Current Projects

Summary of Current Projects/Funding

Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program (December 2009 to December 2013)
Overview: This project will convert over 1,200 vehicles across 36 fleets to propane, conduct propane road shows across 12 states, and deploy a national marketing and outreach campaign. The project is expected to eliminate over 4,000 tons of pollutants over the 4 years, displace 4 million gallons of gasoline, and create/retain many jobs. Propane is a cheaper cleaner burning transportation fuel that is a byproduct of oil a gas exploration and over 90% of it is produced domestically.

Richmond Electric Vehicle Initiative (REVi) (September 1, 2011 to June 2013)
Overview: The main objective of the Richmond Electric Vehicle Initiative is to advance the Richmond Region as an attractive and sustainable market for electric vehicle technology. A Richmond Regional Strategic Plan will be developed to prepare the Commonwealth to develop electric vehicle adoption and charging infrastructure. This infrastructure will be help prepare for the deployment of plug-in electric vehicles. Project modeling and planning activities will reflect local needs and challenges, and will include a comprehensive team of over fifty local and national experts to facilitate success.

Clean Cities Coalition Support (Ongoing)
Overview: Virginia Clean Cities provides ongoing support to the U. S. Department of Energy’s local alternate fuels deployment and educational efforts. As an officially recognized coalition since 1996, Virginia Clean Cities coalition members displace more than 40,000 tons of greenhouse gases each year and 7 million gallons of gasoline. Formerly the Hampton Roads Clean Cities Coalition, Virginia Clean Cities provides DOE with federal technical reports and local programs. The Virginia Clean Cities Coalition is supported by hundreds of local business and fleet partners who serve as stakeholder members. In addition to organizing regular stakeholder events, meetings and other education and outreach activities, Virginia Clean Cities also provides Alternative Fuel Data Center station updates and quarterly alternative fuel price reports.

DMME Technical Support (September 1, 2011 to June 30, 2013)
Overview: Virginia Clean Cities provides direct support to the state energy office on a variety of alternate fuels and domestic energy efforts related to petroleum reduction. These tasks include a diversity of programs and projects which are reviewed regularly in support of Virginia’s efforts. This has included the state natural gas vehicle efforts, the state propane vehicle efforts, and the state electric vehicle efforts as well as state biodiesel, ethanol and hydrogen programs.

Alternative Fuel Implementation Team (AFIT) (February 1, 2013 to January 15, 2014)
Overview: Virginia Clean Cities is collaborating with the North Carolina Solar Center/NC State University (NCSC) in conducting a 24 month Alternative Fuel Implementation Team (AFIT) project with federal funding support from the U.S. Department of Energy. The main purpose of the project is to reduce barriers to alternative transportation fuel adoption and will focus on the expansion of biodiesel, ethanol (E85), natural gas, propane and electricity in fueling transportation. The project culminates in the development of a Petroleum Displacement Toolkit and a Southeast Alternative Fuels Conference during the second year of the grant.

Advancing Alternative Fuel Markets Adoption and Growth (February 1, 2013 to January 31, 2013)
Overview: Virginia Clean Cities is engaged in a two-year, DOE-funded grant program called Advancing Alternative Fuel Markets Adoption and Growth. This program aims to address numerous shortfalls in the large-scale adoption of alternative fuels and deployment of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. The program will be managed and performed by a partnership of several organizations throughout Virginia, Maryland, and DC. As part of this grant, these partners will comprise the Clean Domestic Fuel Council. VCC’s primary role will be participating in this council and collaboratively planning seminars, webinars, trainings, and assisting with the creation and management of focus groups that address the projects goals of education and barrier reduction in regards to alternative fuels (with emphasis on CNG and Propane) in the DMV region. VCC will also assist in policy education initiatives and disseminate existing materials that inform stakeholders about relevant regulations that impact the process of alternative fuel deployment.

Clean Cities National Parks Initiative (November 1, 2012 to September 30, 2014)
Overview: Virginia Clean Cities is working with the Shenandoah National Park to deploy electric vehicles and propane mowers and to explain these technologies to park visitors. This partnership will help the National Park Service to accelerate the introduction and deployment of domestically produced alternative fuels and energy efficient vehicles. Over the course of the project, Virginia Clean Cities will produce an educational video about the Park’s sustainable vehicle program, and lead a project kick-off event as an education and outreach tool for Park staff, visitors, and media outlets. Virginia Clean Cities will also develop electric vehicle charger design protocols in the form of a case study, and provide other technical assistance as needed to the Park. The Shenandoah National Park is acquiring a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, an all-electric vehicle, three 220V EV chargers and 12 propane lawn mowers. Virginia Clean Cities also supports the Blue Ride Parkway’s efforts with propane service vehicles.

Green Operators (GO) Program
Overview: VCC provides support for the Virginia Port Authority’s Green Operators program. Specifically, VCC helped come up with the pilot programs framework, provides technical assistance to potential GO Carrier participants, works to create and expand the GO Shipper components of the program, creates GO program materials, and serves as the liaison between program participants, the VPA, VDEQ, MARAMA, and EPA.