Executive Order 13123, Greening the Government Through Efficient Energy Management
6/3/1999
Executive Order 13123 directs the Federal Government, as the Nation?s largest energy consumer, to significantly improve its energy managementin order to save taxpayer dollars and reduce emissions that contribute toair pollution and global climate change. With more than 500,000 buildings,the Federal Government can lead the Nation in energy efficient buildingdesign, construction, and operation. As a major consumer that spends $200billion annually on products and services, the Federal Government canpromote energy efficiency, water conservation, and the use of renewableenergy products, and help foster markets for emerging technologies. In encouraging effective energy management in the Federal Government, thisorder builds on work begun under EPACT and previous Executive orders.
Authors: Clinton, W.J.
Perspectives on AFVs: State and City Government Fleet Manager Survey
2/1/1999
In an effort to reduce national dependence on imported oil and to improve urban air quality, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is promoting the development and deployment of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). To support this activity, DOE has directed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to develop and conduct projects to evaluate the performance and acceptability of light-duty AFVs compared to similar gasoline vehicles. As part of this effort, NREL has undertaken a number of evaluation projects, including conducting telephone surveys with fleet managers and drivers of AFVs in the federal fleet. This report summarizes the results of the survey of state and city government fleet managers.
Urban Waste Grease Resource Assessment
11/1/1998
This study collected and analyzed data on urban waste grease resources in 30 randomly selected metropolitan areas in the U.S. Two major categories of urban waste grease were considered, including yellow grease feedstock collected from restaurants by rendering companies, and grease trap wastes from restaurants.
Authors: Wiltsee, G
A Look Back at the U.S. Department of Energy Aquatic Species Program: Biodiesel from Algae
7/1/1998
The Aquatic Species Program (ASP) was a relatively small research effort intended to look at the use of aquatic plants as sources of energy. While its history dates back to 1978, much of the research from 1978 to 1982 was focused on using algae to produce hydrogen. The program switched emphasis to other transportation fuels, in particular biodiesel, beginning in the early 1980s. This report provides a summary of the research activities carried out from 1980 to 1996 (when the program ended), with an emphais on algae for biodiesel production.
As a result of the program, researchers collected over 3,000 strains of organisms that were winnowed down to around 300 viable species appropriate to their research. The researchers were able to study the physiology and biochemistry of algae and, through genetic engineering, were able to make algae over-express the ACCase gene. Finally, the program experimented with open pond systems for mass production of algae. The group concluded that production costs for producing biodiesel from algae must be below the costs of petro diesel.
Authors: Sheehan, J.; Dunahay, T.; Benemann, J.; Roessler, P.
Alternative Fuel Vehicles: Real-World Perspectives from the Federal Fleet
7/1/1998
Vehicles that run onfuels other than gasoline, or "alternative fuel" vehicles (AFVs), offer great promise for improving air quality and lessening our nation's dependence on imported oil. But if they are to fulfill this promise and replace traditional gasoline vehicles on a large scale, they must meed the needs of the people using them, and consumers must have access to"real-world" information about them. Do they drive as well as gasoline vehicles? Are their refueling stations as convenient as the corner gas station? Can we expect the same reliability that we've come to expect from our gasoline vehicles? How better to answer these questions than to ask the people who are actually running the AFVs? So in 1996, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national labortory, designed a nationwide study to capture the opinions of federal fleet managers and drivers onthe performance, reliability, driveability, and acceptability of AFVs. NREL put together this short brochure to serve as a "quick look" summaryof the surveys and their results.
Authors: Whalen, P
Alternative Fuels In Trucking, Vol. 6, No. 2
11/1/1997
This issue includes articles on Future Fuels for Heavy-Duty Trucks, LNG Tax Relief, the Status of the Federal Clean Fuel Fleet Program, and the Cummins Engine, which successfully meets EPA and CARB standards.
Alternative Fuels In Trucking, Vol. 6, No. 1
8/1/1997
This issue includes articles on: 1) lessons learned from the biodiesel fuel test; 2) a grocery chain's use of LNG tractors on California roads; 3) using liquefied natural gas as a vehicle fuel; and 4) an LE-55 natural gas engine project which targets 55% efficiency and low emissions.
