April 19, 2019

Despite state budget language that remains in place and could cripple the program, the State Air Pollution Control Board approved a new carbon rule Friday that links Virginia to a network of carbon-trading states.

“We have full authority to move forward at this point,” said David Paylor, director of the Department of Environmental Quality. “The governor is considering all options.”

Gov. Ralph Northam has until May 3 to veto ...

By Justin Jouvenal
April 18

The heist began with a thief backing up a large, white box truck behind a Fairfax County mall around 3:30 a.m. one day in early April, according to a search warrant. The man was not looking for cash or electronics, but something stranger: used cooking grease.

He siphoned about 150 gallons of the stinking, viscous liquid from a dumpster behind a Burger King, before a police officer patrolling Annandale Shopping Center arrested him, according to the search ...

Natural Gas Vehicles for America (NGVAmerica) and the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition) on April 16th announced that 32 percent of all on-road fuel used in natural gas vehicles in calendar year 2018 was renewable natural gas (RNG).

Captured above ground from organic material in agricultural, wastewater, landfill or food waste, RNG – or biomethane – produces net carbon-neutral and even net carbon-negative results when fueling on-road vehicles like short- and long-haul trucks, transit buses, and refuse and recycling ...

By: Todd Mouw, President

California’s drive toward carbon neutrality is a hot button topic in the state. Last fall, former Governor Jerry Brown unveiled an ambitious climate goal to put California on the path to be carbon neutral, including transportation. The Executive Order lists one specific way is by “Supporting clean transportation to reduce petroleum use 45 percent by 2030.”

Propane autogas is a “shovel ready” solution. Now available in all states, it answers both the economic and environmental sustainability goals ...

Levels of ozone pollution drop, spurring new classification for Northern Virginia

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Monday April 15th that Metropolitan Washington, D.C., which includes numerous jurisdictions in Northern Virginia, has formally attained the 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone. The announcement included Virginia’s plan for maintaining compliance with the standard. Approval represents an important milestone for Virginia and recognition that air quality throughout the commonwealth meets the federal health-based standard.

This redesignation achievement is the result of ...

April 8th, 2019 – Swannanoa, NC – Attendees of the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) Southeastern Convention, April 13th – 15th in Atlanta, GA, can visit booth #122 in the Autogas Pavilion to experience a wide variety of products that Alliance AutoGas has to offer propane industry fleets interested in converting their vehicles to use their own fuel.

There will be two autogas vehicles in the booth: a 2019 Ford F150 and a 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500. ...

U.S. Department of Energy has released some funding.  Virginia Clean Cities at JMU is preparing proposals for letter of interest submission at the end of the month and I would like to discuss this with you if you have interest in any of these areas:

These opportunities are for several areas:

1. Alternative Fuel Proof of Concept in New Communities
2. Innovative Alternative Fuel or Efficiency Approaches
3. Electric Vehicle Data Collection
4. Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Infrastructure for Resiliency and Emergency Preparedness

If you have ideas – send them ...

Virginia Clean Cites Stakeholders met in Richmond on April 4th for the 4th annual Rally event.  The event began with afternoon vehicle demonstrations in front of Main Street Station showcasing a range of technologies from electric task oriented vehicles, a 100% biodiesel truck, to propane School buses and SUVs and natural gas recycling truck as well as a selection of electric passenger vehicles including Nissan showcasing their updated new manufacturer discount of $3500 for the Nissan Leaf and smaller discount ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Department of Energy Under Secretary of Energy Mark W. Menezes announced up to $59 million for new and innovative advanced vehicle technologies research.  Funded through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, this funding opportunity seeks projects to address priorities in advanced batteries and electric drive systems, energy efficient mobility systems, materials for more efficient powertrains, co-optimized advanced engine and fuel technologies, and alternative fuels and new mobility options.

“Every day, American consumers and businesses rely ...