Tag Archive for: alternative fuel

By Jenna Znamenak

This article chronicles recent efforts by Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC) and its Clean Cities Coalitions to make electric vehicle operations a reality in areas that are often left out of new connectivity trends. 

To a person who has always lived in a highly populated city, connectivity is a daily reality. Cities get the fastest internet, the most cell coverage, and more nicely paved trafficways. But for the 20% of the population of the United States who live in rural areas, equal connectivity has never been the norm. 

As reported in the January/February issue of the Kansas Government Journal by Mike Scanlon, City Manager of Osawatomie, Kansas, “It is no secret that rural communities are historically left behind when the United States adopts the latest technology.” And in recent months, more rural leaders are seeing a potential pitfall that could widen the access gap for their communities: the advancement of electric vehicles (EVs). 

As the latest consumer-use scenarios are analyzed and early-adopter reviews roll in, the reality is clear: EVs cost less money to fuel and to maintain than their gasoline-fueled counterparts. And with the recent monumental increases in grants and tax incentives for EV purchases, governments are becoming much more interested in EV funding pipelines than they are in vehicles fueled by oil pipelines. But urban and suburban governments are making the switch much faster than rural governments. 

Scanlon is not surprised, but he is hopeful that this time rural America can keep up with the trend. “By 2030 the federal government proposed that half of all new cars sold in the U.S. will be zero-emission vehicles, with 50,000 electric charging networks. By proactively supporting rural EV development now, we can prevent history from repeating itself.” His article in the Kansas Government Journal, co-written with MEC’s Central Kansas Clean Cities Coalition coordinator Jenna Znamenak, prepares rural leaders with real facts and funding connections so they can stay in the fight to stay connected. 

The most exciting grants on the list are the ones that get rid of nitrous-oxide-producing diesel school buses by helping school districts convert to EVs, for little to no cost to the schools. “These grants replace older school buses with electric school buses to reduce harmful emissions around children,” says Central Kansas Clean Cities coordinator Jenna Znamenak. But she says there are enough programs available through MEC’s grant assistance to help more institutions than just schools involved with the national sea-change. 

For many rural leaders, adapting to standardizing trends sounds like “small budgets with not much room for experimentation, time constraints that do not allow us the ability to learn about technology, and grant opportunities that can look like a 10-acre corn maze,” says Scanlon. “That’s why we’re here for you—we’ve helped connect local communities and fleets to easier funding for clean energy for the past 40 years,” says Znamenak, referring to MEC’s stockpile of resource-accessing tricks and their dependable grant assistance services. 

See the original article published in the Kansas Government Journal here

To stay current on all available funding, sign up for MEC’s free newsletter at metroenergy.org/newsletter-sign-up. To talk to an expert about your next clean energy project, call 816-531-7283. 

January 12, 2022 @ 9:15 am 1:30 pm

SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Topeka Southwest

2745 SW Fairlawn Rd.
Topeka, KS 66614 United States
+ Google Map
(785) 596-9650
View Venue Website

This event has passed, but you can view the presentation slides at the links below.

Join the Kansas Biodiesel Consortium (KSBC) for our annual biodiesel workshop on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. Presenters will cover how to use biodiesel in your operations. From biodiesel fueling to vehicles to funding opportunities, you’ll learn what you need to know to get started with biodiesel. Each session will have time for an open Q&A with attendees. The final session is a roundtable to get your questions about biodiesel answered, followed by lunch. The workshop is free, but registration is requested. 

Masks are recommended for all attendees. A link for an online option will be emailed to all registrants prior to the workshop for those who prefer to attend virtually.

Agenda

8:30 – 9:15 am Registration with coffee & donuts

9:15 am Welcome—Edwin Brokesh (KSRE) – KSBC President

9:20 am Biodiesel Funding Opportunities—David Albrecht, Sr. Program Coordinator for the Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Coalition, and Tami Alexander, Sr. Program Coordinator for the Central Kansas Clean Cities Coalition, will share information on funding opportunities for biodiesel projects including fueling equipment and vehicles. Click here to see the presentation slides.

