Tyler Herrmann began working with us on July 1, 2017, as the LCF Project Assistant and quickly became an indispensable member of the team. He was promoted to Project Coordinator in early 2018, and he has now been promoted again to Co-Coordinator on March 13th, 2019. To become a Clean Cities Co-Coordinator is a pretty big deal. We have to get approval from the Department of Energy to add a Co-Coordinator by justifying that the Coordinator (Ann Vail) is in need of assistance. Our large territory was one of the many reasons we were able to justify our request. The promotion brings with it the ability for Tyler to participate in our quarterly and annual reporting requirements for the Department of Energy's Clean Cities Coalition network. Tyler's basic responsibilities will not change, but he will start becoming a more visible part of our outreach efforts and events.

In his time at LCF, Tyler has developed and worked on several important projects, including the creation of our Green Fleets Certification Program. Tyler also developed a modified AFLEET tool to help with emissions calculations for the VW Mitigation Trust Settlement which was approved by Argonne National Laboratory, the original developers of AFLEET. Currently, Tyler is working with St. Landry Parish Solid Waste on a manual for their RNG project.

In addition to these projects, Tyler also regularly speaks and presents at events and schools. Each year, Tyler does a presentation for 6th graders at Runnels to teach them the basics of alternative fuels. He has also done a First Responder Safety talk at a Civil Air Patrol meeting. Most recently, Tyler was added to the LSU Environmental Science curriculum as a regular speaker to talk about alternative fuels. 

Please join us in congratulating Tyler on his position as the new Co-Coordinator for LCF!

Louisiana clean fuels seeks input from Louisiana Plug-in and Electric vehicle owners

Contact for Interviews:

Ann Vail, Executive Director
Louisiana Clean Fuels
225-281-7353 Mobile
ann@louisianacleanfuels.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BATON ROUGE, LA - Louisiana Clean Fuels (LCF) recently launched a crowdsourcing website to gather input from electric vehicle owners and potential site hosts for their DC Fast Charging Corridor Master Plan. This project allows electric vehicle owners the opportunity to be a part of the decision-making process on where to place DC Fast Chargers along Louisiana’s interstate corridors. In order to reach as many of the reported 1,750 registered plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle owners in the state of Louisiana as possible, LCF is keeping their crowdsourcing website up for an additional month. The site will close on April 30th in order for the organization to begin analyzing the data.

https://louisianacleanfuels.mysocialpinpoint.com/cleanfuels#

Ann Vail, LCF Executive Director says, "The website is really fun and easy to use. All you have to do is select the purple car icon to drop a “pin” at an intersection where you think your car could benefit from a charging station. If someone has already nominated a site that you agree with, then you can "like" that item and leave a comment about that location."

Local business owners and government entities also have the opportunity to have their voices heard by nominating their location to be a potential site host for these proposed charging stations. Vail says, "Hosting a charging station can offer a wide range of benefits. Not only would hosting a charging station support the environmentally-friendly use of alternative fuels, help to meet corporate emissions standards and goals, and increase property value, hosting will also serve to attract new customers who drive electric vehicles." EV owners, drawn in by the charging stations, are known to visit more frequently and stay on property longer as their vehicles charge.

Background

On November 30, 2017, Louisiana submitted its proposal to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for alternative fuel corridors. The state submitted proposals for three fuels along specific sections of our interstate system. The only fuel that did not qualify for signage was charging for electric vehicles. Under the FHWA guidelines, DC Fast Chargers must be spaced a maximum of 50 miles apart, each within 5 miles of the interstate in order for the corridor to be eligible for signage. LCF saw this lack of infrastructure as an opportunity to design a charging network that works for both current and future EV owners and drivers. To jump-start the development of an electric charging corridor along our interstate system, LCF embarked on developing a DC Fast Charging Master Plan for the state of Louisiana. LDEQ published an FHWA Alt Fuel Corridors update in their latest newsletter.

THE PLAN

LCF has assembled a team of data experts, OEMs, EVSE experts, electric utilities and MPOs to begin work on a two-part plan. The first part of the Master Plan is to create the business case for potential DC Fast Charging sites that is backed up with comprehensive data which will aid in identifying the best locations for DC Fast Chargers along our interstates. LCF is currently collecting highway data, economic data of the potential sites, and vehicle data from multiple sources along with existing infrastructure. The data is being used to conduct analyses and modeling that will reveal optimal DC Fast Charging sites in Louisiana that also fit the qualifications for signage under the FHWA Alternative Fuel signage program. The second part of the Master Plan process is to conduct regional outreach meetings in the different planning commission / MPO territories across the state. Both LCF and LDEQ will host these round table meetings with area businesses, utilities, and elected officials in order to facilitate local acceptance and demand for EVSE charging infrastructure along their critical corridors.  LCF's DC Fast Charging Master Plan

