February 2016 Edition
EPA Clean Diesel Funding, Alt Fuel Training for First Responders, Member Updates, EVs In Washington State, And More!

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Join Us at the Green Transportation Summit & Expo

We've been busy helping plan the program for the upcoming Green Transportation Summit & Expo, and there is something for everyone.  

Here is a sampling of the topics that will be addressed:

  • Integrating EV Charging For Your Fleet Or Work -- Hear from fleets that have successfully integrated charging for fleet users and employees. 
  • Calculating Your Fleet's GHG Emissions -- Seems like a daunting task but it doesn't have to be. Learn about tools you can use to measure fuel footrpints and caluclate greenhouse gas emissions.  
  • Buying Fuel For Less Than $1 Per Gallon -- Over the past 25 years, propane autogas prices average around 40% less expensive than conventional fuels. 
  • Biodiesel: The Easy Way To Green Your Fleet -- A discussion on new policies that make biodiesel a formidable fuel for the future.
  • What Is Renewable (Green) Diesel? -- Come find out what all the buzz is about regarding this emerging fuel. 
  • Pioneering Sustainable Transportation in Local Government -- Hear from leading first movers who have set a cutting-edge example for other public and private sector fleets to follow. 

This is just a fraction of the numerous and informative sessions planned for the two-day event. Find the full agenda here. As an added bonus, Day 3 will feature an exciting Performance Ride & Drive where attendees can test-drive a variety of alternative fuel-powered cars, trucks and buses -- on a closed race track!

Special Offer Extended!
Fleets that provide us with data for our annual fuel report are eligible to receive discounted admission of $100. Data must be submitted by March 7. Contact Scott DeWees for details. 

Clean Cities Networking Reception & Awards Celebration
Western Washington Clean Cities is hosting an evening reception at the conference on Tuesday, April 5 -- plan on joining us for networking, tasty hors d'oeurves, and recognition of our Coalition's members. 
EPA Funding For Clean Diesel Projects 
This month the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $26 million in available grant funding for projects that reduce diesel pollution, particularly in areas with poor air quality. Proposed projects can range from use of cleaner fuels and idle-reduction technologies to vehicle and equipment replacement. 

Grant funding is available for projects nationwide, but for Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington), the EPA is requesting proposals between $300,00 and $800,000. 

Free Training For First Responders

A new training program provides tools and information that fire fighters and other first responders need to safely handle emergency situations involving alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs).

Provided by the National Fire Protection Association, the program's self-paced courses use videos and simulations to teach responders how to identify AFVs and recommended practices for a variety of incidents with both vehicles and charging/refueling stations. 

Learn More
Welcome New Members!
We have several new members to our coalition!

Welcome to the  Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) -- their notable contributions to promoting alternative fuels include  their recent bid for the 2016 Nissan Leaf and 2017 Chevy Volt. 

Welcome also to another new member --  Kitsap County. The County is working towards adding propane a utogas vehicles to their fleet and transitioning other vehicles to a biodiesel blend sometime this year.

Sound Transit has also made the move to Silver Level sponsor. 

Thank you all for your support of Western Washington Clean Cities and a clean transportation future in the Pacific Northwest.
Member Updates

Our members continue to make progress in reducing Western Washington's petroleum use. Check out a few of our region's latest alternative fuel successes:
King County Marine Division: Boating With Biodiesel 

The King County Marine Division just completed a fleet-wide transition to a 10% locally-sourced biodiesel fuel blend in all water taxi vessels, including the new vessels Doc Maynar d and Sally Fox, pictured above.

Biodiesel helps King County reduce greenhouse gas emissions, emit fewer exhaust particulates, and help achieve the ambitious emissions reduction goals set in the County’s 2015 Strategic Climate Action Plan.

Next month, the Marine Division will kick-off an employee-led “Green Team” to engage frontline employees in decision-making and project leadership. The Green Team will address the Division's initiatives to reduce facility energy use and waste production, facilitate environmental training and awareness for all employees, and provide a forum for frontline employees to develop new and innovative solutions to help the Marine Division and all of King County confront climate change.  
King County Metro: All Aboard Metro's Battery-Powered Buses

The first of three all-electric King County Metro buses officially entered into service this month.  Produced by Proterra, the electric buses can travel at least 23 miles per charge and fully charge in ten minutes or less, allowing for a quick break before they're back on the job.

The electric buses are expected to save King County nearly 40 percent in operating costs compared to a petroleum diesel bus. If the buses perform as expected, the County could look to replace Metro's fleet of diesel buses with their battery-powered cousins. 

The new buses will operate on routes 226 and 241 serving Bellevue. 
City of Olympia: New Video Shows How Easy Driving An EV Can Be

The City of Olympia has produced a video showing its employees how to use an electric vehicle.  With the help of a new superhero -- Captain EV -- a City employee learns the ins and outs of starting, driving and charging City-owned Nissan Leaf.

Watch the video here. 

The City intends to continuing adding electric cars to their vehicle pool, including another Nissan Leaf as early as this year. 
Port of Seattle: Sea-Tac Airport & Alaska Airline's Electric Moves 

In case you missed it, Alaska Airlines and Sea-Tac International Airport were featured in the latest Clean Cities Now publication. The airline's 204 electric ground support equipment (eGSE) vehicles, purchased with grant funds in collaboration with Western Washington Clean Cities, saves nearly $500,000 a year in fuel costs. The equipment ranges from belt loaders to aircraft pushback vehicles. 
 
Blue Star Gas: More Public Propane Autogas Stations 

Blue Star Gas recently opened two new public access propane autogas stations in Western Washington -- one in Seattle and the other in Shoreline. With these new stations now available, the Blue Star network now includes 11 propane autogas stations across the Pacific Northwest. 
Puget Sound Clean Air Agency:
Taking the On-Ramp to EVs 

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency became the latest fleet to join the  West Coast Electric Fleets initiative. By signing on as an "On-Ramp" partner, the Agency makes a commitment to evaluate zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) before all future fleet purchases and leases while continuing to annually reassess how the fleet can add ZEVs to everyday operations. 

West Coast Electric Fleets, an initiative of the Pacific Coast Collaborative, is a collection of public and private fleets committed to deploying ZEVs as part of a low-carbon economy on the West Coast.
Question of the Month

What types of incentives and laws did state legislators and others enact in 2015?

Answer 
From Our Blog
EV Rundown: What's Available & Coming To Washington

It's time to get excited for a new wave of electric vehicles hitting the market in Washington! Our latest blog highlights many of the EVs that are either currently available or set to be released in our state. 

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