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For Release: Immediate, October 4, 2007
Contact: Colleen Ryan, NYSERDA
cqr@nyserda.org
518-862-1090, ext 3331
State-City Award Funds to Fleet Operators
$2.8 million to fund Alternative Fuel Vehicle projects
throughout New York City
Albany, NY--The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) announced today that 6 companies were awarded $2.8 million to introduce compressed natural gas (CNG), electric, and hybrid-electric vehicles to their fleets. The funding is being awarded through the New York City Private Fleet Alternative Fuel/Electric Vehicle Program, which is designed to assist private and not-for-profit fleets operating in New York City to purchase new vehicles or repower vehicles with alternative fuels or advanced technologies that improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
Paul D. Tonko, President and CEO of NYSERDA, said, “Every day, thousands of trucks owned and operated by private fleets in the New York Metropolitan area make deliveries of goods and services on which we as consumers rely. While necessary, these fleets increase our need for more imported oil and release harmful emissions into the air. These critical issues are being addressed due to the progressive economic and environmental investments these operators are making today. The people of New York City and New York State will benefit from the long-term emissions reductions and greater utilization and access to the alternative fuel market, which is part of Governor Spitzer’s comprehensive energy strategy to reduce our carbon footprint and clean the air we breathe.”
The New York City Private Fleet Alternative Fuel/Electric Vehicle Program is a State and local partnership between NYSERDA and the NYC DOT. The program uses Federal Department of Transportation Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds distributed through NYSERDA to address air quality improvement strategies in the transportation sector. Additional goals are to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and dependence on imported petroleum.
“Our goal is nothing short of achieving the cleanest air of any big American city," said Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. "There is no one silver bullet that will get us all the way there, but through many steps to improve mass transit and introduce the best vehicle technologies, we will meet that goal. Today’s awards will help private industry introduce clean technology to their New York City truck fleets which is an important step towards cleaner air.”
Projects that were awarded funds include:
UPS was awarded $746,888 to purchase ten (10) electric delivery vehicles for use in the Manhattan South delivery area. Powered by batteries, these vehicles produce zero emissions.
Clean Energy Fuels Corporation was awarded $1,185,136 to purchase twelve (12) natural gas recycling collection vehicles for Metropolitan Paper and to construct a new CNG fueling facility in Brooklyn. The CNG station will be publicly accessible for vehicles capable of operating on this alternative fuel.
Marjam Supply Company, Inc, located in Brooklyn, was awarded $236,325 to re-power 2 new diesel powered medium-duty trucks with CNG engines, and to purchase 2 new Freightliner CNG trucks and 3 Honda Civic GX sedans.
KeySpan Corporation, Brooklyn and Queens Divisions, was awarded $390,240 to re-power six new diesel powered medium-duty trucks to operate on CNG.
Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc, was awarded $124,237 to purchase five International Eaton hybrid-electric delivery trucks that operate out of their Bronx depot and service the five boroughs.
Down East Seafood, Inc., located in the Bronx, was awarded $135,427 to purchase an electric vehicle operating out of the Hunt’s Point Terminal Market to deliver seafood throughout the five boroughs. This vehicle will produce zero emissions.
These forty-one new clean fuel vehicles will displace over 2.4 million gallons of petroleum over their lifetimes as compared to conventional vehicles. Harmful pollution that would have been released in New York will be reduced by 300 tons of Oxides of Nitrogen, 360 tons of Carbon Monoxide, 25 tons of Hydrocarbons, and 2.2 tons of Particulate Matter over the lifetime of the vehicles.
Funds are awarded based on a competitive process which takes into account the relative environmental, energy, and economic benefits of the projects. NYSERDA anticipates future rounds of the Program will be conducted annually.
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