Interested in learning more about the Alternative Fueling Facilities Program (AFFP) or Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grants Program (TNGVGP)?

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality announced today that up to $6 million dollars in grants is being made available to eligible individuals, businesses, and governmental entities to continue the development of a network of natural gas and/or other alternative fuel fueling stations to serve as a foundation for a self-sustaining market for alternative fuel vehicles in Texas.

The Alternative Fueling Facilities Program (AFFP) grants are part of the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, and are offered to eligible entities that intend to build, own, and operate alternative fuel and/or natural gas fueling stations in the Clean Transportation Zone. Effective September 1, 2017, the Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC) Chapters 393 and 394 were amended to combine the AFFP and the Clean Transportation Triangle (CTT) programs.

AFFP grants offset a portion of the cost of either the construction of new facilities dispensing natural gas and/or alternative fuels, or the expansion of existing facilities to provide new services or capabilities. Eligible fuels for the AFFP include compressed natural gas (CNG) and/or liquefied natural gas (LNG); biodiesel; hydrogen; methanol; propane (LPG); and electricity.

Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. CST, Tuesday, January 16, 2018.

The TCEQ has scheduled eight AFFP grant application workshops to review the grant requirements and the application process. Please RSVP to Camen Gupta, Program Coordinator, at camen.gupta@tceq.texas.gov.

HOUSTON: TUESDAY, NOV. 28, 2017
AFFP Workshop 9 a.m.
Houston-Galveston Area Council, Conference Room A
3555 Timmons, Suite 120
Houston, TX 77027

HOUSTON: TUESDAY, NOV. 28, 2017
TNGVGP Workshop Schedule  1 p.m.
Houston-Galveston Area Council, Conference Room A
3555 Timmons, Suite 120
Houston, TX 77027

For more information on the grant programs and to access up-to-date information on the application criteria and process, specific geographic eligibility requirements, and copies of the application form, visit www.terpgrants.org or call 800-919-TERP (8377).

Clean Cities Technologies Conference
Featuring Low NOx and Zero Emission Technologies

Tuesday, November 14, 2017
8 am – 4 pm
Faust Distributing, 10040 East Freeway, Houston, TX  77029

Clean Cities Technologies Conference Program

9:00 am Panel – CNG
· Eddie Murray, Freedom CNG – Moderator – “A Look at Alternative Fuels for Class 8 Fleets“- “Freedom CNG Motor Week Spot”
· Jorge Gonzalez, Cummins Westport – “Cummins Westport’s Next Generation Natural Gas Engines – Move to Zero”
· Steven Josephs, ampCNG – “CNG and RNG Transportation Fuel Opportunities”
· Ken Garland, Houston Distributing – “CNG Experience”

10:00 am Panel – Propane Autogas
· Jackie Mason, ProCOT – Moderator
· Joe Rudolph, Roush – “Knock Out NOx with Propane Autogas”
· Brian Green, Blue Flame – “Efficient Commercial Equipment Options for using LPG such as lawnmowers and forklifts”
· Andres Montes, Houston ISD – “Houston ISD Fleet Operations”

12:00 pm Keynote Speaker
· Jeremy Johnson, TTI – “Collecting and Using Real World Activity Data”

1:00 pm Panel – Electric Vehicles
· David Owen, CenterPoint Energy – Moderator
· Dave Aasheim, ChargePoint – “Ready for the EV Revolution”
· Robert Filosa, UPS – “UPS’s Path to Reduced Emissions”
· Stacy Shutts, Johnson Space Center – “Renewable EV Charging and use of EVs”

2:00 pm Panel – Operational Efficiencies to Reduce Fuel Consumption and Emissions
· Brad Kimball, SME – Moderator “SME Creating a Single Version of the Truth”
· Shannon Sentell, Stealth Power – “Auxilliary Power Units for use in Emergency and Long Term Idling Vehicle Operations”
· Kyle Kristynik, Jetco – “Technology and Transportation: How GPS Assists in Operational Efficiencies”
· Allen Dennis, EPRI – “Reduced Idling Emissions Using Electric Transportation Refrigeration Units (eTRU)and Bucket Battery Racks”