10:15 – 10:30 Break

10:30 – 11:45 am Real-World Biodiesel Use Case Studies

· James Jackson, Director of Public Works for the City of Topeka – The Road to Biodiesel:  Effective Service Delivery with Environmental Consciousness. Click here to see the speaker slides.

· Rich Iverson, Fleet Support Manager for the City of Ames, IA will share their experiences with the Optimus Technologies Vector System using 100% biodiesel. Click here to see the slides for this presentation.

· Eric Lawson with MEG Corp will talk about biodiesel blending and fuel usage in vehicles.

11:45 – 12:30 Roundtable discussion on biodiesel in Kansas—Open discussion with speakers to answer your questions about biodiesel.

12:30 – 1:30 Lunch provided at the hotel


October 25, 2021 @ 1:00 pm 5:00 pm CDT

Thompson Barn

11184 Lackman Road
Lenexa, Kansas 66219 United States
+ Google Map
$25 Individual Ticket, No Charge for Elected Officials

The Our Energy Horizon Forum will include a robust dialogue about our rapidly changing energy economy from clean energy experts, policymakers, and industry leaders. How will Kansas navigate the implementation of renewable technology, specifically around utility-scale solar, battery storage, electric vehicles, and transmission? What are the economic benefits of these technologies for the region? What’s happening to enable greater adoption of electric vehicles across the state? All of this and more in a dynamic conversation that looks at what’s happening and how Kansas can capture the benefits of these opportunities and embrace a changing energy future.

Agenda

Discussion 1: Solar Technology & Battery Storage

  • Frank Jakob, Black & Veatch
  • Robert Wright, Burns & McDonnell

Discussion 2: Economic Benefits of Solar & Storage

  • Moderated by Jessica Lucas, Clean Energy Business Council
  • Mike Busch, Wichita State University (Property Value Impacts
  • Michelle Milburn, Stanion (Local Supply Chain Opportunities)

Discussion 3: Solar & Storage Implementation Considerations

  • Moderated by Josh Svaty, Kansas Power Alliance
  • Kim Austin, NextEra Energy Resources (Land Use, Environmental Impacts, Decommissioning)
  • Kansas Supply Chain opportunities (Speaker TBA)

Discussion 4: Transportation Electrification & Transmission

Municipal fleet electrification. Is it possible today? What vehicles can I order as plug-ins? Are they reliable? What metro fleets are using electric cars and trucks already? How can I get help funding electric vehicles in our city or county?

Join City of Olathe and Kansas City Regional Clean Cities to find out the answers to these questions and tour the solar-powered electric charging stations at Indian Creek Library. Olathe has been upgrading their EV fleet and installing 4 off-grid solar EV chargers. Find out what else they’re doing to clean up their fleet.

Attendees will include members of the local chapter of American Public Works Association, with lots of opportunities to share information, lessons learned and best practices.

Stick around for additional lunch and learn regarding all-electric terminal tractors being used in metro yards, including at Johnson County’s wastewater treatment plant.

Attendance is limited. Register today to guarantee your seat and claim your complementary lunch.

Agenda

Welcome and Introduction

City of Olathe Fleet

Clean transportation planning, research, and deployments. Insight into the differences between EV and CNG refuse haulers.

Fleet Electrification Assistance and Funding Opportunities

Green Fleet analysis and support, funding opportunities, Kansas City Regional Clean Cities assistance portfolio

Lunch & Learn with Orange EV

 

On Display: Solar-powered charging station, Alt fuel refuse hauler

Driving Electric: Black & Veatch EV Drivers Tell All

Have questions about making the switch to an electric vehicle? Not only does Black & Veatch accelerate EV adoption by deploying the infrastructure and clean energy needed to power the vehicles, but also many BV professionals are EV drivers and advocates. Join this discussion on LinkedIn Live as several share their experiences of buying, driving, and charging their personal EVs and answer your questions live.

Click here to register or join the online event

Get practical advice on the steps you need to take in order to successfully add EVs to your fleet

Click here to register

Join our webinar featuring Mark Poll from Ford presenting on the release of the highly anticipated Ford F-150 Lightning and the Westport, CT Police Department sharing their experiences integrating 6 plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles into their fleet, including a Tesla Model 3 patrol car. Scott Barrios of Entergy and Ann Vail of Louisiana Clean Fuels round out the panel to share expert advice on the steps that need to be taken in order to successfully add an EV to your fleet.

