May 21, 2007

The Philadelphia Diesel Difference - Working Group Meeting
Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC)
190 North Independence Mall West,
8th Floor,
Philadelphia, PA 19106

IN ATTENDANCE:
Emily Bockian Landsburg, Energy Cooperative & Philadelphia Fry-O-Diesel
Harry Boyd, Krapf Bus Co.
Francine Carlini, PADEP
Ed Carreras, Carreras Systems
Eric Cheung, Clean Air Council
Fred Cummings, City of Philadelphia Division of Aviation
Mike Detwiler, Great Valley School District
Thomas Hole, Ransome Caterpillar
Thomas Huynh, City of Philadelphia, Air Management Services
Sean Greene, DVRPC
Lisa MaGee, PRPA
Dan Snowden, PennDOT
Alison Tracy, City of Philadelphia, Air Management Services
Barbara Wilson, Krapf Bus

MINUTES TAKEN BY:
Alison Tracy

INTRODUCTIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Alison welcomed the group and announced that the Air Quality Partnership's Ozone Action Kickoff, coordinated by DVRPC, went very well. Sean elaborated that 3 cameras covered the event and 25 coupons for free E85 ethanol or B20 biodiesel were given out. NBC's meteorologist "Hurricane" Schwartz spoke at the event, and Eric and Alison presented Lower Merion School District with Platinum-Level recognition on behalf of PDD.

The Funding Forum held at the end of April by EPA Regions 1, 2 and 3 with MARAMA and NESCAUM was successful. Eric and Alison both participated on a panel discussing funding options and Eric gave a presentation on the NCDC Ports project. Presentations from this event are available on MARAMA's website.

The Mayor's Local Action Plan was unveiled during Earth Week, and the Mayor issued an Executive Order requiring use of alternative fuels and anti-idling policies in construction vehicles, and the reduction of fuel use by OFM. The Mayor spoke last week at a C40 Clinton Initiative event on Philly's success with alternative fuels (biodiesel, CNG, hybrids, etc.). Alison contributed to the presentation.

AMS is in search of candidates to nominate as possible members of the Air Pollution Control Board. Please contact Alison if you are aware of any individuals who might be interested.

Alison asked the group whether anyone had an objection to rescheduling the September meeting to September 10th, as she will be out the second half of the month.

A delegation from Sweden was in Philadelphia recently and they made a presentation describing their experiences in various air quality projects including congestion pricing and alternative fuels (e.g. methanol, ethanol, biodiesel, methane).

Temple University is initiating a retrofit project for 10 vehicles as part of a consent decree with the city. Details are forthcoming.

The Udall Foundation is sponsoring a biodiesel bus tour which is stopping in Philadelphia on June 13 to promote the fuel. AMS has been asked to participate in the event.

Realtime air quality information is now available on the City's website at http://www.phila.gov/health/units/ams/index.html.

PHILADELPHIA DIESEL DIFFERENCE ACTIVITIES UPDATE:
Because of the upcoming Clean School Bus USA grant which is expected to open soon, PDD is switching its focus to recruiting school districts.

The Clean Air 5K last month was successful and featured a Platinum recognition to Great Valley School District for their work in implementing clean diesel technology. Other recent events where PDD material was passed out included: Temple Ambler's Earth Fest, the City's Sustainability Fair and the Spruce Hill May Fair.

Eric noted that he has been in contact with a representative from a group called the Clean Air Task Force which is a nonprofit that seeks opportunities for implementing diesel retrofit projects. They are working with GASP, a group in Pittsburgh that is retrofitting fleet vehicles with particulate filters using grant money from the Heinz Foundation.

CAC, EPA, AMS and the University of Pennsylvania are working on a draft agenda for a diesel health effects symposium to be held in Fall or Spring. A one-pager on the event is being compiled to clarify the purpose of the event to prospective participants. Alison, Eric and Bill will soon be contacting individuals to invite them to participate on a Steering Committee for the event.

COMMITTEE UPDATES:
Again, Lower Merion and Great Valley School Districts have now received Platinum-level recognition. Next on the list is Packer terminal. Eric will attempt to complete this before the press conference to publicize the project. This was postponed after a snowstorm in February, and has yet to be rescheduled.

GRANT UPDATES:
The state of Pennsylvania's Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant is open until mid-June. It is also expected that EPA will open its Clean School Bus USA grant soon. SEPTA is applying for funds from the Department of Transportation for hybrid bus technology and has asked CAC for a letter of support.

ONE MINUTE UPDATES:
DVRPC will be deciding sometime in mid-June whether to make competitive CMAQ funds available for the coming fiscal year. Sean will keep PDD posted. The announcement would go out in July.

The Delaware River channel deepening project is moving forward. A $300 million bond will include funds for 2 electric gantry cranes. Eventually, diesel powered cranes will be phased out.

The state's Environmental Quality Board has approved draft anti-idling legislation and PennDOT is working to ensure compliance with that rule if it is passed into law. PennDOT's Construction and Materials section is still reviewing the City's draft contract language and will then meet with counsel to discuss.

Krapf is working on a contract for 60 school bus retrofit in Westchester County. Emily is working with Krapf on an AFIG grant for 5 districts to use 1.1 million gallons per year of biodiesel.

WEEKLY PRESENTATION:
Emily gave a presentation on the benefits of biodiesel. Locally, several fleets use biodiesel including Great Valley School District, the Philadelphia Zoo, and the Philadelphia Eagles. Biodiesel is a diesel-compatible fuel processed from vegetable oils such as soy. It has low sulfate content, emits little particulate matter, and is non-toxic. AFIG grants are available from the state to defray additional costs over regular diesel. Although some Original Equipment Manufacturers have said they will not extend their warranties to cover the use of biodiesel, the fuel is widely considered safe for use so long as the fuel meets ASTM specifications. There are also some mechanical benefits to using biodiesel, such as its high lubricity and solvent characteristics which help to maintain and even improve engine performance. There are some concerns with biodiesel including the fact that tests on the NOx effect of the fuel are inconclusive-that is, NOx may decrease or increase using biodiesel depending on the engine type, duty cycle and other factors. Emily stressed the importance of local feedstocks in minimizing life cycle emissions from biofuels. The representatives from Great Valley noted that they have had no mechanical problems since transitioning to the fuel, and will continue to lobby other school districts to implement the technology.

NEXT MEETING AND LOCATION:
The next meeting will be held June 17th, 2007 at DVRPC.