3:00 pm Panel – Funding Grants and Incentives
· Shelley Whitworth, H-GAC – Moderator
· Steve Dayton, TCEQ – “Texas Emissions Reduction Plan Incentives”
· “VW Settlement Trust Fund Discussion – Timeline and Potential Projects”
· Robert Veazie, H-GAC – “Congestion Mitigation Air Quality / Supplemental Environmental Program Funding”
· Tony Dale, Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), TX State Representative – “Propane Autogas Incentives”
· Ken Gathright, POHA – “EPA Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) Projects”
· Andrew DeCandis, H-GAC – “DOE and New Technologies”

photo; Houston Metro Operations Manager Jeffrey Long filling CNG Buses during hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey packed a huge punch, and Texans staggered, but did not fall. The Texas Gulf Coast and parts of Louisiana were devastated by this storm, while first responders, friends, neighbors, out of state volunteers, complete strangers and now donations came to the rescue. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts! As we continue the recovery process the effects on our community are daunting; the cleanup, the assessment and rebuilding begins.

Our oil production platforms and refineries have been negatively impacted by Harvey causing fuel shortages and price increases across Texas and beyond. But there is a huge bright spot: Texas natural gas abundance, durability and usability. Texas is #3 in the world in natural gas production, and throughout the storm, pipeline operators have provided an uninterrupted supply to all affected areas. Pipeline integrity provided Texas with the ability to use natural gas to produce power, cook, generate hot water and provide transportation fuel to light and heavy duty vehicles across the state.

The State of Texas has over 150 natural gas stations that have had supply throughout the event. The price is extremely stable and no shortages have been reported. Freedom CNG, for example, was fueling METRO transit buses, Houston Distributing Trucks, Waste Corporation garbage trucks, AT&T service vehicles and many other fleets right here in Houston. When the power went out, on-site back-up generators ensured that our customers would receive critical fuel for their vehicles. Our hats are off to Texas natural gas producers and pipeline companies for keeping Texas’ clean fuel flowing to all.

Lightning on Wheels Electric Vehicle Panel, ft. Tesla and Chevy.

Open to the Public. Hosted by HREG – Houston Renewable Energy Group
Thursday at 6 PM – 8 PM
Rice University BioScience Research Collaborative

https://www.facebook.com/events/112633849410757??ti=ia

Details

Join us at the Lightning on Wheels Electric Vehicle Panel on Thursday September 14th

During the event, you will get to experience exactly how Tesla has redefined vehicle engineering. A Tesla Specialist will also show you how easy they are to charge, how safe they are to drive, and how electric vehicles can fit seamlessly into your lifestyle.

You’ll also get a chance to listen to Chevy weigh in on the electric vehicle vs. gasoline vs. hybrid debate, talk about how you can buy and maintain your very own electric vehicle, and the future of sustainable travel around the world!

Parking tickets are $12. There will be food provided.

PANELISTS:

Daniel Cohan, associate professor of environmental engineering at Rice University. His research focuses on air pollution modeling and the impacts of energy on the environment. He writes columns for The Hill and The Conversation, including topics related to electric vehicles and clean energy.

Stephen Pace, who is the President of the Tesla Club of Greater Houston and a member of the Houston Electric Automobile Association. He’s been driving electric since Oct 2012 and doesn’t miss stopping at the gas station. He currently owns a Signature Model S #219 which was one of the first in Houston.

Electric Vehicle Car show at IKEA
Saturday, September 16, 2017
9:30 am until 12:30 pm
IKEA Houston TX store at I-10 and Antoine Dr.
7810 Katy Fwy
Houston, TX 77024

https://driveelectricweek.org/event.php?eventid=904

The revised Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program will cover up to 90 percent of the actual cost of the vehicle replacement. This is a dramatic increase from the previous program, which covered 90 percent of the incremental cost.
Expected to launch early to mid-2018, the program will fund replacement of vehicles over 8,500 GVWR and will include CNG, LNG and propane. Staff at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality intends to provide pre-determined grant amounts in tables similar to the Rebate Grants program, so that applicants can look those up and determine what grant amount they would be eligible for.
NOTE: The program is NOT competitive on a cost/ ton basis, but rather first-come, first-serve until the $7,736,987 annual appropriation is committed.
Click here for list of available incentives. Contact TXNG for assistance and further information.