The annual WASTECON meeting, sponsored by the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and NGVAmerica's Annual Natural Gas Vehicle Conference, will be co-located in Long Beach, California. The NGV Conference will be held Sept. 19-21 and WASTECON will be held Sept. 22-24.
Cummins Westport, in concert with the Orange County Transit Administration (OCTA) in California, conducted a project to test the fuel economy improvement of the ISL G natural gas bus engine in a real-world scenario. The project proved that the ISL G engines achieved a 5% fuel economy gain over the C Gas Plus.
"Biodiesel Myths Busted," recently published by the National Biodiesel Board, offers facts to answer any lingering questions about fuel standards, quality, and performance of this alternative fuel.
The June 2009 issue of Clean Cities Now features stories about elementary school students encouraging the creation of no-idle zones in San Antonio; recent Propane Road Shows in Virginia, Maryland, and South Carolina; green vehicles helping children's charities in California; and a new truck stop electrification system in South Carolina. The Fleet Experiences story features the University of Illinois-Chicago's mixed fleet of alternative fuel vehicles.
Thirty-five states have now enacted legislation and rules that limit engine idling for heavy-duty vehicles. Many of the new mandates limit idling to five minutes or less and place restrictions on school bus operations. To review legislation in your state, go to the Incentives and Laws section of the Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center Web site, then click on Custom Query and select “Idle Reduction” under the Technology/Fuel selection box for your state.
TransAtlas, a new U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) interactive map, puts the world of alternative fuels within reach of your computer. The interactive tool employs user-friendly Google Maps to display the locations of existing and planned alternative fueling stations; alternative fuel production facilities; hybrid electric, diesel and flexible fuel vehicle density; and roads and political boundaries. Maps highlighting U.S. biomass production are also available on TransAtlas at the Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center.
President Obama has set in motion a new policy aimed at increasing fuel economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions for all new cars and trucks sold in the U.S. The new standards will require an average fuel economy of 35.5 mpg in 2016 and are projected to save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of the program.
The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has approved up to $44.2 million toward the 2009 Clean Truck Incentive Program at the Port of Los Angeles. The incentives are targeted to bring trucks that run on liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas, or lithium battery electric power into service at the port.
Clean Cities has published a fact sheet outlining its goals, strategies, and top accomplishments. Goals include developing regional fueling infrastructure, partnering with national fleets, and developing interstate alternative fuel corridors.
Vice President Joe Biden announced $300 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for state and local governments, and transit authorities to expand the nation's fleet of clean, sustainable vehicles and the fueling infrastructure necessary to support them. "For city and state governments across this country, every day is Earth Day thanks to the ambitious commitments they are making to green their vehicles and transit systems. Now it's time for Washington to help them deliver on those promises," said Vice President Biden.

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