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Electric Vehicle Infrastructure: A Guide for Local Governments in Washington State
7/1/2010
In 2009 the Washington State Legislature enacted a new law designed to encourage electric vehicles. To create a consistent regulatory framework that would help this industry grow across Washington State, the legislature required the Puget Sound Regional Council and Department of Commerce to develop guidance for local governments. To meet this requirement, a broad-based technical advisory committee made up of local governments, charging equipment vendors, utilities, ports, state agencies, and consumer interests was formed. The state's new electric vehicle law requires that all local governments in Washington State allow electric vehicle charging stations in most of their zoning categories. Allowing charging stations creates the need to address a number of issues beyond zoning. These include on-street and off-street signage, charging station design standards, parking enforcement, accessibility for all users, SEPA exemptions, and more. These issues are addressed in this document.
Authors: Technical Advisory Committee
Propane Tank Overfill Safety Advisory
6/24/2010
Seven propane fleets, of varying sizes, were included in the LPG tank fueling evaluation. At each of these fleets a sampling of vehicles were observed during fueling (105 vehicles total). Vehicles were noted when their overfill prevention device (OPD) failed to activate and stop the fueling process. This was done to quantify the frequency of such an occurrence in practice in the field, which could lead to safety and environmental issues.
Hybrid Electric Systems: Goals, Strategies, and Top Accomplishments
6/1/2010
The Vehicle Technologies Program at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, is focused on enabling large-scale production of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that are cost-competitive with conventional vehicles. They endeavor to reduce the cost of electrochemical energy storage and low cost advanced power electronics and electric motor components by developing simulation tools and modeling capabilities.
Flexible Fuel Vehicles: Providing a Renewable Fuel Choice
3/1/2010
Flexible Fuel vehicles can be fueled with unleaded gasoline, E85, or any combination of the two. Today almost 8 million vehicles on U.S. highways are flexible fuel vehicles. The fact sheet discusses how E85 affects vehicle performance, the costs and benefits of using E85, and how to find E85 station locations.
Biomass Energy Data Book, Edition 2
12/1/2009
The Biomass Energy Data Book is a statistical compendium prepared and published by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The book represents an assembly and display of statistics and information that characterize the biomass industry, from the production of biomass feedstocks to their end use. This first edition is currently only available online in electronic format. The first section is an introduction, which provides an overview of biomass resources and consumption. Section 2 covers ethanol, biodiesel, BioOil. Section 3 covers use of biomass for electrical power generation and heating. Section 4 covers the developing area of biorefineries. Section 5 discusses feedstocks that are produced and used in the biomass industry. The sources used represent the latest available data. Three appendices include measures of conversions, biomass characteristics, and assumptions for selected tables and figures.
Authors: Wright, L.; Boundy, B.; Perlack, B.; Davis, S.; Saulsbury, B.
Notes: This 2nd edition of the Biomass Energy Data Book is currently available online in electronic format.
An Action Plan for Cars: The Policies Needed to Reduce U.S. Petroleum Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
12/1/2009
Reducing petroleum consumption and GHG emissions from cars and light?]duty trucks in the United States over the next several decades requires that we implement a clear and coordinated set of policies now. This report describes a portfolio of policies which, in the view of the authors, is needed to put personal vehicle transportation on the road to sustainability in the longer term. To incentivize adoption of more fuel efficient vehicles, we propose coupling existing near?]term fuel economy standards with a feebate incentive program and gradual increases in fuel taxes. We further propose driver education initiatives that would give vehicle owners information on how to maximize fuel savings in their purchase and driving decisions. Finally, we underscore the need for a long?]term strategy for fuels that evaluates fuels?]related programs based on their contribution to reducing life?]cycle petroleum consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Together, these policies offer a robust plan of action that will focus and streamline current efforts to achieve these two important national goals. Perhaps most importantly, this plan lays a much?]needed foundation for a comprehensive, adaptable long?]term policy effort. A more detailed summary of the recommended set of policy measures can be found in Section 2.
Authors: Heywood, J.; Baptista, P.; Berry, I.; Bhatt, K.; Cheah, L.; De Sisternes, F.; Karplus, V.; Keith, D.; Khusid, M.; MacKenzie, D.; McAulay, J.
Household actions can provide a behavioral wedge to rapidly reduce U.S. carbon emissions
11/3/2009
Most climate change policy attention has been addressed to long-term options, such as inducing new, low-carbon energy technologies and creating cap-and-trade regimes for emissions. We use a behavioral approach to examine the reasonably achievable potential for near-term reductions by altered adoption and use of available technologies in US homes and nonbusiness travel. We estimate the plasticity of 17 household action types in 5 behaviorally distinct categories by use of data on the most effective documented interventions that do not involve new regulatory measures. These interventions vary by type of action and typically combine several policy tools and strong social marketing. National implementation could save an estimated 123 million metric tons of carbon per year in year 10, which is 20% of household direct emissions or 7.4% of US national emissions, with little or no reduction in household well-being. The potential of household action deserves increased policy attention. Future analyses of this potential should incorporate behavioral as well as economic and engineering elements.
