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Environmental and Health Issues and Recommendations  Air Quality:
Motor vehicles are California's leading source of air pollution. [1]
- Drive less or use cleaner vehicles to achieve our health-based air quality goals.
 Global Warming / Climate Change:
In California, transportation is the source of more than half of the carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) emissions from fossil fuels. [2]
- Drive less and use fuel-efficient vehicles that emit lower levels of greenhouse gases.
 Conserves Energy:
"Roughly half of all the energy used in California is used by the transportation sector. We use more than 16.5 billion gallons of gasoline a year. That's enough to drive a car, getting 30 mpg, three round trips to the sun." [3]
- Drive less and use fuel-efficient vehicles to save energy.
 Prevents Waste:
Using rebuilt parts can reduce financial costs and conserve resources. [4]
 Less Hazardous:
Less toxic materials can be used to produce and maintain vehicles.
- During vehicle maintenance, request less hazardous replacement components, such as lead-free wheel weights.
 End-of-Life Management:
Vehicular components and maintenance products should be managed in accordance with state laws and regulations.
See the Introduction for complete descriptions of these environmental and health issues.
BACKGROUND AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH ISSUES
Smart transportation and vehicle maintenance decisions can reduce air pollution, combat climate change, save energy and natural resources, prevent waste, and keep hazardous waste out of the environment. Heavy-duty vehicles and light-duty vehicles share many environmental and health issues. See the Background and Environmental Health Issues heading in the Light-Duty Vehicles section for a detailed description of these issues.
Examples of heavy-duty vehicles include heavy-duty trucks, transit buses, street sweepers, and school buses. [5] According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, reducing emissions from diesel engines "is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country" [6] and the "majority of heavy-duty vehicles on our nation's highways today are powered by diesel fuel." [7] This presents enormous opportunities for cleaner-burning diesel substitutes (e.g., biodiesel and Fischer-Tropsch diesel) and for vehicles that run on other cleaner-burning fuels (e.g., natural gas).
LAWS AND GUIDELINES
Some of the laws and guidelines that apply to light-duty vehicles apply to heavy-duty vehicles. See the Laws, Regulations, and Policies heading in the Light-Duty Vehicles section.
Federal
Final Rule: Control of Emissions of Air Pollution from New Motor Vehicles: In-Use Testing for Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines and Vehicles (Federal Register, Volume 70, Number 113, June 14, 2005, Rules and Regulations, pages 34593-34626)
The United States Environmental Protection Agency established "a manufacturer-run, in-use emissions testing program for 2007 and later model year heavy-duty diesel vehicles. The ground-breaking in-use test program will require engine manufacturers to measure exhaust emissions from their diesel engines using portable emissions measurement systems. Also for the first time, all manufacturers will be regularly providing EPA with a significant quantity of emissions data generated from engines used in regular service, which EPA will evaluate to ensure the engines comply with specified emissions requirements. The rule is a result of an agreement between EPA and the Engine Manufacturers Association. This rule advances EPA's clean diesel activities by helping to ensure that the benefits of more stringent emission standards are realized under real-world driving conditions … This final rule is effective August 15, 2005." [8]
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS
What is Compressed Natural Gas?
Compressed natural gas, or CNG, is a mixture of hydrocarbons, mainly methane. Found in gas wells or produced in conjunction with crude oil, natural gas is a clean-burning, domestically produced fuel that generates significantly fewer emissions than conventional gasoline or diesel when used to power vehicles. Although vehicles can use natural gas as either a liquid or a gas, most vehicles use the gaseous form. Compressed at pressures of 3,000 pounds to 3,600 pounds per square inch, the natural gas is stored on-board a vehicle in specially designed and constructed cylinders. Vehicles that run on CNG have engines and fuel systems that are optimized for gaseous fuel use.
CNG remains clear, odorless, and non-corrosive. Natural gas is one of the cleanest burning alternative fuels available and offers a number of advantages over gasoline. For heavy-duty and medium-duty applications, natural gas engines have demonstrated more than 90 percent reduction of carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter and more than 50 percent reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) relative to commercial diesel engines.
Sources
- California Energy Commission. Compressed Natural Gas as a Transportation Fuel. Publication No. CEC-600-2005-013-FS. August 2005 (PDF, 146 KB).
- United States Department of Energy. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center. Natural Gas Web page.
