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MAINE CLEAN COMMUNITIES
Promoting clean fuel vehicles, energy use and emissions savings, and clean air 
   
NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS
February 2017
 Maine Clean Communities 
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Upcoming Events and Webinars:
February 12-15, 2017
Energy Independence Summit 2017 is the nation's premier clean transportation policy summit. The Summit provides a unique opportunity for Clean Cities Coalitions and leaders in the clean transportation industry to network and build partnerships with each other, and with key Congressional and Administration policymakers in Washington, DC.  
   
February 21, 2017
5:00 pm
 Range anxiety is an obstacle to the acceptance of electric vehicles (EVs), caused by drivers' uncertainty regarding their vehicle's state of charge (SoC) and the energy required to reach their destination. Most estimation methods for these variables use simplified models with many assumptions that can result in significant error, particularly if dynamic and environmental conditions are not considered.   
    
March 1st, 2017
2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. EST
Experts at the Center for Sustainable Energy will discuss factors to consider when selecting an EV Charger or Service Provider, and what features may be necessary to 'future proof' your investment. Come ready with all your questions and concerns regarding EV charging infrastructure.
Register Here! 
    
April 11-12, 2017
The Green Transportation Summit & Expo (GTSE) is the region's premier fleet modernization and alternative fuels event. GTSE events offer the best combination of information-packed sessions, prominent national and regional speakers, and the latest technologies from industry leaders.        
April 25, 2017
This conference is for fleet industry professionals, both government and private, to discuss the most relevant topics and concerns facing fleet operation today. It presents many opportunities for continuing education and networking with other fleet professionals.
     
May 1-5, 2017
The ACT Expo 2017 is an alternative fuels and clean vehicles conference and expo. ACT is dedicated to displaying all alternative fuels, advanced clean vehicles & technology providing strong educational value and positive results for fleet professionals and industry stakeholders looking to make investments in these alternative opportunities.


     

Welcome to the Maine Clean Communities Newsletter

Your clearinghouse for news and funding opportunities to help reduce emissions & petroleum consumption in transportation

What's New
 
Each year Maine Clean Communities gathers data on the use of alternative fuel use, advanced fuel technologies, and other petroleum reduction efforts in the state.  
  • Does your fleet use alternative fuels?
  • Do you implement no-idling practices?
  • Do you have strategies in place to reduce vehicle miles traveled?

Then please take our survey! 


Please submit your completed questionnaire by
Wednesday, February 15th, 2017

Thank you! 

      
Several major interstate highways including I-95, I-91 and I-87, were designated as alternative-fuel corridors by the U.S. Department of Transportation, recognizing the state support for electric vehicles (EV) in the region and setting the stage for the expansion of electric vehicle travel in the northeast and mid-Atlantic. In Maine, I-95 was designated in the section from  Kittery to Augusta. 
The designation will strengthen the efforts of northeast states, which created the Northeast Electric Vehicle Network five years ago. Already, more than 300 DC Fast Chargers and 2500 Level 2 charging stations are publicly available in the region. 
With the designation of the first alternative fuel corridors, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is establishing a national network of alternative fueling and charging infrastructure along national highway system corridors.
Learn more..
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The electric and hybrid vehicles segment has grown by more than 60% since 2013 in Maine. The total percentage of hybrid and electric vehicles reached 1.1% of all registere d vehicles in Maine. Along with new EVs on the road is increased the number of charging stations in the state. AFDC Station Locator has currently more than 100 charging station in the database. 
Green & Healthy Maine Homes Magazine in the Fall/Winter edition reports about electric vehicles and its infrastructure in our state. Read more..  
 

Source: Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, bangordailynews.com
 
 
The Southern Maine Community College hosted the MC2 Fall stakeholder meeting on December 8th, 2016. Participants had an opportunity to learn about EPA's, Maine DEP's, and Clean Cities recognition programs and current situation of Volkswagen emissions scandal. For more information and presentations from the meeting visit our website.
The MotorWeek crew visited Portland in late September to film at Maine Standard Biofuels (MSB) biodiesel production facility and at Casco Bay Lines to highlight their successful use of MSB biodiesel in their ferries. Motorweek's episode (#3612) has been aired on PBS stations nationwide from November 25, 2016.
The crew also filmed at Greater Portland Transit District. This transit agency has been running buses on compressed natural gas (CNG) for more than a decade. More than 40% of its fleet runs on CNG, displacing about 150,000 gallons of diesel a year. The city hosts the area's only CNG fueling station, where other fleets, including the Portland Public School District, also go to fill up. The transit district worked with Maine Clean Communities  in these efforts and plans to add additional CNG buses to its fleet in the near future. This episode will be available soon at: Clean Cities TV 
 
 
 
 
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of $2.75 million of funding for its Zero Emission Research Opportunity (ZERO). This solicitation also will establish eligibility for possible future funding, subject to Congressional appropriations and FTA approval, for ZERO. The purpose of the program is to facilitate the advancement, production, and deployment of zero-emission public transportation vehicle technology and related infrastructure. FTA intends to select, and enter into cooperative agreements with, multiple (up to three) nonprofit consortia to build on past research innovation and development efforts to facilitate the deployment of zero-emission vehicles and associated advanced technology. 
This funding opportunity supports a broad portfolio of advanced highway transportation technologies that reduce petroleum consumption and improve energy efficiency while meeting or exceeding performance and cost expectations.

Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) seeks projects that accelerate the development of advanced batteries, lightweight materials, and emissions control systems, as well as the development of technologies and systems that enable significant improvements in the energy efficient mobility of people and goods. Webinar for applicants
  
Coordinator, Maine Clean Communities 
 
Maine Clean Communities is a locally based government/industry partnership, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy and administered by the Greater Portland Council of Governments to expand the use of alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuel, and reduce the use of petroleum for transportation. Funding for Maine Clean Communities is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy.