FAQ!

(Frequently Asked Questions)

Q:

Where can I get information to start up an idle reduction campaign?

Where can I get a list of clean diesel projects that have been implemented in my area?

Where can I get samples of clean construction contract, bid, grant or NEPA language?

Where can I get information on airport ground support equipment strategies?

Where can I get information on best construction site practices that reduce emissions?

What is the Smartway Transport program and how does it compare with the SEDC freight and Green Corridor programs?

Where can I find an accurate list of alternative fuel stations in my area so that I know what fueling options I have?

What is the Green Corridors program and how did it come about?

Why are ports and distribution centers considered part of the Freight program and why are we interested in it?

I don’t own any trucks and I don’t operate a port, but I want to do something to help reduce the impacts of goods movement. What can I do?

What is the Southeast Diesel Collaborative and how can it help me reduce diesel emissions in my area?

Why is EPA working to reduce diesel emissions? Where can I find more information?

Why is the use of verified technology important in reducing diesel emissions?

What other potential funding sources are there for my project besides EPA grants?

What is biodiesel?

A:

Where can I get information to start up an idle reduction campaign?
EPA has an Idle Reduction Campaign Do-it-yourself Kit which provides extensive information including templates that can be used to implement an idle reduction program in your community. While this material is designed for school bus program , it can be modified for a County or company program for any type of fleet vehicle on or off road. The kit contains information on how the program saves money and redcues emissions, technology options, a calculator for estimating costs and benefits, case studies from other programs, a do it yourself kit, a teachers guide (which also can be modified for educating employees or citizens.

Where can I get a list of clean diesel projects that have been implemented in my area?
EPA has lists of clean disel projects that have been funded by EPA at http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/projects/index.htm. Note, you can select national. Emerging, Smartway or Demonstration type of grant programs. For information on non-EPA funded projects in the southeast, this ifnoramtion can be access at (INSERT LINK WHERE WE PLAN TO PUT THIS ON THE SEDC WEBPAGE). These reports are updated every 3 months. For a more tailor project listing, contact Kelly Sheckler or Alan Powell at the EPA Region 4 office.

Where can I get samples of clean construction contract, bid, grant or NEPA language?
EPA has a variety of clean construction contract language at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/construction/contract-lang.htm. For sample langauge which could be used for bids, grants or NEPA reviews go the resources section of the SEDC webpage at: www.southeastdiesel.org

Where can I get information on airport ground support equipment strategies?
Guidance on airport emissions and reductions including a report entitled “Technical Support for Development of Airport Ground Support Equipment Emission Reductions” can be found at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/policy/pag_transp.htm#a. These documents and links provide guidance for establishing strategies to reduce airport emissions, including emissions from airport ground support equipment (GSE) and ground access vehicles. These documents were developed for regional, state, and local agencies, airports, airlines, and other organizations that want to reduce airport pollution.

Where can I get information on best construction site practices that reduce emissions?
A variety of clean diesel construction project case studies can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/construction/casestudies.htm. Also refer to http://www.nctcog.org/trans/air/programs/fleet/constructionfleets/index.asp, for best practices for construction equipment. To learn more about Clean Construction: A Guide for the Construction Industry and Policy Makers @ www.ur.com/files/website/live/about/white_papers/URWP_Clean_Construction_White_Papers.pdf

What is the Smartway Transport program and how does it compare with the SEDC freight and Green Corridor programs?
The Smartway Transport program is a national program of excellence and encourages shipping and carrier companies to improve the overall efficiency of their supply chain through fuel economy improvements, diesel retrofits and logistics. More information can be found at http://www.epa.gov/smartway/transport/index.htm

Where can I find an accurate list of alternative fuel stations in my area so that I know what fueling options I have?
One of the many SEDC partners is the Clean Cities Program which is supported by the Department of Energy. One resource that the DOE offers is a fuel locator. This is the most up to date site and is located at: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/locator/stations/

What is the Green Corridors program and how did it come about?
The Green Corridors program is an SEDC program that focuses on reducing unnecessary truck idling and on decreasing the use of foreign fuels by offering reliable alternatives along the interstates in the Southeast. The program was developed through the SEDC partners meeting in response to the desire to ensure a secure supply of fuel in case of natural disaster and to save fuel by offering alternatives to idling during mandatory rest periods. The vision is that there will be a nationwide network of locations where truckers can obtain a variety of alternative fuels (including biodiesel, CNG and LPG) and rest without the need for idling to keep warm and cool. Options to eliminate the idling include truck stop electrification; Battery operated air conditioners, bunk heaters and auxiliary power units.

Why are ports and distribution centers considered part of the Freight program and why are we interested in it?
Ports are the main drop off point for imported goods and the final destination prior to exporting. As such, there is a significant amount of energy used to move containers and other equipment off of steamships and on to long haul trailers. Much of the large equipment used in the port industry has historically been operated by diesel engines, and almost 100% of the water craft are operated on distillate fuel such as diesel. Since there are many communities that have grown up around ports, the emission from these engines are of particular concern even when the National Ambient air Quality Standards are being met. Distribution centers pose a similar problem because of the large amount of freight being transferred both near the port and near the final destination. These centers, while usually in industrialized areas, are a hub for trucks which in many cases travel through local communities to get the cargo.

I don’t own any trucks and I don’t operate a port, but I want to do something to help reduce the impacts of goods movement. What can I do?
One of the neat things about transportation is that there are opportunities for individual citizens to help shape the future transportation plans of a community. You should contact your local metropolitan planning organization or local transportation department and ask them about their transportation plans. You can raise issues about the need to plan for growth in freight movement through communities and the need to look way into the future to address infrastructure needs of the future.