- United States Department of Energy. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center. Natural Gas Benefits Web page.
Performance
CNG vehicles provide horsepower, acceleration, and a cruising speed similar to gasoline vehicles. However, natural gas trucks, like many other alternative fueled vehicles, typically have a shorter driving range than their diesel counterparts. This shorter range is a result of natural gas having a lower energy density and difficulty in packaging the high-pressure storage cylinders on the truck. Adding additional storage cylinders can increase the truck's driving range, but the added weight will reduce the amount of weight the vehicle can carry.
Sources
Availability
With the consumption of CNG increasing nationwide 145 percent during the past six years, the fueling infrastructure for natural gas vehicles continues to grow. California has more than 200 CNG fueling stations. In Southern California alone, there are more than 100 public fueling stations in major metropolitan areas from Los Angeles to the Mexican border. Another 50 stations are now under construction.
To locate commercial CNG stations, please visit the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition's Web site.
Source
- California Energy Commission. Compressed Natural Gas as a Transportation Fuel. Publication No. CEC-600-2005-013-FS. August 2005 (PDF, 146 KB).
Cost
Today's prices of CNG are generally less than gasoline or diesel fuel, on an equivalent energy basis, even when the CNG compressor station costs are considered. Although CNG is exempt from federal excise tax, it is subject to a federal energy tax of $0.0485 per 100 standard cubic feet (scf), which is approximately $0.056 per gasoline gallon equivalent. State taxes on CNG vary considerably.
In California, CNG is taxed at approximately $0.07 per gasoline gallon equivalent, compared to $0.18 per gallon for gasoline. Even though CNG fuel is comparatively less, the cost of the light-and heavy-duty vehicles is substantially more than their gasoline and diesel counterparts. Only in a minimal number of high-mileage fleet vehicle applications are the fuel cost savings adequate to amortize the CNG vehicle capital costs.
Source
Vendors
CNG trucks are currently available from several manufacturers. The United States Department of Energy maintains a Vehicle search page by model year of heavy-duty alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) and advanced technology vehicle (ATV) manufacturers. ("Advanced technology vehicles (ATVs) include hybrid electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, neighborhood electric vehicles, and electric bikes." [9])
HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES
What are hybrid electric vehicles?
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs aka "hybrids") are vehicles that use two sources of motive energy, electrical and mechanical, to propel the vehicles. As their name implies, the vehicles combine the efficiency of electrical drive systems with the longer driving range gained from liquid or gaseous fuels. An HEV typically has an electrical storage device such as a battery, flywheel, or ultracapacitor in combination with a mechanical device such as an internal combustion engine, gas turbine, or fuel cell.
The two different HEV configurations are series and parallel hybrids. In a series configuration, the internal combustion engine, turbine, or fuel cell is used to generate electricity to charge the batteries, flywheel, or ultracapacitor. The drivetrain is powered solely from the motor connected to the electrical storage device. The benefits of a series configuration are reduced engine power cycling because the engine never idles; a transmission may not be needed; and more options are available for mounting the engine and vehicle components.
In a parallel configuration, the drive system can be powered simultaneously by the motor or by the mechanical device. In this configuration, both the electric motor and mechanical device can provide power to the drivetrain during acceleration, hill climbing, or passing. Once the vehicle reaches cruising speed, the vehicle just relies on the mechanical device to maintain speed. A parallel configuration could be set up to use an engine for highway driving and the power from the electric motor for accelerating. Some benefits of the parallel configuration are that the vehicle has more power since both the engine and the motor can supply power simultaneously; a generator isn't needed; and it can be more efficient since power is directly coupled to the road, which reduces energy conversion losses.
Source
Performance
HEVs have several advantages over traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
- The addition of liquid or gaseous fuels provides greater driving range than what could be obtained from just batteries alone. Coupled with higher fuel efficiency, a hybrid with an ICE can drive even farther than today's internal combustion engine vehicles before refueling.
- HEVs use regenerative braking to recapture braking energy. An HEV's electric motor can provide some braking power and act as a generator, producing electricity that can be stored in batteries or ultracapacitors. This power can be used to power the wheels and displace engine operation so less fuel is used and there are fewer emissions.
- HEVs have the potential to operate in "electric only" mode. In this mode, the vehicle can operate with no emissions, which is optimal in congested areas and in areas where emissions are not tolerated.