AFDC Update: News of the Alternative Fuels Data Center (Vol. 6, No. 1)
5/1/1997
This issue includes articles on: 1) EPA's redesign of conversion certification policies; 2) the introduction of an NGV incentive Bill in Congress; 3) the introduction of the Boxer Bill in Congress; 4) New Jersey transit's expanded refueling infrastructure; 5) a Sacramento group's efforts to increase awareness of EV benefits; 6) testing of hybrid electric buses by a New York R&D group; 7) the use of heavy-duty LNG vehicles at the L.A. Airport and USPS; 8) the introduction of a medium-duty NGV by DOE and USPS; 9) NGVC's council to support LNG; 10) EV charging sites in Arizona; 11) a fuel company's purchase of natural gas refueling stations; 12) the reduced cost of methanol in California; 13) heavy-duty alternatives from OEMs and rebuilders; 14) Chrysler's announcement of an E-85 minivan and gasoline-powered fuel cell; 15) Ford's provision of 15 E85 minivans for use in state and USPS fleets; 16) GM's announcement of CNG options in Sierra and C-Series pickup trucks; 17) DOE funding; 18) a Virginia company's CNG helicopters; 19) Clean Cities' addition of the first two Ohio cities; 20) the future of CNG in Philadelphia; and 21) the Clean Cities conference.
AFDC Update: News of the Alternative Fuels Data Center (Vol. 5, No. 4)
2/1/1997
This issue includes articles on: 1) Clinton's issuance of an Executive Order on alternative fuels; 2) passage of the Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 through Congress; 3) The introduction of an NGV incentives package by the House Natural Gas Vehicle Task Force; 4) a New York bond act for clean fuel programs; 5) California's veto of an AFV incentive; 6) a "Stealth Bus" in Los Angeles; 7) Ashland Chemical, Inc.'s switch to M85 Ford Tauruses in its fleet; 8) New York City's increasing use of alternative fuels; 9) Iowa DOT's blend of biodiesel in heavy-duty vehicles; 10) King County, Washington's use of natural gas in police fleets; 11) heavy-duty trucks on ethanol; 12) UPS's plans to double its NGV fleet by 1998; 13) EV charging sites in Arizona; 14) changes at the National Biodiesel Board; 15) alternative fuel refueling sites on the Web; 16) the U.S. Postal Service and the DOE's plans to introduce a CNG mail truck; 17) Clean Cities; 18) Honda's announcement of a natural gas Civic; 19) the rise of alternative fuel bus purchases; 20) Ford Motor Company's AFV rebates; 21) natural gas testing in U.S. Volvos; 22) the introduction of EV1s; 23) Nissan's use of lithium-ion in its electric vehicles; and 24) plans for cleaner off-road engines.
Executive Order 13031, Federal Alternative Fueled Vehicle Leadership
12/13/1996
Executive Order 13031 outlines the provisions to ensure that the Federal Government exercises leadership in the use of alternative fueled vehicles (AFVs). To that end, each Federal agency should develop and implement aggressive plans to fulfill the alternative fueled vehicle acquisition requirements established by the Energy Policy Act of 1992.
Authors: Clinton, W.J.
Alternative Fuels In Trucking, Vol. 5, No. 2
12/1/1996
This issue includes articles on: 1) the development of an interstate clean transportation corridor; 2) a Congressional task force that is addressing natural gas vehicle R&D concerns; 3) a midwest ethanol demonstration project; 4) Caterpillar's introduction of new dual-fuel engines; 5) a report on gas composition issues for natural gas vehicles and fueling stations; 6) NGVC's testimony before the House Oversight and Investigation Committee; and 7) DOE's Biodiesel Research and Development Program's search for industry partnerships in the heavy-duty sector.
AFDC Update: News of the Alternative Fuels Data Center (Vol. 5, Iss. 3)
12/1/1996
This issue includes articles on: 1) DOE's evaluation of private and local fleet roles; 2) CMAQ's support of AFV programs; 3) how to buy time; 4) the latest transit bus results; 5) an ethanol refueling handbook; 6) heavy duty manufacturers; 7) natural gas composition and vehicles; 8) Chrysler's discontinuation of NGV production for model year 1997; 9) Ford's continuation of AFV lineup with reduces prices; 10) Clean Cities in the air; 11) a House of Representatives natural gas vehicle task force; 12) the House Renewable Energy Caucus; 12) an alternative fuel vehicle incentive bill in Arizona; 13) ethanol Windstars; 14) and the use of alternative fuel vehicles at the Olympics.
Alternative Fuel Transit Buses: Final Results from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Vehicle Evaluation Program
10/1/1996
Transit buses represent one of the best applications for alternative fuels, which have already made significant inroads into the transit bus market. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, initiated a program to study the performance, reliability, costs, and emissions of alternative fuel transit buses versus conventional diesel buses (controls). This report comprehensively and objectively evaluates the reliability, operating costs, and emissions levels of all alternative fuels currently in use in the transit bus industry.
Authors: Motta, R.;Norton, P.;Kelly, K.;Chandler, K.;Schumacher, L.;Clark, N.