Agenda - 06-02-2004-7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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TRIANGLE J COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS AFV INCENTIVE PROJECT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS & GRANT GUIDELINES Total funds available: $100,000. Maximum single award: $25,000. Deadline for submitting proposals: End of business Apri130, 2004. Initial awards will be announced by May 31, 2004. All funds must be expended by May 31, 2005, After an initial round of awards, applications will be considered based on the merits of the subsequent proposals and the availability of funding. TJCOG reserves the right to set aside program funds for later rounds of funding or to reach fuel diversity goals. Project Purpose The purpose of this project is to increase the use of alternative transportation fuels in Chatham, Durhanr, Franklin, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange, and Wake counties. Increasing the use of alternative fuels such as biodiesel (B20-B100), electricity, ethanol (E85), natural gas and propane will help efforts to diversify fuel supplies, support renewable energy initiatives and provide for cleaner air. Presently the U.S. transportation sector (on-road cars and trucks) is 97% reliant on petroleum gasoline and diesel fuel, with much of this fuel imported from other countries. Increasing the use of alternative fuels supports US energy security and economic development while reducing harmful emissions. Expanded use of alternative fuels is hampered by the increased costs associated with their use. Biofirels such as biodiesel and E85 are typically more expensive than petroleum diesel and gasoline but do not have additional costs associated with the vehicles in which they operate. Propane, electricity and natural gas, on the other hand, often cost less than gasoline and diesel but the vehicles in which these fuels operate cost more to purchase.. Furthermore, acquiring equipment to accommodate vehicle refueling can present a significant bazrier to fleet managers and fuel providers that are considering a switch to, or addition of, an alternative fuel option to their operations. Project Eligibility Triangle J Council of Governments (TJCOG), in cooperation with the Triangle Clean Cities Coalition, is issuing a request for proposals (RFP) from vehicle and fleet operators and fuel providers for projects that use alternative fuels as defined though the Energy Policy Act (EPAct). Any vehicle operator or fuel provider located in the above mentioned counties is eligible to apply, although priority will be placed on funding non-EPAct mandated fleets, such as local govenunent and private sector fleet and refueling operators. Projects can cover the incremental price of fuel, refueling related equipment and infrastructure, or vehicle purchases.. Vehicles must be original equipment manufacturer (OEM) alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) or Enviromnental Protection Agency (EPA) certified conversions. Only on-road vehicles and transportation fiiel related projects are eligible for funding through this project.