- The engine can be optimized to operate within a specific speed range where fuel economy is greatest and emissions are least.
- If an internal combustion engine is used, the engine can be smaller because it shares the workload with the electrical motor. This provides weight reductions that can result in greater fuel economy.
- The motor/battery can help power the vehicle and the engine can be turned off during nonuse times, such as at stops or coasting. This helps the engine to have a smoother operation, which decreases power spikes that can cause the engine to use more fuel and produce more pollution.
- An HEV engine can power electric components, which is more efficient than the mechanical counterparts normally used. An example of this would be using the electric motor instead of hydraulic power for steering.
Sources
Availability
An HEV can be used anywhere that fuel can be obtained for the mechanical device (such as an internal combustion engine). Unlike electric vehicles, the batteries or ultracapacitors on a hybrid vehicle are charged with the mechanical device and regenerative braking so there is no need to plug the vehicle into a charging station. Several models of HEV buses are available through the U.S. DOE's vehicle search page.
Cost
Hybrid vehicles cost more than traditional gasoline or diesel vehicles. Theoretically the additional cost of the vehicle may be offset with reduced fuel costs. However, additional maintenance costs such as replacement of the batteries must be taken into consideration. Combined with the limited availability, heavy-duty hybrid trucks are currently not the most economical choice.
Vendors
Several manufacturers are developing hybrid trucks, but there are very few that are currently available. The United States Department of Energy maintains a vehicle search page of heavy-duty alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) and advanced technology vehicle (ATV) manufacturers.
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS
What is liquefied petroleum Gas?
Motor fuel propane, otherwise known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), is produced as part of natural gas processing and crude oil refining. In natural gas processing, the heavier hydrocarbons that naturally accompany natural gas, such as LPG, butane, ethane, and pentane, are removed prior to the natural gas entering the pipeline distribution system. In crude oil refining, LPG is the first product that results at the start of the refining process, and is therefore always produced when crude oil is refined.
Propane is a gas that can be turned into a liquid at a moderate pressure, 160 pounds per square inch (psi), and is stored in pressure tanks at about 200 psi at 100 degrees Fahrenheit. When propane is drawn from a tank, it changes to a gas before it is burned in the engine. Propane has been used as a transportation fuel since 1912, and is the third most commonly used fuel in the United States, behind gasoline and diesel. More than four million vehicles fueled by propane are in use around the world in light, medium, and heavy-duty applications. Propane holds approximately 86 percent of the energy of gasoline and so requires more storage volume to drive a range equivalent to gasoline, but it is price competitive on a cents-per-mile-driven basis.
Propane is a low-emission, economic, and easily used fuel that can play an important role as an alternative fuel for our state and the nation.
Source
- California Energy Commission. Propane as a Transportation Fuel. Publication No. CEC-600-2005-015-FS. August 2005 (PDF, 111 KB).
Performance
LPG vehicles provide power, acceleration, and a cruising speed similar to gasoline vehicles. However, propane trucks, like many other alternative fueled vehicles, typically have a shorter driving range than their diesel counterparts. This shorter range is a result of propane having a lower energy density and difficulty in packaging the high-pressure storage cylinders on the truck. Adding additional storage tanks can increase the truck driving range, but the added weight will reduce the amount of weight the vehicle can carry.
Source
- United States Department of Energy. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center. Propane Vehicles Web pages.
Availability
Approximately 1,200 facilities in California dispense propane. Nearly all of these facilities are used primarily to fuel residential and commercial applications such as heaters, recreational vehicles, and barbecues. About half of all these facilities are capable of providing propane as a motor fuel, though only about three percent of all the fuel dispensed is used for transportation applications. Since 2000, the California state fleet has purchased, and is now operating in daily use, nearly 1,600 bi-fuel propane Ford F-150 pickup trucks. The potential use of propane in those vehicles constitutes the largest petroleum displacement for the state fleet; it could displace approximately 4.4 percent of the total fleet fuel use, if these vehicles were exclusively operated on propane.
Accordingly, the California Energy Commission and the United States Department of Energy have provided funding to establish 25 motor fuel propane stations across the state. These stations are situated for convenient use by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Department of Water Resources vehicular fleets, and for use by the public. The stations are unique from other propane filling stations. They have dispensers on the fueling island at a gasoline station, use fleet fueling cards or credit cards, and offer fuel that is priced competitively with gasoline or diesel on a fuel equivalency basis.
