Minutes:

Tom McCorquodale suggest Linda investigate the incubator out at UB Sweethome road for possible office site. Kent and Skip both offered meeting rooms for future meetings.

Linda recapped all the activity since the last meeting in March:
The following items are an update since we last met in March 2003.
1. March - Washington Days, appoints made by NCC Inc included Senator’s Clinton and Schumer, Congressman Quinn and Congressman Boehlert. All Appointments kept. Basic message was to reauthorize tea 21 , allow infrastructure projects to use other funding sources, i.e. rebuild, energy star to allow for economically attractive packages for private sector investment in alternative fuels. Increase Clean City program funding under CMAQ. Apportion an amount of clean city cmaq funding to infrastructure projects and give the local clean city a seat at the table of the local mpo to assure clean city projects get a continuous hearing and that the public/private partners have an advocate at every mpo meeting.
2. April 22 Advance the Choice event at UB Amherst Campus. Thanks to Fred Smeader for his tireless effort in assuring a successful event. Literally 100’s of students chatted with representatives of alternatively fueled vehicles on display in the student union and in the adjacent area outside. 40 attended the luncheon to hear Robert Helenbrook PE speak about the basic fuel cell and it’s current application in WNY and it’s future in transportation. Michal Vojtisek gave a very informative talk on Biodiesel and a demonstration of his biodiesel pick-up. In addition , Northtown Prius, and GEM and Culligan Honda displayed vehicles for sale while UB, NOCO and Cummins displayed the technology in action and the NFTA loaned the CNG Trolley for viewing.
3. May - USDOE national Clean City convention. WOW, best line-up ever. The program is emphasizing niche fleets. If our funding is continued through 2004 the coordinators will be asked to host one advance the choice event and 4 quarterly meetings. We currently meet about 9 times a year. The new schedule would allow for planning a series of 4 dedicated meetings that could be mini seminars for fleet managers. Each meeting could offer financing information and overview on all fuels with an accent on one fuel. The goal would be to bring 20/25 fleet managers in for each meeting. The recommitment of Secretary Garman to the Clean City program was significant. Because He was not in attendance many started to discuss a lack of support, but the secretary was testifying in Wash. DC and in that testimony recommitted the USDOE to the Clean City program which he views as a part of the fuel economy future. I visited with Waste Management owner Kelly Martin at their plant. They are using a public private CNG heavy duty engine on their long haul garbage trucks. Phill was unveiled by Fuelmaker. This home slow fill compressor makes cng powered vehicles practical for any homeowner. Sunline transit offered rides in a Fuel cell bus. Dennis Weaver and Susan Sommers both appeared as advocates for alt fuel , but the highlight for me was the “The Hydrogen Economy” presentation.
4. Other small initiatives going on, not firm yet…..include…..ECC interest in Alt Fuel Training, Waste Manangement interested in cleaner fuel project, would require CMAQ funding, Advance the Choice fall 2003 planning meeting set for this Wednesday, need to get a new office, Station opening with the County and Garage update at SUNY---joint press opportunity. Our web site up and running at cleancommunitiesofwny.org , Buffalo snow removal and air quality project in conjunction with UB may interest our stakeholders.
Tom McCorquodale reported the army at Fort Drum is using non alcohol products improving engine lubricity, Kinetic Lab’s products are also being used by the Coast Guard. There is a move away from dry gas products which some engine manufactures will not recommend.

Kent Kilgore will be checking on propane use and reported NOCO is full steam ahead on bioproducts in the field. “Green” hydraulic oils will definitely make an environmental difference.

Skip Hauth gave an excellent update on all the bio based initiatives NOCO Bioproducts has underway. NOCO Bioproducts was officially launched three weeks ago. The product line includes Biodiesel, E-85, Biolubes, greasers, cleaners and solvents. Ther is a definite workplace health benefit to the use of these products as people are less likely to be allergic, or have skin problems.

Most of NYS west of Onondaugua County will find NOCO on the state contract as the bio based supplier.

The Biodiesel demonstration project with the Town of Tonawanda, goes very well. No cold weather problems to report, engine cetane ratings are terrific.

The NFTA project is back on the board again, NYSERDA was able to help restructure the project. 150 thousand gallons of biodiesel should be used between now and the end of 2003 in 140 cleaner engine diesel buses belonging to the NFTA. We need signage for 140 buses….not sure the magnetic type will stay put….Linda will ask about signage.

The e-85 fleet demo project is also rising to the top once again. If NYSERDA can id funds from another source, perhaps EPA we may see on site fleet demonstration projects, one would probably be the post office. Skip reported that the highly hyped Minnesota commercial e-85 at 70 public pumps project was a dismal failure. Even with a 12cent lower price than unleaded gas consumers with ffv’s were afraid to use the fuel in their 25,000. vehicles. Public education is needed. Foundations will be asked to fund a public education marketing project before e-85 is tried here commercially.

Bio heating fuels are gaining favor with a reduction of NOx and Sox, both Kodak and Buff State are interested.

ULSD is mandated for 2006 highway use and will be the next ‘hot’ fuel.

The Buffalo Biobased Products Initiative is seeking to establish a biobased products technical certification center here in WNY. It would have oversite for labeling and certification of oils, foods, fuels, and lubricants as ‘bio’ products.

On a wrap up note….the biodiesel study pon that our group tried to secure went to a Pennsylvania firm with the Biodiesel Board consulting group as part of the mix. Our group was one of the 4 finalists and many of our partners have been asked to sit on the technical advisory board. The scope is to report policies and incentives to establish the industry in NYS. NYSERDA of course is interested in end use, while the group is interested in manufacturing needs…..the agricultural sector needs to know in advance …they have to plant and grow the inputs…..the report is due in November….hang on.

Next meeting will be August 11th 1:30….but we are unsure where exactly.
Ther may be a press conference on the opening of the CNG station in the county and the finishing of the work on the UB garage, they might be simultaneous,,,might not, stay tuned. Meanwhile: I need an office with internet connection. Email me any suggestions.