Join NYCLHVCC for a day of volunteering! On September 10th, 2010 from 9-3pm NYCLHVCC will participate in Cool Roofing, a city-wide project working to help reduce climate change, improve air quality, reduce roof and building temperatures, and create net-energy savings.

If you would like to participate in a day of volunteering with us, please email Jessica at:  Jessica@nyclhvcc.org

*lunch will be provided.

Did you know that biodiesel is the only advanced biofuel currently available in the U.S. on a commercial scale?

You can learn more about why the EPA has defined biodiesel as an “advanced biofuel” and what it means for the future. NBB appreciates the support of Biodiesel Alliance and Backers and is asking for your input as we work to grow biodiesel use. Please join the webinar to discuss biodiesel’s role as an advanced biofuel.

U.S. produced biodiesel is the most environmentally friendly fuel available today. Biodiesel’s potential as an improving and evolving industry already surpasses “next generation” fuels.

NBB Director of Sustainability, Don Scott, will lead the discussion and answer questions.

Biodiesel: America’s Advanced Biofuel

When: August 26th

3-4 pm EDT

Click here to register for the webinar!

NYPD Introduces Ford Fusion Hybrid Patrol Cars to its Fleet

In an effort to reduce New York City’s government carbon footprint by 30%, the NYPD has introduced 30 and soon to be 102 Ford Fusion Hybrid patrol cars to its fleet. The Ford Fusion gets an EPA of 41 miles per gallon- more than double the current Chevy Impalas get. Mayor Bloomberg said, “These vehicles use less fuel and emit less pollutants into the air we breathe.” This exciting introduction is just the beginning of large fleets in NYC going green.

On Monday, August 16, 2010, New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, signed in to law a mandate to blend biodiesel with all heating oil sold and used in all five boroughs of the city.

“If Bioheat® can make it in New York, then Bioheat® can make it anywhere,” says Daniel Falcone of Ultra Green. He continues, “I’m proud that Ultra Green’s active leadership over the past two and half years has helped craft this mandate. It wasn’t easy; several times the bill stalled, but we kept working with the right people to get it done. Ultra Green is positioned to help make the New York City Bioheat® mandate a success! We have the largest network of biodiesel terminals in the New York Metro region and are prepared to supply biodiesel to all of the refiners and terminals in New York Harbor.” said Daniel Falcone, Ultra Green Wholesale Manager, after witnessing the Mayor sign the bill in to law.

Congratulations to the New York Metro Region and Ultra Green!

In a recent New York Times article, “Wind Turbines are Coming to NYC, and Not Just Offshore” describes how NYC is paving the way to making wind power a real resource to offset the use of fossil fuels. With a plan to build five wind towers, about 30 stories high, the hope is to generate 7.5 megawatts which would power almost 2,000 homes as soon as 2013.

New York  is actually very windy. Therefore, it makes an ideal place to build these (and more) wind towers. If wind towers can be built to offset fuel consumption in homes and buildings, why not in vehicles? In a study performed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) on the west coast found that, “if utilities generate 27 percent of their electricity from wind and solar energy across the Western Interconnection grid, it would lower carbon emissions by 25 to 45 percent, depending on the future price of natural gas. It would also decrease fuel and emissions costs by 40 percent.” The more renewable energy we use to power our electrical grid, like wind turbines, the greener NYC’s electric vehicles that emit zero emissions on the road can be. Wind turbines can now be thought of as a way to generate energy to power the city’s buildings AND vehicles.

In addition to building these wind turbines to create clean energy alternatives, President Obama visited ZBB Energy Corporation in Menomomee, WI on August 17, 2010 to discuss the potential job creation this new technology will provide. In his remarks to the workers at ZBB Energy Corporation he said, “Here at ZBB, you’re building batteries to store electricity from solar cells and wind turbines. And you’ve been able to export batteries around the globe, and that’s helping lead this new industry. For years, we’ve heard about manufacturing jobs disappearing overseas. Well, companies like this are showing us how manufacturing can come back right here in the United States of America, right back here to Wisconsin.” In addition to the job creation the building of the wind turbines will create, many more industries and companies will be created and grow to capture the energy the wind turbines can produce.

Seems like a wind-wind situation to us!

Allianz, one of the world’s leading producers of specialized cleaning equipment, recently announced its introduction of the world’s first purpose-built electric hybrid street sweeper- THE ALLIANZ 4000 Electric Hybrid.

New York City’s Department of Transportation and New York City’s Department of Sanitation are two of the many major customers of Allianz.  NYCDOT, DSNY and Allianz can be found working together  to keep our streets, highways and airport runways clean while keeping our air clean too. With up to 40% reduction in fuel use as well as emission and noise reduction, the 4000 Electric Hybrid Street Sweeper is the new vehicle you can look forward to having on the road!

This is a contest put together by fleet managers for fleet managers! It is a blueprint to go green: the most comprehensive plan yet, designed to green your fleet, match technologies with fuels and cut costs.

The first prize is $1,000!

To enter in the contest, click here.

Deadline for applications is: September 15, 2010

In a Sundance award winning documentary, GASLAND, now showing on HBO until the end of 2012: NYCLHVCC’s Board Member Steven Levy is interviewed

In a new film about “fracking”, a method of drilling and extracting natural gas, Josh Fox and his team of film-makers unveil the dangers “fracking” is causing our water, air, and overall environment. NYCLHVCC’s board member Steven Levy is interviewed in this documentary on HBO. Check out the trailer below.

The Natural Gas Vehicle Institute has just posted their Fall calendar listing NGV and CNG Station trainings!

Highlights include:

• Natural Gas Vehicle Driver and Mechanic Safety Training
• CNG Fuel Inspector Training Course
• CNG Fueling Station Design Certification Course
• CNG Fueling Station Operation and Maintenance Certification Course

Locations range from North Carolina to California! Click HERE to view course details and register.

In a blog post by Todd Woody, the question of which electric car is for you is addressed: the Nissan Leaf or the Chevy Volt?

Check out this blog post Nissan Leaf or Chevy Volt and see which one could be a better fit for you!

The GM Volt

The Nissan Leaf