To locate commercial LPG stations, please search the United States Department of Energy's Alternative Fueling Station Locator.
Source
- California Energy Commission. Propane as a Transportation Fuel. Publication No. CEC-600-2005-015-FS. August 2005. (PDF, 111 KB)
Cost
The initial cost of an LPG vehicle is significantly more than a gasoline vehicle. However, low maintenance costs, fuel savings, and lower emissions are some of the benefits of LPG trucks. The cost of converting a conventional heavy-duty gasoline fueled truck to LPG can be partially offset by incentives offered under the federal Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct). Many states and local governments also offer incentives for use of LPG vehicles.
Source
Vendors
The majority of LPG vehicles are the result of upfitting gasoline vehicles to use propane, either exclusively or in a bi-fuel configuration. Converting diesel engines to LPG operation is also possible, but not economically practical.
The United States Department of Energy maintains a comprehensive list of manufacturers of LPG-fueled heavy-duty vehicles.
BIODIESEL
What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.
How is biodiesel made?
Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two products -- methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable byproduct usually sold to be used in soaps and other products).
- Look for biodiesel that is made from used material, such as used cooking oil.
Source
Performance
Successful alternative fuels help fulfill environmental and energy security needs without sacrificing operating performance. Operationally, biodiesel blends perform very similar to low sulfur diesel in terms of power, torque, and fuel without major modification of engines or infrastructure.
Biodiesel offers similar power to diesel fuel.
One of the major advantages of biodiesel is the fact that it can be used in existing engines and fuel injection equipment with little impact to operating performance. Biodiesel has a higher cetane number than most United States diesel fuel. In more than 50 million on-road miles and countless marine and off-road applications, biodiesel shows similar fuel consumption, horsepower, torque, and haulage rates as conventional diesel fuel.
Biodiesel provides significant lubricity improvement over petroleum diesel fuel.
Lubricity results of biodiesel and petroleum diesel using industry test methods indicate that there is a marked improvement in lubricity when biodiesel is added to conventional diesel fuel. Even biodiesel levels as low as one percent can provide up to a 65 percent increase in lubricity in distillate fuels.
Compatibility of biodiesel with engine components
The switch to low sulfur diesel fuel has caused most original equipment manufacturers (OEM) to switch to components suitable for use with biodiesel, but users should contact their OEM for specific information. In general, pure biodiesel will soften and degrade certain types of elastomers and natural rubber compounds over time. Using high percent blends can impact fuel system components (primarily fuel hoses and fuel pump seals) that contain elastomer compounds incompatible with biodiesel. Manufacturers recommend that natural or butyl rubbers not be allowed to come in contact with pure biodiesel. Blends of B20 (a B20 blend is 20 percent by volume biodiesel and 80 percent by volume petrodiesel [10]) or lower have not exhibited elastomer degradation and need no changes. If a fuel system does contain these materials and users wish to fuel with blends over B20, replacement with compatible elastomers is recommended.
Biodiesel in cold weather
Cold weather can cloud and even gel any diesel fuel, including biodiesel. Users of a 20 percent biodiesel blend with #2 diesel will usually experience an increase of the cold flow properties (cold filter plugging point, cloud point, pour point) approximately 2 degrees to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Precautions employed for petroleum diesel are needed for fueling with 20 percent blends. Neat (100 percent) biodiesel will gel faster than petrodiesel in cold weather operations. Solutions for winter operability with neat biodiesel are much the same as that for low-sulfur #2 diesel (i.e., blending with #1 diesel, utilization of fuel heaters, and storage of the vehicle in or near a building). These same solutions work well with biodiesel blends, as does the use of cold flow improvement additives.
Source
Availability
Biodiesel is available across the country, specifically in the Midwest in Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, Missouri, etc. Although the highest availability is in the Midwest, biodiesel is available in California. Most of the biodiesel distributors and retailers are located along the coast from San Diego to Shasta.
Purchase biodiesel from producers directly.
This is the most likely method of purchase for fuel distributors and bulk B100 (100 percent biodiesel [11]) purchasers of biodiesel. Some individual consumers may also buy biodiesel directly from producers by the drum. Although biodiesel producers are located throughout the country, proximity is not necessarily an issue. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) recommends interested buyers get bids from several member companies.