Additional information about DC Fast Charging

• DC Fast Charging Explained: Via FASTNED.nl  https://fastned.nl/en/blog/post/everything-you-ve-always-wanted-to-know-about-fast-charging
• AFDC's Electric Vehicle Charging Information - The different types explained: https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_infrastructure.html

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About LCF

Louisiana Clean Fuels (LCF) was established in 1997 as an affiliate of the United States Department of Energy Clean Cities program and received designation April 11, 2000. Formerly the Greater Baton Rouge Clean Cities Coalition, LCF operates as an independent non-profit association supported through its partnership with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and its stakeholders.

As of April 1, 2019, we will be updating the LCF website to reflect our new 2019 Members. All non-renewing member logos will be removed from the Members page, newsletters, etc. on this date so that we may recognize our 2019 membership. If you renew membership after April 1, your logo will be reposted once payment for membership is received.

For those interested in renewing membership with LCF or becoming a new member, please see our Join page for information on our membership levels and links to pay membership dues.

LCF would like to thank all who have joined or renewed membership for 2019:

Originally posted by NTEA | Published in the March 2019 issue of Washington Update

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 305: Electric-powered vehicles: Electrolyte spillage and electrical shock protection. The NPRM is to clarify the direct contact protection requirements that apply to high voltage connectors, and explicitly permit the use of high voltage connectors that cannot be separated without the use of tools. The proposed changes to these requirements would harmonize FMVSS No. 305 with Global Technical Regulations (GTRs) No. 13 and No. 20, which explicitly permit such connectors. In addition, it would make three minor technical corrections to the standard.

View the full article on the NTEA website!

BATON ROUGE – LDEQ has opened the second round of applications for projects and funding from the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust. Application submittal for project funding is available through the LDEQ’s VW webpage online application: https://deq.louisiana.gov/form/volkswagen-eligible-mitigation-action-project-application-state-beneficiary-louisiana. Apply by the deadline, April 12. If you have any questions concerning the application, please send them to vwsettlement@la.gov.

Louisiana has previously solicited proposed projects for consideration by the LDEQ, the Department of Natural Resources (LDNR), and the Department of Transportation and Development (LDOTD).  Proposed projects will be reviewed (1) to determine qualification pursuant to Appendix D-2; and (2) in consideration of appropriate goals, priorities, costs, and impacts from the projects.

The Volkswagen settlement was approved by a federal court in California on Oct. 25, 2016. VW is required to pay $2.9 billion into an environmental mitigation trust fund to be shared among the states and tribes. Louisiana will receive more than $19 million over three years. The money will be used to offset the excess air pollution caused by VW’s actions. This is the application for the second year funds.

Three Louisiana state agencies were designated to receive equal shares of the fund: LDEQ, the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR) and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LDOTD). These agencies were tasked to allocate the VW Mitigation Trust funds. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) was designated the lead agency (beneficiary) by the Office of Gov. John Bel Edwards.

The agencies, with public input, are proposing to pool their funds to target replacement of eligible diesel school buses. The bus replacement program will offer partial funding primarily to school districts to replace their buses with electric, alternative fuel or high-efficiency diesel vehicles and for electric vehicle infrastructure.

For more information on the VW Settlement, go to https://deq.louisiana.gov/page/louisiana-volkswagen-environmental-mitigation-trust.

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources has announced that solicitations are open for the 2019 Louisiana Revolving Loan Fund Program.

Public entities may utilize low-interest financing, originally provided by the US Department of Energy, for implementing qualified energy efficient upgrades and improvements, and the term of the loan may be for up to 10 years at 2% interest.

The deadline for applications is April 30, 2019. For more information, access the LDNR website.

• Program Guidelines and Requirements
• Application Forms

Dinero’ Washington and Kent Meadows join the Louisiana Clean Fuels 2019 Board of Directors

Contact:

Ann Vail, Executive Director
Louisiana Clean Fuels
225-281-7353 Mobile
ann@louisianacleanfuels.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BATON ROUGE, LA - Louisiana Clean Fuels (LCF), the states largest Clean Cities Coalition, serving 56 parishes in Louisiana, announced today the addition of two new board members:  Dinero Washington of Sportran and Kent Meadowns of NGV Solutions. Per LCF bylaws, 2 of the 11 seats were open for election due to two long-time board members retiring from the LCF board. Mr. Washington and Mr. Meadows have filled the seats previously held by Paula Ridgeway (formerly of LDNR) and Curstis Donaldson of Agility Fuel Systems. LCF is pleased to welcome Mr. Washington and Mr. Meadows to the board.

