NY Governor Paterson Announces $28 Million In Federal Funds For Alternative Fuel Transportation Projects

Grants Support Job Creation; Help to Reduce Petroleum Use and Greenhouse Gases

August 31, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the award of two U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grants totaling more than $28 million for alternative fuel projects. The funds, available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will assist school districts, local governments, public universities, and private businesses in purchasing clean fuel and alternative fuel vehicles and associated infrastructure.

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“These funds support our efforts to advance the use of clean energy in New York and lay the foundation for future development in that field, a central component of the New Economy,” Governor Paterson said. “The grants will assist our local governments, school districts and businesses as they convert to alternative fuel vehicles, as well as finance the creation of the infrastructure needed for their use. I commend President Obama and our Congressional Delegation for setting aside stimulus funds to address both our economy and the environment.”

The $13.3 million DOE Clean Cities grant to New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will be matched with $18.8 million in cost-share from NYSERDA partners to purchase 307 alternative fuel vehicles and eight infrastructure projects across the State. NYSERDA partnered with the Clean Communities of Western New York, Genesee Region Clean Communities, Clean Communities of Central New York, Capital District Clean Communities, and the New York City and Lower Hudson Valley Clean Communities organizations to compile and submit one competitive proposal to the DOE for alternative fuel vehicle and infrastructure development funds. The investment will lead to reduced petroleum consumption by displacing an estimated 302,000 gallons of petroleum per year and thus cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Projects that will be awarded funds include:

* Central Hudson Gas & Electric: four plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEV), four hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV), charging stations
* Chemung County: 10 liquid propane gas (LPG) vans, pick-up trucks
* City of Albany: one heavy-duty HEV, one heavy-duty hydraulic hybrid, 10 light-duty HEVs
* City of Rochester: six neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV), two light-duty compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles
* City of Syracuse: five heavy-duty CNG vehicles, 24 light-duty CNG vehicles, two light-duty HEVs
* Coca-Cola: 20 HEV delivery trucks
* Corning-Painted Post CSD: three LPG school buses
* Cuse Car: CNG, electric fueling stations
* East Greenbush Central School District: one PHEV school bus
* Fairport Central School District: two PHEV school buses
* Ferrario Ford: five LPG pick-up trucks, LPG fueling station
* Gilboa-Conesville Central School District: one LPG school bus
* Harbec: one HEV delivery truck
* Hoosic Valley Central School District: three LPG school buses, LPG fueling station
* Malone Central School District: five LPG school buses
* Monroe County: four LPG pick-up trucks, LPG fueling station
* NYS Department of Environmental Conservation: two HEV buses
* Praxair: one HEV delivery truck
* Republic Service Inc.: four heavy-duty CNG trucks
* Southern Tier News: six light-duty LPG vehicles, LPG fueling station
* Village of Warwick: three HEV school buses, electric charging stations
* SUNY Albany: three NEVs, five HEV buses
* Tompkins County: three light-duty HEVs
* Trumansburg Central School District: three LPG school buses
* Village of Minoa: one heavy-duty CNG vehicle
* Wayne Central School District: two LPG school buses
* Palmyra-Macedon Central School District: one HEV school bus
* National Grid: 11 heavy-duty CNG vehicles, CNG fueling stations
* Bard College: one HEV bus, two light-duty HEVs, one NEV, one light-duty electric vehicle van
* Manhattan Beer: one HEV delivery truck
* NYS Department of State: E85 Firefighter Training Program
* Verizon: 120 CNG vans
* NY Institute of Technology: 20 light-duty PHEVs
* Charlotte Valley Central School District: two LPG school buses

The Greater Long Island Clean Cities Coalition (GLICCC) was awarded a grant of $14.9 million to deploy five alternative fuel stations and 179 alternative fuel vehicles in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. GLICCC and its partners will deploy five compressed natural gas stations on Long Island, as well as 87 heavy-duty trucks throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties, including 44 CNG refuse trucks, 40 heavy-duty CNG dump trucks and three heavy-duty CNG trucks. DOE estimates the program will displace 351,000 gallons of petroleum annually.

Last week, DOE announced that the Clean Cities grants that will establish 542 refueling locations and deploy 9,000 vehicles across the country. The vehicles and infrastructure funded through the program include the use of natural and renewable gas, propane, ethanol, biodiesel, electricity, and hybrid technologies. Governor Paterson has promoted the use of alternative energy in New York State, specifically through the ’45 by 15’ initiative, which proposes that by 2015, New York will meet 45 percent of its electricity needs through energy efficient and clean renewable energy. The plan will create an estimated 50,000 new jobs.