A list (PDF, 58 KB) of NBB member producers and marketers is available on-line.
Buy from a petroleum distributor.
This is the most common way for farmers and centrally-fueled fleets to get biodiesel. There are more than 1,400 petroleum distributors carrying biodiesel and biodiesel blends nationwide, including some large companies. Most biodiesel distributors will deliver the biodiesel in pure form or already blended according to the customer's preference. Ask your distributor to carry biodiesel, and if your request is not granted, then change to a distributor who will. Once they realize demand is out there and that biodiesel is a valuable addition to their product lines, most distributors will make it available.
Visit the National Biodiesel Board's Web site for a national map and list of biodiesel distributors.
Purchase biodiesel from the pump.
There are hundreds of retail stations that now make biodiesel blends available to the public both at gas stations and fuel docks. More are coming on line all the time, increasing availability across the nation.
Visit the National Biodiesel Board's Web site for a national map and list of biodiesel retailers.
Cost
The prices of biodiesel blends B2-B5 (2 - 5 percent biodiesel in diesel fuel) and B20 (20 percent biodiesel/80 percent diesel) are comparable to diesel fuel, while B100/B99 blends (100 or 99 percent biodiesel) cost more than diesel. The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is working with the biodiesel industry to reduce the cost of biodiesel. Check recent reports by the DOE for current information.
Sources
For more information regarding production costs, capacity, and government incentives, see the article titled Biodiesel Performance, Costs, and Use that is available from the federal Energy Information Administration.
Vendors
There are many different vendors and distributors all throughout California that stock a variety of different mixtures of biodiesel. Visit the NBB's Web site for lists of:
There are two types of biodiesel suppliers -- distributors and retailers. While retailers generally do not deliver, the distributors will deliver large amounts. Distributors will deliver or fill large quantities of fuel in pure form (B100) or other common mixtures, while retailers have drive up pump stations that also have several different common mixtures.
FISCHER-TROPSCH DIESEL
What is the Fischer-Tropsch process?
The Fischer-Tropsch process is a catalyzed chemical reaction in which carbon monoxide and hydrogen are converted into liquid hydrocarbons of various forms. Typical catalysts used are based on iron and cobalt. The principal purpose of this process is to produce a synthetic petroleum substitute.
How is Fischer-Tropsch diesel made?
Fischer-Tropsch diesel is made by taking products such as coal, natural gas, and low-value refinery products and applying the Fischer-Tropsch process in order to make liquid diesel fuels.
Sources
- Wikipedia. Fischer-Tropsch process.
- United States Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Transportation and Air Quality. Transportation and Regional Programs Division. Clean Alternative Fuels: Fischer-Tropsch, fact sheet number EPA420-F-00-036. March 2002. (www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fuels/altfuels/420f00036.pdf, offline)
Performance
Fischer-Tropsch diesel is not widely used or tested; however, according to a United States Environmental Protection Agency fact sheet, Fischer-Tropsch fuel has a higher cetane number than traditional diesel, is low-sulfur, and "is colorless, odorless, and low in toxicity. In addition, it is virtually interchangeable with conventional diesel fuels and can be blended with diesel at any ratio with little to no modification. Fischer-Tropsch fuels offer important emissions benefits compared with diesel, reducing nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter." [12]
Availability
Fischer-Tropsch diesel is not widely used in North America. There are three major factories worldwide: two in South Africa and one in Malaysia. These are the three major factories that produce and export large amounts of Fischer-Tropsch diesel worldwide. Plans for supplying California with competitively priced Fischer-Tropsch diesel have been presented by the California Energy Commission and the California Air Resources Board (PDF, 358 KB).
Cost
The prices of this form of diesel are not yet specifically determined; although, the main source of Fischer-Tropsch diesel, coal, has been very stable and slightly declining in price over the past 15 years to 20 years.
Source
Vendors
The following agencies may be able to assist with locating Fischer-Tropsch diesel vendors:
AFTER TREATMENT
What are after treatment units?
These units treat the exhaust gases coming from diesel and gasoline engines. Through a series of gas neutralization and collection of harmful toxins, after treatment units eliminate many, if not all, of the harmful elements coming from the exhaust.