Click here to register

October is annually designated as National Energy Awareness Month. The U.S. Department of Energy (US DOE) participates annually with the intent to draw attention to our nation’s electrical grid system and “to highlight the importance of energy to our national prosperity and security.” As the US DOE states, “Energy, our most critical infrastructure, is all but invisible to most, but our focus on continued innovation protects American lives today and ensures better lives tomorrow.”

This year, Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC) will use this truth to draw attention to energy efficiency and how it relates to our infrastructure, including our transportation systems and the built environment. There is indeed innovation happening on a national scale, and it’s occurring quickly. MEC is either hosting, co-hosting, or cross-promoting a number of in-person and virtual events this October to highlight all the ways our nation can modernize the way it uses energy to create a prosperous future for our youth and future generations. Click the links below to learn more about each event and how to participate (more links to come as the suite of events is finalized).

Whether an industry professional or policy maker or technician or a member of the general public, we have at least one event for you. Join us and our members, volunteers and friends during Energy Awareness Month. We’ll celebrate recent achievements and foster accelerated adoptions of energy conservation, renewables and cleaner fuels.

Energy Awareness 2021 Event List:

Native Plant Sale & Drive Electric Week Event at Project Living Proof with Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City Sept. 25
National Drive Electric Week: South Park in Lawrence Sept 25
Lion Electric School Bus Ride and Drive: Lee’s Summit Schools Sept 28
National Drive Electric Week: Driving Electric: Black & Veatch EV Drivers Tell All (Virtual) Sept 29
National Drive Electric Week: Prairie Village Presbyterian Church Sept 29
National Drive Electric Week: Independence Chamber of Commerce    CANCELED Oct. 2
National Drive Electric Week: ICT (Wichita Towne East Square) Oct. 2
National Energy Efficiency Day (Ask Emily for a model Proclamation for your city, business or organization) Oct. 6
Marquee Event: Our Best Buildings Yet: A Forum on Energy Efficiency in the Kansas City Region and Beyond Oct. 7
Virtual Workshop on Diesel Emissions Reduction Funding Opportunities: Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative Oct. 12-14
Webinar: EV Fleet Trends: Advice from the Experts (hosted by Louisiana Clean Fuels Coalition) Oct. 13
Marquee Event Day of EVs (In-Person): Exploring EVs in Municipal Fleets with City of Olathe, Indian Creek Library in Olathe, KS Oct. 19
Marquee Event Day of EVs (Virtual): Electrifying Terminal Trucks: Best Practices and Lessons Learned from Deployments in the Kansas City Region and Beyond Oct. 19
Our Energy Horizon: A Solar, Storage, Electric Vehicle & Transmission Event, Thompson Barn in Lenexa, KS (hosted by Clean Energy Business Council) Oct. 25
Weatherization Day 2021 Oct. 30

Join Lion Electric for a Ride & Drive in the Greater Kansas City Area on September 28, 9:30 am at Lee’s Summit Schools, 500 SE Transport Drive, Lee’s Summit, MO  64081.

Learn more about the benefits of the Lion C all-electric, zero-emission school bus and the unique features of the Lion Electric products.  Then get behind the wheel, take it for a ride, and have your questions regarding VW grants answered.

Please RSVP to Michael.Gaborcik@thelionelectric.com or 614-563-9896.

*Proper local COVID-19 requirements will be met.

For more information on Lion Electric visit thelionelectric.com

Come see a variety of electric vehicles, and talk to owners who have been driving electric since 2006.  Get behind the wheel or in the back seat, and check out the great tech.

All attendees and volunteers are required to wear face masks whenever they are within six feet of another person at all National Drive Electric Week 2021 events. Please see this information about how to improve how your mask protects you. For more information, see our in-person event safety requirements.

Click here to register to attend, show your EV, or volunteer for the event

Unfortunately, this event has been canceled. Please see our events page to find other Drive Electric events in the area or visit the national page to find other events near you.

Click here to find a National Drive Electric Week event near you

Tag Archive for: alternative fuel

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