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# What's New at the Alternative Fuels Data Center?

# March 2007

Listed below are new publications and other information recently made
available through the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Alternative
Fuels Data Center (AFDC). The AFDC is sponsored by Clean Cities in the
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and is managed
by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). For more
information, or if you would like to subscribe to this monthly update,
contact Wendy Dafoe at <wendy_dafoe@nrel.gov> or 303-275-4470.

This update is posted online at
[www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/toolbox/current_cutting.html](../www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/toolbox/current_cutting.html).

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#### News

# Underwriters Laboratories (UL) announced it expects to complete the process for establishing E85 dispenser standards in time to accept products for testing by January 2008. For more information, visit [**www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/resources/technology_bulletin_0307.html**](http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/resources/technology_bulletin_0307.html). See also last item under Publications on page two and the first item under Web Sites on page three.

**DOE in March published a final rule that offers state and alternative
fuel provider fleets a new way to comply with their Alternative Fuel
Transportation Program requirements**. Known as Alternative Compliance,
this new rulemaking allows state and alternative fuel provider fleets
covered under EPAct\'s Alternative Fuel Transportation Program to apply
for waivers from their AFV acquisition requirements. The waivers let
fleets reduce petroleum consumption in lieu of acquiring AFVs by using
methods such as energy-efficient technologies or fuel blends. For more
information, read the Final Rule at
[www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/pdfs/alt_compliance_rule.pdf](http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/pdfs/alt_compliance_rule.pdf).

**In early March, California\'s South Coast Air Quality Management
District announced a \$2.6 million contract to fund a plug-in hybrid
conversion project.** Quantum Technologies will convert 20 Ford Escape
hybrids to plug-ins, while Hymotion will convert 10 Toyota Prius hybrids
into plug-in vehicles. See
[www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/ddown.cgi?afdc/WHATS_NEW/677/1/0](http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/ddown.cgi?afdc/WHATS_NEW/677/1/0)
to learn more.

**Las Vegas took top honors among U.S. cities for operating 63% of its
city vehicles on alternative fuels**, according to a Fleet & Fuels
survey published in mid March. Runner-ups include Honolulu (51%) and
Kansas City (45%), followed by Albuquerque (42%), Dallas (39%) and
Denver (31%). Vehicles using B20 biodiesel (450) are the largest
alternative fuel component of the Las Vegas fleet. In addition, the
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada is buying 50
hybrid electric "StreetCar" vehicles that will also run on biodiesel.
For more information, read
[www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/ddown.cgi?afdc/WHATS_NEW/692/1/0](http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/ddown.cgi?afdc/WHATS_NEW/692/1/0).

**March 19 marked the debut of the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line, a
midsize sedan hybrid.** GM is promoting the vehicle as the lowest-priced
hybrid on the market, with a manufacturer\'s suggested retail price of
\$22,695. It also qualifies for a tax credit of \$1,300. The hybrid's 28
mpg city and 35 mpg highway ratings are 30% higher than those of the
non-hybrid Aura XE. For details, see
[www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/ddown.cgi?afdc/WHATS_NEW/695/1/0](http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/ddown.cgi?afdc/WHATS_NEW/695/1/0).

**On March 20, cell-phone company Verizon started testing 13 GM
conventional vans converted into hybrids.** Enova Systems fitted the
vans with 90-kilowatt drives and nickel metal hydride batteries supplied
by Cobasys. Visit
[www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/ddown.cgi?afdc/WHATS_NEW/691/1/0](http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/ddown.cgi?afdc/WHATS_NEW/691/1/0)
for more information.

**In late March, DOE announced five industry-led projects for
development of highly efficient fermentative organisms to convert
cellulosic biomass material to ethanol.** The projects total up to \$23
million in federal funding over the next four years for as much as \$37
million including industry share. Projects led by Cargill Inc., Celunol
Corporation, E.I. Dupont de Nemours & Co., Mascoma Corp., and Purdue
University will receive between \$3.7 million and \$5.3 million each.
The projects each address different potential feedstocks. For details,
see [www.energy.gov/news/4896.htm](http://www.energy.gov/news/4896.htm).