These systems use the chemical reactions resulting from 12 different gas species, taking into consideration all kinetic aspects. Other processes in the after treatment system include a three-way catalytic converter, hydrocarbon (HC) trap, NOx trap, oxygen storage, diesel oxidation catalyst, and diesel particulate filter.
After treatment technologies are also referred to as "retrofitting." [13]
Performance
There are several different types of after treatment systems that accomplish the task of treating exhaust gases. Each system has its own costs and benefits and others are still in development.
- The following retrofit diesel emission reduction strategies are described on the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) National Clean Diesel Campaign, Clean Ports USA, Technologies Web page: diesel particulate filters, diesel oxidation catalysts, closed crankcase ventilation, selective catalytic reduction, lean NOx catalyst, exhaust gas recirculation, and idle reduction.
- Plasma Reactors
Plasma reactors provide an after treatment system that greatly reduces NOx emissions from diesel engines. This system uses a high voltage plasma reactor able to withstand the high temperatures of an exhaust unit of an automobile to eliminate the NOx particles produced by diesel engines.
More information is available on-line:
Availability
After treatment systems are widely available from a variety of different vendors.
Cost
Costs vary depending on function and specifications. Newer and more advanced models are more expensive but promise greater fuel efficiency with greater flow and less backpressure or greater neutralization results.
Vendors
The USEPA maintains a list of retrofit manufacturers that make products whose performance has been verified (verified retrofit technologies) through the USEPA Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program.
SPECIFICATIONS
California
The Procurement Engineering Team of the Procurement Division of the Department of General Services develops and reviews specifications for statewide commodity standards and information technology. If you have questions regarding developing specifications, or would like a copy of one of their specifications, please contact the team.
United States Department of Energy
Specifications are available for heavy-duty advanced technology vehicle models and heavy-duty hybrid electric vehicles through the U.S. DOE's vehicle search page.
STATE CONTRACT
Alternative Fueled/Flex Fueled Vehicles and Trucks, Contract #1-06-23-22. (To view the contract, click on "Contract Information.")
SUCCESS STORIES
United States Department of Energy Clean Cities Program
Visit the United States Department of Energy's Clean Cities program's accomplishments section that offers an inside look at how fleets use alternative fuel vehicles (AFV), deal with infrastructure issues, obtain funding, and more.
RESOURCES AND WEBSITES See also the resources listed under Background and Environmental and Health Issues in the Light-Duty Vehicles section, since the topics presented apply to all types of vehicles.
Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA)
Chantilly, VA
(703) 968-2772
The APRA is a non-profit trade association whose members rebuild/remanufacture automotive and truck related "hard" parts for passenger cars, trucks, off-road, marine, equipment and industrial uses.
California Air Resources Board (ARB)
Sacramento, CA
(800) 242-4450
The mission of the ARB is to promote and protect public health, welfare and ecological resources through the effective and efficient reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering the effects on the economy of the state. See the following on-line resources:
California Department of General Services (DGS)
Office of Fleet Administration (OFA)
Sacramento, CA
(916) 327-2086
The OFA provides transportation and commute-related services statewide, and is responsible for the establishment, implementation, and maintenance of policies and procedures governing state-owned mobile equipment. Transportation-related services provided include vehicle pools, repair facilities, vehicle inspection, employee parking, discount air fares, commercial car rentals, vehicle acquisition and disposition, and consultation regarding automotive management problems. See the Alternative Fuel Vehicles Program Web page.
California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)
The Department's mission is to restore, protect and enhance the environment, to ensure public health, environmental quality and economic vitality, by regulating hazardous waste, conducting and overseeing cleanups, and developing and promoting pollution prevention. More than 1,000 scientists, engineers and specialized support staff work in nine locations statewide. See the following resources:
California Energy Commission
Sacramento, CA
(916) 654-4287
The California Energy Commission is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency. See the Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs) and High-Efficiency Vehicles Web page.
Center for a New American Dream
Takoma Park, MD
(301) 891-3683 or 877-68-DREAM
The Center for a New American Dream helps Americans consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice. See the fact sheet titled Harnessing the Power of Advanced Fleet Vehicles: A Hybrid Electric Vehicle Fact Sheet for Government Officials (PDF, 450 KB).
Clean Car Campaign
Ann Arbor, MI
(734) 663-2400
Washington, DC
(202) 387-3500
The Clean Car Campaign is a national campaign coordinated by state, regional and national environmental organizations promoting a clean revolution in the motor vehicle industry. The Clean Car Standard was developed by the campaign as a practical, short-term performance-based standard achievable by automakers. The standard promotes increased fuel efficiency, reduced tailpipe emissions and clean production practices.