		Mr. Washington is a native of Shreveport and serves as the president/chief executive officer for Shreveport Transit Management (SporTran) and Metro Management Inc. SporTran serves as the public transit system for the Shreveport and Bossier urbanized area. Washington earned two degrees from Northwestern State University and later earned his MBA from Stayer University. He believes in the power of hard work, and under his leadership, SporTran has designed, built, and opened the doors to three new transit passenger terminals and introduced the first new bus routing and scheduling network in the Shreveport-Bossier area in more than 25 years. The new bus routing and scheduling network introduced by Washington and his team his increased monthly ridership by more than 40,000. He also recently lead the efforts to introduce the first all battery electric buses and bus electric charging stations in Louisiana. He currently serves as president for Louisiana Public Transportation Association and a board member for South West Transit Association. Washington has received numerous awards during his tenure at SporTran. A few of the awards he holds closely are South West Transit Association President’s Award for his outstanding service to the public transit industry, the Urban Transit System of the year award from Route Match, 2018 Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Top Business Professional, and Shreveport-Bossier Top 40 under 40.
		Mr. Meadows is a frequent speaker at LCF Events and First Responder Safety Classes and is a Bronze Member of LCF. As Vice-President of NGV Solutions in 2011, Meadows established a Mississippi-based company to provide private companies, municipalities, counties/parishes, and other government agencies with turn-key solutions for their Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) needs. From small time-fill compression to Fast-fill public stations along with CNG conversions on vehicles, Meadows’ consulting, problem solving, and specialized solutions allow him to design options to meet each client’s needs. NGV Solutions supports and maintains compressors stations across the Southeast. Currently, NGV Solutions maintains four private CNG stations for clients in Louisiana. In addition to NGV Solutions, Meadows has worked with alliances to promote alternative fuel legislation. He has served on Boards of private schools, civic organizations, churches, and ministry-based charities. Prior to NGV Solutions, Meadows' background includes Automotive Dealership operations, Project Management, and business consulting.

Consisting of 11 members, the Board of Directors serves in an advisory and oversight capacity in order to support the organization's goals and mission. The board, which meets on a quarterly basis, is comprised of representatives from government agencies, national, regional and local fleets as well as various stakeholder organizations. For a complete list of board members, visit the Louisiana Clean Fuels Board of Directions 2019 page.

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LCF is a US Department of Energy Clean Cities Coalition, supported by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and member organizations. The mission of Louisiana Clean Fuels, Inc. is to advance the nation’s environmental, economic and energy security by supporting local actions to diversify transportation fuel options. As a member of the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program, LCF strives to achieve its goals by employing a variety of strategies which include: promoting and implementing the use of alternative fuel vehicles, fuel blends, increased fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction technologies.

PRESS RELEASE

Electric Vehicles and Owners Converge on Tanger Outlet Mall for National Drive Electric Week Event 

Contact:

Ann Vail, Executive Director, Louisiana Clean Fuels
225-281-7353 | ann@louisianacleanfuels.org

Gonzales, LA | September 15, 2018 -Dozens of electric vehicle drivers and enthusiasts converged on Tanger Outlet Mall today to show off their electric vehicles and to talk to shoppers about how much they love their cars and to highlight the clean-air benefits and cost-savings of electric cars. The event is part of the fifth annual National Drive Electric Week.

There were many different electric models on display near the Tanger Outlet Mall’s Level 2 electric vehicle chargers: the Tesla Model S, X and 3 were all well represented with multiple examples of each car at the event as well as a couple of BMWi3s, an electric bicycle, a handful of Nissan Leafs and even a prototype of the Jaguar I-Pace.

Ann Vail, LCF's Executive Director said about today's event, "We spoke to dozens of people today that didn't realize how many different makes and models of electric cars (EVs) are available at dealership these days. Many of the people we talked to had no idea that most newer EV models can go more than 250 miles on a single charge! Once they realized how much money they would save by never having to buy gasoline again or go in for an oil change, nearly everyone got excited and said that they would have to look into purchasing an EV the next time they go buy a car!"

Gonzales’s event is one of more than 280 across the country (and around the world) where electric vehicle owners and their neighbors will hold electric car parades, “tailpipe-free” tailgate parties, recognition of leaderspromoting EVs, launches of new public EV charging stations and other public events.

Louisiana Clean Fuels organized the Gonzales event. Plug In America, the Sierra Club and the Electric Auto Association are national organizers. The Nissan LEAF® is the exclusive national automotive sponsor.