What is the Southeast Diesel Collaborative and how can it help me reduce diesel emissions in my area?
The Southeast Diesel Collaborative is a partnership between federal, state and local governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders in the Southeast to reduce air pollution from diesel engines. The goal is to improve air quality by encouraging the use of clean, renewable energy and by encouraging the use of technologies and practices to reduce diesel emissions. The SEDC membership is composed of representatives from air quality agencies, energy offices, departments of transportation and agriculture, as well as vehicle and equipment manufacturers, alternative fuel providers, and fleet managers. The SEDC’s strategies include encouraging the use of bio-fuels and the conservation of fuel to achieve energy independence, the installation of clean retrofit technologies, the replacement of older, high emitting engines with cleaner engines, and the sharing of best practices to reduce diesel emissions. The SEDC serves as a resource for networking among those interested in the reduction of diesel emissions. Information about the SEDC and other resources to reduce diesel emissions may be found at: www.southeastdiesel.org.

Why is EPA working to reduce diesel emissions? Where can I find more information?
The diesel engine continues to be a vital workhorse in the United States, powering many of its large trucks, buses, farm, railroad, marine and construction equipment. Expectations are that diesel engine use will increase in these areas will increase due to the superior performance characteristics and fuel efficiency of the diesel engine. However, diesel exhaust contains a complex mixture of gases and particulates. Human exposure to exhaust comes from both highway (on-road) and non-road uses of diesel engines. Long-term inhalation is likely to pose a lung cancer hazard to humans, and short-term exposure can cause health risks such as aggravation of asthma, decreased lung capabilities, and other health issues. Diesel engines are also very durable and remain in service for extended periods of time, sometimes as long as 30 years or more. While newer diesel engines have to meet strict emission limits, there is a very large number of older, high polluting engines still being used. The SEDC is working to help reduce the emissions from these older engines through a voluntary program which encourages the use of cleaner, renewable fuels, installation of clean technologies, replacement of older engines, and the use of best practices, such as idle reduction programs. Other information on EPA’s National Clean Diesel Campaign can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/index.htm.

Why is the use of verified technology important in reducing diesel emissions?
EPA’s diesel technology Verification Process evaluates the emission reduction performance and durability of retrofit technologies and provides users with confidence the technology will perform as expected. Before being placed on the Verified Technology List, the technology must go through a thorough technical review and tightly controlled testing to quantify statistically significant levels of emission reductions. California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) also conducts its own verification process. Technologies verified through CARB are also recognized by EPA. When considering the use of a given verified technology it is very important to look at the specific application being considered. Among other items, this involves evaluating if the vehicle will be used on-road or off-road, the manufacturer, year, model size and horsepower rating of the engine; and for temperature sensitive devices such as diesel oxidation catalysts the duty cycle and temperature profile of the vehicle in question. This involves the use of data logging equipment on the vehicle being considered for retrofit to insure that it meets the temperature of the device being evaluated. More information on technology verification can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/verification/.

What other potential funding sources are there for my project besides EPA grants?
The Southeast Diesel Collaborative coordinates with other state and federal agencies to promote funding opportunities. The U.S. Department of Energy has several programs that could potentially be used to reduce diesel emissions. The DOE’s Clean Cities program is an effort to promote the use of alternative fuels in an area, including biodiesel. Please see http://www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/ for more information. Information about the Department of Agriculture’s renewable energy program, which has a number of components including bio-fuel use and feedstock development, may be found at www.usda.go v/energy. The Federal Aviation Administration has established the Voluntary Airport Low Emission (VALE) program. More information is available at http://www.faa.gov/airports/environmental/vale/. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program has been used to reduce diesel emissions from highway diesel engines. Information about that program may be found at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/air_quality/cmaq/. Information regarding Mecklenburg County’s Grants to Replace Aging Diesel Engines (GRADE) program can be accessed at http://www.charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/AirQuality/Pages/GRADE.aspx.

What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a clean, renewable fuel (meeting ASTM 6751 standards) that can be manufactured from vegetable oils or animal fats by a transesterification process. Biodiesel is not used cooking oil, although it can be made from used cooking oil. It can be used as petro diesel substitute or additive. It is frequently used in blends of 5% (B5) to 20% (B20) biodiesel and the remainder is conventional diesel. Biodiesel fuel can reduce PM, HC, and CO emissions. Pure biodiesel is also called B100. Biodiesel must be registered with EPA. Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine without modification, although owners with engines that have natural rubber seals should change those seals to a recommended material. It is recommended that biodiesel be stored in a separate, dedicated biodiesel tank. In colder climates, tanks may need to be blanketed to prevent gelling. Cloud point should be specified by the fleet manager in fleet operations. Check the South East Diesel Collaborative website for purchasing information and tips. Rubber seals, gaskets, and hoses may need to be replaced if a blend higher than B20 is used. Biodiesel is highly solvent and will clean the fuel tank and fuel lines. For this reason, care and inspection of the fuel system, hoses and filters is necessary and must be monitored to correct any plugging or hose deterioration issues before problems occur as a result of this cleaning process. Clean, well-maintained and monitored equipment should be used to store and dispense bio-fuels, to minimize the effects of water contamination, sediment pick-up, extended storage, temperature extremes, and their subsequent problems. To minimize cold weather-related problems and gelling, biodiesel blends with biodiesel fuels should be stored in tanks that can ensure the fuel temperature will remain at last 5 degree F to 10 degree F above the cloud point of the blend. The National Biodiesel Board has much information for both producers and users of biodiesel at www.nbb.org. The Department of Energy also has much information on biodiesel. This can be accessed at: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel.html