INFORM
New York, NY
(212) 361-2400
INFORM, Inc. is an independent research organization that examines the effects of business practices on the environment and on human health. See INFORM's Purchasing for Pollution Prevention: Vehicles Fact Sheet.
Minnesota Pollution Prevention Agency (MPCA)
St. Paul, MN
(651) 296-6300
The MPCA is a nonregulatory agency that works to improve our environment through partnerships, technology transfer, technical assistance, education, research, and matching grants. See the following resources:
Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (NEWMOA)
Boston, MA
(617) 367-8558
NEWMOA's mission is to develop and sustain an effective partnership of states to explore, develop, promote, and implement environmentally sound solutions for the reduction and management of materials and waste, and for the remediation of contaminated sites, in order to achieve a clean and healthy environment. See the automobile product category in NEWMOA's Mercury in Products Database.
United States Department of Energy
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Washington, DC
(877) EERE-INF (877-337-3463)
The EERE's mission is to strengthen America's energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality in public-private partnerships that enhance energy efficiency and productivity; bring clean, reliable and affordable energy technologies to the marketplace; and make a difference in the everyday lives of Americans by enhancing their energy choices and their quality of life. See the following on-line resources:
United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
Washington, DC
(202) 272-0167
The USEPA's mission is to protect human health and the environment. See the following resources:
[1] California Air Resources Board. Almanac Emission Projection Data (2006). For information regarding Almanac Emission Projection Data, visit the following Web site: http://www.arb.ca.gov/app/emsinv/emssumcat.php.
[2] Flex Your Power. Energy Efficiency Helps Combat Climate Change Web page. Available at http://www.fypower.com/feature/climate/. Accessed on June 5, 2006.
[3] California Energy Commission. Consumer Energy Center. Transportation Choices for Consumers Web page. Available at http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/transportation/index.html. Accessed on June 5, 2006.
[4] Los Cerritos News Web site. Remanufacturing: The Original Recycling. Available at http://www.loscerritos-news.com/index.php?pageId=tls&action=article&itemId=2997. Accessed on June 5, 2006.
[5] California Energy Commission. Compressed Natural Gas as a Transportation Fuel. Publication No. CEC-600-2005-013-FS. August 2005. Available at http://energy.ca.gov/2005publications/CEC-600-2005-013/CEC-600-2005-013-FS.PDF. Accessed on July 10, 2006.
[6] United States Environmental Protection Agency. National Clean Diesel Campaign Web page. Available at http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/. Accessed on July 10, 2006.
[7] United States Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Transportation and Air Quality. Transportation and Regional Programs Division. Clean Alternative Fuels: Fischer-Tropsch, fact sheet number EPA420-F-00-036, March 2002, http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fuels/altfuels/420f00036.pdf (offline). Accessed on June 2, 2006
[8] Federal Register, Volume 70, Number 113, June 14, 2005, Rules and Regulations, pages 34593-34626. Available on-line at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html. Accessed on August 2, 2006.
[9] United States Department of Energy. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Advanced Technology Vehicles Web page, http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/atv/tech/advanced_tech.html (offline). Accessed on June 2, 2006.
[10] Technical Recommendations for B20 Fleet Use Based on Existing Data, B20 Fleet Evaluation Team: June 2005. Available on the National Biodiesel Board's Web site at http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/guide/B20_Fleet_Recommendations.pdf. Accessed on June 1, 2006.
[11] National Biodiesel Board. Specification for Biodiesel (B100). Available at http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/BDSpec.PDF. Accessed on June 1, 2006.
[12] United States Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Transportation and Air Quality. Transportation and Regional Programs Division. Clean Alternative Fuels: Fischer-Tropsch, fact sheet number EPA420-F-00-036, March 2002, http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fuels/altfuels/420f00036.pdf (offline). Accessed on June 2, 2006.
[13] United States Environmental Protection Agency. National Clean Diesel Campaign, Clean Ports USA, Technologies Web page. Available at http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/ports/technologies.htm. Accessed on July 2, 2006.
Special Note: Portions of the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Best Practices Manual were borrowed or adapted from the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide published by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board of Minnesota.
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