Coalition Wrap-up

2015

2015 Was an Outstanding Year for Alternative Fuels and the North Florida Clean Fuels Coalition!

Two new compressed natural gas stations opened with two more on the way. Two liquefied natural gas facilities are in development. A new propane station for fleets and many more EV charging stations are now available. A great turnout for the Alternative Fuels Expo, Drive Electric Rally and Florida Energy Summit. With these accomplishments and more on the way, our region is being recognized as a growing leader in alternative fuels.

ALTERNATIVE FUELS EXPOThe North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (North Florida TPO) and the North Florida Clean Fuels Coalition hosted the 2015 Florida Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV) Expo at the University of North Florida’s Adam W. Herbert University Center in February. More than 100 attendees gathered to experience the latest AFV’s, learn about alternative fuel and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and hear success stories from companies who have switched to alternative fuels.

TPO Executive Director Jeff Sheffield reviewed the Alternative Fuels Master Plan initial investments and announced the ChargeWell EV charging station program. Peter King, JEA Program Manager, explained JEA’s Drive Electric initiative and the ChargeWell station application process. The event also featured presentations from Champion Brands President Earl Benton and ThyssenKrupp Elevators Director of Fleet Tom Armstrong describing their successful transitions to alternative fuel fleets.

After the formal program attendees checked out the latest AFV’s including consumer, private and public fleet vehicles powered by CNG, LNG, propane autogas and electricity exhibited by Amerigas, Claude Nolan Cadillac, Coggin Nissan, Ferrellgas, Florida Transportation Systems, Inc., Lively Technical Center, Nimnicht Chevrolet, NovaCharge, Phil Axt, Precision Alternative Fuel Conversions, Tom Bush BMW and Waste Pro.

Earl Benton shares his CNG story with Expo attendees.

NATURAL GASChampion BrandsFebruary 26, 2015 marked the opening of an amp Trillium, LLC compressed natural gas (CNG) station at Champion Brands, 9711 Mining Drive off Highway 1 near the intersection of Interstates 295 and 95 in Jacksonville’s Southside Industrial Park.

This first public access CNG fueling station in northeast Florida is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and uses a public access card reader system. The station includes two dual hose dispensers, allowing two semitrailers to fuel at the same time, and features Trillium CNG’s proprietary fast-fill hydraulic intensifier compressor.

The station host, Champion Brands, Inc. has begun replacing their diesel fleet with CNG trucks. The first wave of CNG trucks hit the road October 1, 2014. Their diesel fleet will be fully replaced with CNG by July 2017.

GATEGATE and amp Trillium, LLC, the joint venture between ampCNG and Trillium CNG™, celebrated northeast Florida’s second public access CNG station opening Wednesday, October 14, 2015.

The station at 4100 Heckscher Drive is conveniently located near I-295 and JAXPORT. This site will meet the needs of retail and commercial customers, and serve as a catalyst for public and private sector fleets to convert to this cleaner, more efficient fuel.

St. Johns CountyNopetro is building a new CNG facility on State Road 16 east of I-95 for St. Johns County to fuel vehicles that have been converted to run on CNG. The station will be available to other CNG vehicles as well. The North Florida TPO is providing $732,000 to purchase approximately 130 mid-duty bi-fuel CNG fleet vehicles.

Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)The North Florida TPO provided the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) with $2.75 million to help construct a CNG station that will serve the JTA fleet and the public. Clean Energy broke ground at the 100 North Myrtle Avenue location in March. A grand opening is anticipated January 2016.

JTA expects to save $9.2 million over 15 years by converting at least 100 buses from diesel to CNG. Clean Energy’s Facility Modification team has also been tapped to retrofit JTA’s two maintenance facilities to accommodate the new CNG fleet.

Eagle LNG PartnersEagle LNG Partners are planning a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility on Heckscher Drive to serve domestic and international markets. Eagle LNG will receive and liquefy natural gas, temporarily store the produced LNG, and periodically load LNG onto ocean-going vessels for export to countries currently using heavy fuel oil or diesel for power generation, and for use in domestic marine fueling.