The following statements were given in support of the DOE awards:

Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand: “No other State is poised to lead in the new economy like New York. These federal dollars will give our schools and communities the resources they need to develop and use more clean, renewable energy, cut emissions, create jobs and help transition New York to the clean energy economy of the future. I will continue working with Governor Paterson, Senator Schumer and the entire Congressional Delegation to make sure New York gets its fair share from the federal government to rebuild our economy.”

Congressman Steve Israel said: “I’m on a mission to make New York into a clean energy corridor. The Greater Long Island Clean Cities Coalition and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority are invaluable partners in that mission. This new Recovery Act funding, totaling $28 million, will bring new efficient vehicles to New York’s truck fleet and develop a clean energy transportation infrastructure on Long Island and across the State.”

Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy said: “These funds will help to green Long Island and strengthen our economy. By building an alternative energy infrastructure we will help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, improve our environment and create new and sustainable jobs. This funding is another example of the American Recovery and Reinvestment act at work on Long Island to revitalize our economy while addressing some of our most crucial infrastructure needs.”

Congressman Dan Maffei said: “This investment of Recovery funds into alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure is a significant victory for my district. Central New York is already a leader in research and development of green fuel and technology, and the millions from the Recovery Act and NYSERDA to our local programs and municipalities will only help progress our standing as innovators.”

Congressman Scott Murphy said: “This investment in the future of the 20th District will help to break our dependence on foreign oil while allowing our schools and businesses make the transition to the 21st century clean energy economy. This is a step towards making New York cleaner, safer, and more economical for generations to come.”

Congressman Paul Tonko said: “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, passed by Congress earlier this year, invested unprecedented amounts into clean energy jobs and a new economy. Today’s announcement is no different. I want to applaud Governor Paterson for not only announcing these projects but providing matching funds to stretch our federal dollars. These vehicles, which are most to be used by public entities, show the State of New York’s commitment and dedication to reducing our dependence on foreign fossil fuels and focus on sustainable alternatives. The projects will also help provide a better quality of air, especially for children in lower income neighborhoods where exhaust and fumes are so much more highly concentrated.”

Senator Darrel J. Aubertine, Chair of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, said: “As we continue working to create jobs Upstate and develop a comprehensive energy policy for New York State, this stimulus funding through the Department of Energy will promote the use of alternative energy and help us grow these industries across the State. New York is poised to be a leader in alternative energy and environmentally sustainable products, with our open spaces, agricultural base and the many existing resources we have in Upstate New York. I’m pleased to see this investment through the Recovery Act to create jobs and benefit our environment.”

Senator Martin Malavé Dilan, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, said: “These are exactly the steps we should be taking to actively reduce greenhouse emissions in New York. These funds target large fleets prone to stop and go operations such as schools, universities and municipalities. In doing so we cut the costs out of the equation to address climate change, and make it affordable to curb our reliance on fossil fuels.”

Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, Chair of the Assembly Energy Committee, said: “Progress on the issues of climate change and our economic health will come through initiatives aimed at making our State energy independent. One of the keys to getting us there is the development of clean and efficient transportation alternatives. These funds will provide an important boost to those efforts.”

Assemblyman David F. Gantt, Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, said: “I am very pleased that NYSERDA has awarded the City of Rochester and Monroe County with grants to purchase fuel natural gas and propane-powered vehicles for their respective fleets. The acquisition of these vehicles is an important step in reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. These grants, provided for by federal stimulus funds, help local governments, school districts and public colleges during this strenuous economic recession. My thanks to Governor Paterson and the New York Congressional delegation for obtaining federal funding for these grants.”

President and CEO of NYSERDA Francis J. Murray, Jr. said: “NYSERDA and our partners are committed to investing in the latest transportation technologies that protect our environment, improve local air quality, and reduce dependence on foreign oil; all part of Governor Paterson’s comprehensive clean energy strategy. In particular, school districts will now have the resources to purchase equipment to transport our young children in environmentally-friendly ways that will minimize the adverse effects that air pollution has on the health of young children. I commend each entity awarded funds for rightly placing environmental stewardship at a high priority.”

Program Director for the GLICCC Rita Ebert said: “Through the Long Island Regional Energy Collaborative, GLICCC will help Long Island transform into a fuel independent, efficient and environmentally responsible region. By increasing the demand for clean fuels and technologies, Long Island will benefit from a growing economy, cleaner air and a sustainable future. I would like to thank Congressman Steve Israel for his ongoing support to the Greater Long Island Clean Cities Coalition and other Clean Cities throughout the nation.”

Source: New York Governor