**On March 21, Cummins Inc. formally approved B20 use for several of its
major engine models.** The engines approved for B20 are used to power a
wide range of vehicles (including medium- and heavy-duty trucks, motor
homes, school buses, fire and emergency vehicles, and urban buses and
shuttles). According the National Biodiesel Board, gaining engine
manufacturer warranty coverage of biodiesel use is important for
expanding use of biodiesel. For more information, read the press
releases at <http://nbb.grassroots.com/07Releases/cummins> and
[www.everytime.cummins.com/every/customer/faq_biodiesel.jsp](http://www.everytime.cummins.com/every/customer/faq_biodiesel.jsp).

**The Pima Association of Governments\' Regional Council (Tucson,
Arizona) adopted a resolution to endorse a National Plug-In Hybrid
Electric Vehicle Campaign**. The campaign is being conducted by Plug-In
Partners, a national grassroots initiative created to demonstrate to
automakers that a market for flexible fuel plug-in hybrid electric
vehicles exists. For more information, visit
[www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/ddown.cgi?afdc/WHATS_NEW/675/1/0](http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/ddown.cgi?afdc/WHATS_NEW/675/1/0)
and [www.pluginpartners.org](http://www.pluginpartners.org/).

######## 

######## Publications

**Flexible Fuel Vehicles: Powered by an American Fuel:** Clean Cities\'
updated two-page fact sheet offers a general overview of FFVs and
E85---the fuel that powers them. Its question-and-answer format makes it
an easy-to-understand handout for readers unfamiliar with E85-compatible
vehicles. Read it at
[www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/41131.pdf](http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/41131.pdf).

**What is Clean Cities?:** This four-page fact sheet is updated
quarterly and provides an overview of the Clean Cities initiative. The
document describes Clean Cities\' mission, stakeholders, and portfolio
of technologies. It also provides a current list of coalitions and
coordinator contact information. Check it out at
[www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/pdfs/41126.pdf](http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/pdfs/41126.pdf).

**Alternative Fuel Price Report:** This quarterly newsletter is designed
to keep the coalitions and stakeholders current on the price of
alternative fuels in the United States in relation to gasoline and
diesel prices. Download it at
[www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/resources/pricereport/price_report.html](http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/resources/pricereport/price_report.html).

**Survey of E85 Fuel Dispensing Operations in the U.S.**: This UL report
is largely based on visual inspections and discussions with station
owners of a number of E85 fueling stations during January and February
2007. The survey found no significant safety or maintenance problems and
little difference in equipment used or its degradation between E85
dispensers and gasoline dispensers. For details, go to
[www.ul.com/regulators/e85us_survey.pdf](http://www.ul.com/regulators/e85us_survey.pdf)

#### Events EPA's sixteenth Emissions Inventory Innovations Conference will be held May 14-17, 2007, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The conference will emphasize ideas for integrating emission inventory data across pollutant and source categories and analyzing and communicating the data. For more information, visit [**www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/conferences.html**](http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/conferences.html). 

Mark your calendar for **FedFleet 2007**, July 24 -26, 2007, in Orlando,
Florida. This three-day event focuses on challenges federal, state, and
local fleet managers face everyday. For more information, visit
[www.fedfleet.org](http://www.fedfleet.org/).

**Web Sites\
****The AFDC in late March launched the new Technology Bulletin section
on its Web site.** Technology Bulletins provides timely information on
pressing Clean Cities-related topics. The first bulletin, now available
online, details Underwriters Laboratories\' delisting of E85 fuel pump
components and efforts underway to remedy the situation. Visit
[www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/resources/technology_bulletin.html](http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/resources/technology_bulletin.html).

**Mofilms has posted on its Web site** **\"Freedom Fuels,\" a
documentary about renewable fuels, to download for free.** Shown at the
Sundance Film Festival and featuring celebrities such as Daryl Hannah
and Willie Nelson, the film was downloaded 15,000 times in a two week
period since being posted. To see the film, visit
[www.freedomfuels.info](http://www.freedomfuels.info/).