The project will have a processing capacity of 300,000 to 900,000 gallons of LNG per day, with on-site LNG storage of 4 to 8 million gallons. Eagle LNG expects construction to begin in 2016, and start-up and commissioning in 2018.

Pivotal LNG and WesPacPivotal LNG and WesPac signed a long-term agreement with TOTE to provide LNG to fuel TOTE’s two new state-of-the-art container ships. Pivotal LNG and WesPac are addressing the growing demand for LNG in the southeast by constructing a new natural gas liquefaction facility near Dames Point. The land has been purchased, the engineering and permitting process is advancing, and the new Jacksonville LNG facility is expected to be operational in mid-2016. The site provides the capability to add additional natural gas liquefaction and LNG storage capacity in the future in order to supply other customers in Jacksonville and regional markets.

Natural Gas Projects in ProcessFlorida East Coast Railway (FEC) is testing their new LNG locomotives and fuel cars purchased in part with $375,000 from the North Florida TPO. The City of Jacksonville is acquiring up to seven new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) sanitation trucks with the TPO covering $315,000 in CNG equipment costs. The JAXPORT Clean Truck study is underway with truck data collection. Stay tuned for more updates in 2016.

FLORIDA ENERGY SUMMITThe Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the JAX Chamber hosted the 2015 Florida Energy Summit October 14-16, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in Jacksonville. This year the summit showcased how Northeast Florida is leveraging America’s evolving energy sector to grow an economy that will serve its residents today and allow future generations to thrive.

North Florida TPO Executive Director Jeff Sheffield moderated the session “Transportation: Driving the Energy Revolution.” The speakers – David Jaskolski, Pivotal LNG; Chris Turner, Florida Natural Gas; Peter King, JEA; Jeff Cliett, AmeriGas Propane; and Fran Chinnici, Florida East Coast Railway – discussed how corporations are transitioning their fleets to alternative fuel vehicles as well as the role of local governments and the private sector in building the infrastructure to serve them.

AmerigasAmerigas opened a new propane autogas station at 9836 Beach Boulevard in March. At the grand opening event Edward Collins, Valdosta City Schools Transportation Supervisor; Rodney Symonds, Putnam County School District Director of Transportation; Shane Sheffield, owner of Tank Swap Taxi; and Scott King, owner/operator of The Lawn King Landscaping, explained how and why they made the switch to propane autogas. Attendees also inspected propane vehicles and took a ride in a propane school bus.

PROPANE

North Florida Drive Electric RallyAs part of National Drive Electric Week, the North Florida TPO, JEA and Whole Foods hosted a Drive Electric Rally at Whole Foods Market in September. Over 100 EV drivers and the EV-curious came together to discuss EV experiences. Representatives from Tom Bush BMW and Coggin Chevrolet Avenues provided “Ride and Drive” opportunities.

The program featured a mayoral proclamation and representatives from the North Florida TPO, JEA, North Florida Clean Fuels Coalition, Sierra Club and Whole Foods. A DJ kept the crowd rocking as we announced EV swag giveaways and Whole Foods provided refreshments. Even though we dodged a few showers, rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the growing number of EV advocates. You can watch video highlights at www.chargewell.net.

ELECTRIC

ChargeWellThe ChargeWell EV charging station installations are in full swing. Twenty - six stations were awarded and most have been installed. Once the stations are active, they will be marked with signs and stencils. You can keep track of station locations and their status via the PlugShare app or on PlugShare.com. The North Florida TPO is in the planning stages to expand the ChargeWell program across the four-county region by installing additional stations in 2016.

