[Missouri-l] [leadership] urgent need for quiet car advocacy!

[peter altschul]

---- Original Message ------
From: Ken Stewart <cclvi at yahoo.com
Subject: [leadership] urgent need for quiet car advocacy!
Date sent: Tue, 8 Sep 2009 10:27:17 -0700 (PDT)

The very long and detailed press release below announces the 
accquisition of federal funds to subsidize the purchase of more 
than 300 environmentally-friendly vehicles by New York State and 
local governments, school districts, a public utility, and 
private companies, some of which are slated to be 
hybrid-electric, plug-in electric or neighborhood electric 
vehicles.  I believe it is imperative that we urge all these 
purchasers to include a requirement for an audible feature in 
their "specs" for these three categories of vehicles.  My 
understanding is that the liquid prpane and compressed nitrogen 
vehicles do not present the silent-operation problem.  I also 
hope our National Office can immediately object to federal 
funding going toward the purchase of these vehicles unless they 
are fitted with an audible feature.  I have discussed with the 
local school district, the danger to pedestrians and bicyclists 
which will be presented by the hybrid-electric bus
 just acquired by the school district here in Warwick.  I also 
obtained from them contact information for the vendor.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 31, 2009
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

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.

“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.”
If you are not the intended addressee, please inform us 
immediately that you have received this e-mail in error, and 
delete it.  We thank you for your cooperation.
 










Sascha Simon


sascha.simon at sharksavers.org

**********************************
 






--
Join the Monthly Monetary Support program (MMS) and help improve
tomorrow today in ACB.
For details, contact Dr.  Ron Milliman, MMS Program Committee 
Chair, by e-mail:
rmilliman at insightbb.com or by phone at 270-782-9325 and get 
started making tomorrow look brighter today in ACB!