vehicles at the April 16 Clean Fuel Breakfast Forum.

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Clean Fuel Breakfast Forum—January 8, 2009

Funding Sources for Clean Fuel Projects was the topic of this Clean Fuel Forum.  The discussion included an introduction to the Grants.gov application process and a review of current and upcoming funding opportunities.  The highlighted grant opportunity was a recently released DOE grant, "Petroleum Reduction Technologies for the Transportation Sector."  For more information on this grant or others, please see the meeting material available below.

In partnership with the National Biodiesel Board, the Clean Fuel Partnership hosted an Introduction to Biodiesel Workshop at Delgado Community College.  The workshop included an introduction to the benefits of biodiesel by Alison Dimond of the National Biodiesel Board, the presentation of an engine durability study by Yolanda Bartoli of Cummins Inc, and a discussion of fleet experiences with biodiesel led by Carl Thiessen of Metro St. Louis.  The workshop was well attended by diesel fleet operators from the region. 

Thank you to our sponsors: Veolia Transportation and the National Biodiesel Board; and to Delgado's Motor Vehicle Technology Department for use of their space in the General Motors Training Center.

Meeting Materials available for download:

Meeting Minutes:

• Meeting Minutes (199 kb)

PowerPoint Presentations:

• National Biodiesel Board Presentation--Introduction to Biodiesel (548 kb)
• Cummins Inc Presentation--1000-Hour Engine Durability Evaluation (405 kb)
• Metro St. Louis--Fleet Experiences (35 kb)

Yolanda Bartoli of Cummins Inc (far left), Carl Thiessen of Metro St. Louis (center), and Alison Dimond from the National Biodiesel Board present to attendees of the November 20th Introduction to Biodiesel Workshop.

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National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey—November 5, 2008

 

On Wednesday, November 5, the Southeast Louisiana Clean Fuel Partnership hosted an AFV Day Odyssey event for the New Orleans metropolitan area at Warren Easton Senior High School.  The event featured Blue Bird’s propane powered school bus, biodiesel experts, and an update on current and upcoming AFV.  Local sponsors included Blue Bird, Reed Gas, and CleanFuel USA.  

The propane-fueled school bus courtesy of Blue Bird and Ross Bus Sales.

The Clean Fuel Partnership’s Coordinator, Rebecca Otte, presented an overview of the Partnership’s goals and activities and updated audience members on current and upcoming AFVs.  Although developments in General Motors’ technology were highlighted, vehicles from a broad range of makes, models, and fuel technologies were included.   Mr. Stan Salathe, president of local biodiesel distributor Salathe Oil Company, presented the benefits of biodiesel, while Mr. Tim Condon, of CleanFuel USA offered the propane perspective. 

In particular, Mr. Condon highlighted the use of propane in the Blue Bird/Ross Bus propane-powered school bus.  The bus is 90% cleaner than traditional school busses, and was on display in front of Warren Easton Senior High School.  Following the presentation, attendees examined the bus, including engine and tailpipe.   

A main theme for the event was that alternative fuels are not in competition with each other, but rather are in partnership with each other.  Not only is each fuel type and vehicle technology best suited toward certain needs, but future energy self-sufficiency will require the simultaneous use of many alternative fuels. 

Earl Millet and Keith DeBautte of LDR

 

Meeting Materials available for download:

Steve Baham (far left) and Marylyn Friedkin of LDED

Meeting Minutes:

• Clean Fuel Forum Meeting Minutes, Sept 26, 2008 (182 KB)

Presentations:

• LDR PowerPoint Presentation (863 kb)
• LDED PowerPoint Presentation (295 kb)
• LDEQ PowerPoint Presentation (1,670 kb)

Handouts provided by the Louisiana Department of Revenue:

Wayne Slater of the LDEQ

• Summary of Incentives for the Use of Renewable Energy, March 2008 (96 kb)
• LDR Newsletter, alternative fuel credit (78 kb)
• Summary of Credit for Converting Vehicles to Alternative Fuel (38 kb)
• LA Income Tax Credit for Converting Vehicles to Alternative Fuel (62 kb)
• LA Income Tax Credit for Alternative Fuel Usage for Low-Speed Vehicles (130 kb)
• LA Income Tax Credit for Wind or Solar Energy Systems (322 kb)
• Louisiana Non-refundable Tax Credits (332 kb)
• LDR Converting Vehicles, Residential Energy, and Wind & SolarPostcards, summaries of three different credits (1,259 kb)

On October 23, 2007, the Southeast Louisiana Clean Fuels Partnership held our first Quarterly Stakeholders meeting. The meeting, held at City Park’s Garden Study Center in the Botanical Gardens, was attended by representatives of private and public fleets, fuel and vehicle distributors, elected officials, utility companies, local nonprofit economic development organizations, state agencies, trade associations, and other Clean Cities partners.

Stakeholders filled the Garden Study Center at New Orleans City Park.

The meeting presented an overview of the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program as well as the new mission of the Southeast Louisiana Clean Fuels Partnership. Melissa Howell, Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition Coordinator representing the Department of Energy, presented on the various biofuels available, including ethanol, biodiesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), propane, electricity and hybrids. Fuel quality and the importance of using only fuel that meets the ASTM (American Society of Testing Materials)

Various stakeholders provided vehicles for display, including two electric vehicles from Golf Cart World; a standards were emphasized. full-sized pick-up truck running on biodiesel by Salathe Oil Company; and a propane truck provided by CleanFuelUSA. 

Meeting Materials available for download:

• Meeting Agenda
• Southeast Louisiana Clean Fuels Partnership Handout
• Memorandum of Understanding for becoming a member
• SLCFP Overview PowerPoint Presentation

Melissa Howell from the Dept. of Energy and Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition Coordinator and Rebecca Otte, RPC Environmental Programs, hold up directional signs for the quarterly meeting at City Park. Rest assured that the signs pointed in the right direction for the meeting.