Authors: Dietz, T.; Gardner, G.; Gilligan, J.; Stern, P.; Vandenbergh
On-Road and In-Laboratory Testing to Demonstrate Effects of ULSD, B20 and B99 on a Retrofit Urea-SCR Aftertreatment System
11/2/2009
In order to demonstrate the performance of a retrofittedselective catalytic reduction (SCR) system while also addressing the issues associated with greater use of biodiesel, a 2005 International 9200i tractor owned by the City of Santa Monica was retrofitted with a titaniavanadia-tungsten catalyst and a urea dosing system supplied by Extengine Systems, Inc. An on-board emissions measurement system supplied by Engine, Fuel, and Emissions Engineering, Inc., was installed on the vehicle; it measured theemissions and fuel use of the vehicle while it operated on ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD), 20% biodiesel (B20), and 99% biodiesel (B99) on consecutive days. The vehicle, with a similar aftertreatment system, was then tested at the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Los Angeles Heavy-Duty Emissions Lab and tested on the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS) to again assess the effects of ULSD, B20, and B99 on the performance of the urea-SCR aftertreatment system. Results from this testing showed that oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions increased by 6%-12% when the blend was increased from ULSD to B20, by 16%-35% when the blend was increased from ULSD to B99, and by 26%-27% when it was increased from B20 to B99. Particulate matter (PM) emissions decreased by 37%-50% when the blend was increased from ULSD to B20, by 71%-79% when it was increased from ULSD to B99, and by 60%-63% when it was increased from B20 to B99. The SCR system reduced NOx emissions by 64%-87%, and its performance was not affected by the use of biodiesel.
Authors: Walkowicz, K.; Na, K.; Robertson, W.; Sahay, K.; Bogdanoff, M.; Weaver, C.; Carlson, R.
Executive Order 13514: Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance
10/5/2009
In order to create a clean energy economy that willincrease our Nation?s prosperity, promote energy security, protect the interests of taxpayers, and safeguard the health of our environment, the Federal Government must lead by example. It is therefore the policy of the United States that Federal agencies shall increase energy efficiency; measure, report, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions from direct and indirect activities; conserve and protect water resources through efficiency, reuse, andstormwater management; eliminate waste, recycle, and prevent pollution;leverage agency acquisitions to foster markets for sustainable technologiesand environmentally preferable materials, products, and services; design,construct, maintain, and operate high performance sustainable buildingsin sustainable locations; strengthen the vitality and livability of the communities in which Federal facilities are located; and inform Federal employees about and involve them in the achievement of these goals.
Authors: Barack Obama
Clean Cities Annual Metrics Report 2008
9/1/2009
Each year, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) asks Clean Cities coordinators to submit an annual report of their activities and accomplishments for the previous calendar year. Approximately 412 million gallons of gasoline were displaced through the Clean Cities efforts in 2008?14% more than in 2007. This displacement represents the combined results of the activities reported by coalitions (as analyzed by NREL) and the impacts of the Fuel Economy Guide and related activities (as estimated by ORNL). Three major changes were made to the Clean Cities survey this year: E10 is no longer counted toward petroleum displacement goals, coordinators no longer relied on a default assumption for the percent of time flex-fueled vehicles used alternative fuel, and B20 was moved from the AFV to the blends category. The first of these changes substantially reduced the reported petroleum displacement by blends from what they otherwise would have been in 2008. AFVs still accounted for the largest share (48%) of the total 412-million-gallon displacement. Fuel economy impacts (combined impacts of coalition and ORNL activity) were responsible for displacing 129 million gallons. The use of biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel) as fuels for AFVs and in low-level biodiesel blends displaced 100 million gallons, or 24% of the total, and idle reduction and HEV technologies combined to displace 20 million gallons. 2008 was the first year that greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions were estimated for Clean Cities activities. The program kept a total of 2.7 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) from being emitted to the atmosphere?the equivalent of removing over 507,000 passenger cars from U.S. roads.
Authors: Bergeron, P.; Johnson, C.
Field Testing Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles with Charge Control Technology in the Xcel Energy Territory
8/1/2009
This report outlines the results of a joint study by Xcel Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to understand the fuel displacement potential, costs, and emissions impacts of the market introduction of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The goal of the current effort was to evaluate, under real-world conditions, the performance attributes of PHEVs with charge control technology in the Xcel Energy service territories. The intention was to expand our knowledge of PHEV benefits, consumer usage, and utility opportunities and challenges.
Authors: Markel, T.; Bennion, K; Kramer, W.; Bryan, J.; Giedd, J.
Biodiesel Clears the Air in Underground Mines
6/1/2009
Biodiesel has many advantages over petroleum diesel for people who live and work aboveground, but it is even more beneficial for those working underground. Because it produces less particulates when it burns, biodiesel fuel protects miners and helps mine operators meet air-quality standards.
Impact of Ethanol Use on Food Prices and Greenhouse-Gas Emissions
4/8/2009
The production and use of ethanol in the U.S. have been steadily increasing since 2001, boosted in part by production subsidies. That growth has exerted upward pressure on the price of corn and, ultimately, on the retail price of food, affecting both individual consumers and federal expenditures on nutritional support programs. It has also raised questions about the environmental consequences of replacing gasoline with ethanol. This analysis examines the relationship between increasing production of ethanol and rising prices for food. It estimated how much of the rise in food prices between 4/07 and 4/08 was due to an increase on the production of ethanol and how much that increase in prices might raise federal expenditure on food assistance programs.
Authors: Gecan, R.; Johansson, R.; FitzGerald, K.