For a complete list of National Drive Electric Week events, visit: driveelectricweek.org

For more information about Gonzales Electric Drive Electric Week, visit our photo gallery online: https://louisianacleanfuels.org/gallery.php?id=44

About Louisiana Clean Fuels: LCF is a US Department of Energy Clean Cities Coalition, supported by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and member organizations. The mission of Louisiana Clean Fuels, Inc. is to advance the nation’s environmental, economic and energy security by supporting local actions to diversify transportation fuel options. 

About Plug In America:Plug In America is the nation’s leading independent consumer voice for accelerating the use of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States. Formed as a non-profit in 2008, Plug In America provides practical, objective information collected from our coalition of plug-in vehicle drivers, through public outreach and education, policy work and a range of technical advisory services. Our expertise represents the world’s deepest pool of experience of driving and living with plug-in vehicles. The organization conceived National Drive Electric Week and has advanced workplace charging by pioneering ride-and-drive events at such leading corporations as Google, Mattel and Paramount Pictures. We drive electric. You can too. pluginamerica.org

About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization with more than 2.4 million members and supporters and chapters in all 50 states. The Sierra Club’s national electric vehicles initiative advocates for a switch to EVs as one important way to reduce emissions and cut oil consumption. Sierra Club is proud to have been one of the three national groups organizing National Drive Electric Week since its inception in 2011. www.sierraclub.org/EVGuide.

About the Electric Auto Association: The Electric Auto Association,formed in 1967, is a nonprofit educational organization with 75 chapters worldwide that promotes the advancement and widespread adoption of electric vehicles.www.electricauto.org.

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Louisiana Clean Fuels Welcomes Two New Board Members

Contact:

Ann Vail, Executive Director
Louisiana Clean Fuels
225-281-7353 mobile
ann@louisianacleanfuels.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 7, 2018 |Baton Rouge, LA - Louisiana Clean Fuels (LCF) announces the non-profit coalition’s 2018-2019 board members and officers. Per LCF bylaws, 2 of the 11 seats were open for election due to two long-time board members retiring from the LCF board. The remaining 9 incumbent board members ran unopposed and were reinstalled for another term on the board.

The board members who retired from their seats on the LCF board are Robert Borne, Entergy and Jean Kelly, LDEQ. Both were honored at the LCF 2017 Annual Clean Fuel Leader Awards for their many years of dedicated service to the organization. The two new board members elected to fill the vacant seats are Vivian Aucoin, LDEQ and Tokesha Collins-Wright, Kean Miller:

Vivan Aucoin has been has been with LDEQ for over 25 years, the last 17 in Air Quality. She works as the Senior Scientist Manager in the Office of Environmental Assessment, Air Planning and Assessment Division.  She is the treasurer of the Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies (AAPCA) and is on the Board of Directors for the Central States Air Resource Agencies.  Vivian is a graduate of LSU; she two degrees.  One is a BA in History; the other is a BS in Physical Geography, with a concentration in Meteorology and Climatology.

Tokesha Collins-Wright is a partner in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller. She joined the firm in 2008 and practices in the environmental law group. Tokesha's practice involves most aspects of environmental regulatory law, including permitting, compliance, enforcement and transactional issues, as well as litigation matters. She is a member of the Junior League of Baton Rouge and is the Chair of the Junior League’s Diaper Bank. She is a long-time former board member for the Iris Domestic Violence Center. She is a 2017 Recipient of the Baton Rouge Business Report’s 40 Under Forty.

The LCF Board also selected its officers that make up the LCF Board’s executive committee for 2018 and 2019:

• Board Chair: Randy Hayden, Creative Communications (2^nd term as Chair)
• Vice-Chair: Fred Skal, Premier CNG Enterprise
• Treasurer: Matt Dearmon, Entergy (2^nd term as Treasurer)
• Secretary: Tokesha Collins-Wright, Kean Miller

“We are excited to continue moving forward and to serve the state of Louisiana with these phenomenal leaders at our side,” said Ann Vail, Executive Director of Louisiana Clean Fuels. “A strong board is the lifeline to a successful organization, and I believe we have both.”

For a complete list of board members, visit the Louisiana Clean Fuels website at: http://louisianacleanfuels.org/board.php

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About LCF

Louisiana Clean Fuels (LCF) was established in 1997 as an affiliate of the United States Department of Energy Clean Cities program and received designation April 11, 2000. Formerly the Greater Baton Rouge Clean Cities Coalition, LCF operates as an independent non-profit association supported through its partnership with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and its stakeholders.