ChargeWell Stations Awarded September 2015*# Location Address1 UNF 4892 First Coast Tech Pkwy.2 Town of Orange Park 2042 Park Ave.3 MOSH 1025 Museum Circle4 San Marco Merchants Association 4446 Hendricks Ave. #1415 City of Jacksonville Library Garage 33 West Duval St.6 City of Jacksonville Yates Garage 200 East Adams St.7 JTA King’s Avenue Garage 1003 Kings Ave.8 JaxChamber 3 Independent Dr.9 A1A Solar Contracting 10418 New Berlin Rd Unit 223/22410 The 900 Building 900 University Blvd. 11 Larry’s Giant Subs Corporate Headquarters 4479 Deerwood Lake Pkwy.12 Native Sun Baymeadows 11030 Baymeadows Rd.13 Ramco Parkway (River City Marketplace) 14964 Max Leggett Pkwy.14 Cummer Museum 854 Riverside Ave.15 A Stitch In Time 5724 St Augustine Rd.16 A Child’s Place Montessori School 3718 Salisbury Rd.17 Environmental Services, Inc. 7220 Financial Way18 Bold City Brewery 2670-7 Rosselle St.19 Brooks Rehabilitation 3599 University Blvd. South20 Fidelity/Black Knight 601 Riverside Ave. Bldg. 521 North Florida TPO 980 North Jefferson St.22 Jacksonville Zoo 370 Zoo Pkwy.23 Whole Foods Market 10601 San Jose Blvd.24 JAX Metro Credit Union 9580 Hutchinson Park Dr.25 Native Sun Mandarin 10000 San Jose Blvd.26 Fairfield Inn & Suites 1300 Airport Rd.

*Installations began in October, 2015. Locations subject to change. See www.ChargeWell.net for most current information.

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Phil Axt display his Tesla self-driving features.

Florida Automated Vehicles SummitOur region was again in the spotlight as the Florida Engineering Society and Florida Department of Transportation hosted the 2015 Florida Automated Vehicles Summit December 1-2, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront and JAXPORT Cruise Terminal. Several alternative fuel vehicles, including Teslas participated in the exhibition and test drives at the Cruise Terminal.

What do automated vehicles have to do with alternative fuel vehicles? As automakers are improving technology to incorporate alternative fuel sources, they are also using the opportunity to add new safety and convenience features. The latest Tesla Model S versions are equipped with hardware to allow for incremental introduction of self-driving technology including forward radar, forward-looking camera, 12 long-range ultrasonic sensors positioned to sense 16 feet around the car in every direction at all speeds, and a high-precision digitally-controlled electric assist braking system.

In October 2015, Tesla released a software upgrade that provides a fully integrated autopilot system involving four different feedback modules: camera, radar, ultrasonics, and GPS. Autopilot allows Model S to steer within a lane, change lanes with the simple tap of a turn signal, and manage speed by using active, traffic-aware cruise control. Digital control of motors, brakes, and steering helps avoid collisions from the front and sides, as well as preventing the car from wandering off the road. The car can also scan for a parking space, alert you when one is available, and parallel park on command.

CLEAN CITIES DESIGNATION

We submitted our package for official “Clean Cities” designation by the Department of Energy this summer. The application process includes developing a program plan detailing our Coalition’s history, background, geography, demographics, stakeholders, AFV and technologies in use, structure, coordination and governance, as well as outreach, activities, goals, action steps and commitments. Working groups representing each fuel type collaborated to provide background data, set goals and determine strategies to achieve them.

Obtaining designation is not an easy process and can take up to a year after submittal. We’ve received very positive feedback so far and are awaiting the next steps which include refining our program plan and participating in an interactive webinar presentation interview. Achieving designation will provide greater access to resources, funding and support.

FIRST RESPONDER SAFETY TRAINING FOR ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES

Alternative fuel vehicles are different from conventional vehicles, so it’s critical that first responders be properly trained to deal with accidents involving these vehicles. The Florida Clean Cities Coalitions are teaming with the U.S. Department of Energy and National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) to offer first responder safety training.

The Florida Clean Cities training program will offer two classes in 2016: Gaseous Fuels (natural gas and propane) and Electric Drive Vehicles; and Train-the-Trainer Course for Firefighter Training Officers and Faculty. Details will be published as the classes are scheduled.

Wanda Forrest, Coordinator (904) 306-7514 • wforrest@northfloridatpo.com

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The North Florida TPO (Transportation Planning Organization) is the host agency for the North Florida Clean Fuels Coalition. Formed in 2010, this non-profit organization provides an educational forum encouraging petroleum reduction for

business, government and non-profit agencies in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties. The TPO provides funds to support the Coalition and pursue initiatives to advance alternative fuels.

Sponsored by the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization980 North Jefferson Street • Jacksonville FL 32209

www.northfloridacleanfuels.com