Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Environmental Services
This expansion of the New Hampshire alternative fuels transportation program will allow for the purchase of hybrid and CNG vehicles by funding the incremental cost of alternative fueled vehicles or the cost of a vehicle retrofit. It will promote:
- The adoption of alternative fueled and hybrid vehicles within state government, municipal and private fleets.
- Carpooling, park and ride, telecommuting, and other transportation alternatives
The goal of the expanded Alternative Fuels Vehicle Program is to increase the number of hybrid and alternative fueled vehicles in the State fleet. This will be done in part by granting funds to State agencies for the incremental cost of such vehicles based on need, as well as by a marketing effort for AFV both within and outside of state government. Should State agencies fail to utilize all of the available funds (for example due to budget constraints), the program will grant funds to municipal and then private fleets until funds are exhausted.
New Hampshire has joined three other northern New England states in a separate Clean Cities application to DOE, which if funded would provide for a much-needed upgrade of an existing compressed natural gas (CNG) station in downtown Concord, NH. Should the grant be funded, Recovery Act SEP funds for AFV will be used for retrofitting vehicles in the state fleet to use CNG. If the grant is not funded, incremental costs of purchasing electric hybrids, propane vehicles, or other alternative fueled vehicles will be pursued instead.
Technical assistance will be provided to those state agencies that express an interest in purchasing alternative fueled vehicles, including training on how to use, refuel and maintain the vehicles. Such assistance will also be provided to municipal fleet and private sector companies interested in CNG and other alternative fuels. To that end, marketing materials will be developed on the benefits of each alternative fuel type vehicles (hybrid electric, CNG, propane, and others). Dissemination of information and marketing materials will be made under the program in at least ten instances, including on the State’s intranet, through newsletters, workshops, trainings, and other venues. The goal of such outreach is to increase understanding, acceptance and ultimately adoption of alternatives to gasoline and diesel powered vehicles both within State government as well as in the municipal and private sectors.
Preliminary estimates developed by NH OEP in consultation with Clean Cities staff from the NH Department of Environmental Services are that incremental costs for two bucket trucks, eight light-duty vehicles, and three heavy duty trucks can be covered with Recovery Act funds requested for the Expanded AFV Program.
To Be Awarded: $400,000.00 Overall Program Total: $414,663.74
For more information on this program, contact Mary Downes. (271-1715) |
