Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition

Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition
Spring Newsletter

In This Issue

Annual Meeting in Bozeman July 1

Attend the EPAC Conference June 29-30

Clean Cities Grant Proposals

People Pushing Hybrids

Voices for Progress

Join Our List

NEW HORIZONS FOR CLEAN CITIES

SPRING/2009

Annual Meeting in Bozeman July 1st

Dear Stakeholders and Friends:

The past months have brought new life to the Clean Cities program and subsequent opportunity to individual coalitions across the nation, including the Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition. It also means that there is more to accomplish, including potential projects such as funding for vehicles, infrastructure and alternative fuels. These new opportunities and accompanying challenges will be addressed at our annual meeting in Bozeman, MT on Wednesday, July 1 beginning at 9 A.M. at the Grantree Inn on 7th Ave.
Please come help chart the future of our Clean Cities coalition. Our mission to decrease the use of petroleum and improve air quality has never been more pertinent or urgent. We began this planning at our January meeting with a small number of stakeholders. Hopefully, summertime travel conditions will allow broader input from our stakeholders as important questions are addressed and plans developed.

Clean Cities coalitions, including ours, are now eligible for $20,000.00 in annual programmatic support from DOE along with increased responsibilities. In addition, we should know the outcome of a grant proposal we submitted in late March and its effect on our function and future. Come find out more and stake your place in coalition operations and accomplishments . RSVP to Coordinator Shuptrine at sandyshuptrine@wyom.net or by calling (307) 733-6371 by June 15th. The Grantree is offering a special room rate of $89/night. Call (406) 587-5261 for your reservation. There is no registration fee for our meeting. Lunch will be offered for $12. A full agenda for the meeting will be available by June 1 on our web site www.yellowstonetetoncleanenergy.org.

ATTEND THE EPAC CONFERENCE JUNE 29-30 AT THE GRANTREE

Food vs. Fuel Debate at Annual Ethanol Meet

As an extra bonus, the Ethanol Producers and Consumers (EPAC) will be conducting an information-packed conference on biofuels for the two days prior to our meeting, also at the Grantree. It will be an excellent opportunity for those interested in local economic development and the "food vs. fuel" debate to gain a more in depth understanding of the issues and opportunities for the Northern Rockies. For more information go to the EPAC web site www.epac@ethanolmt.org

CLEAN CITIES GRANT PROPOSALS--FIVE NW COALITIONS APPLY

Partnerships for Clean Cities Grant Proposals

Our coalition was the lead for a collaborative grant proposal to the U.S Department of Energy that was submitted in late March on behalf of five Clean Cities coalitions in the Northwest to create a total of seven alternative fueling sites, including three in our coalition's region. There was clear preference stated for Clean Cities associated projects in the grant criteria. All the coordinators involved scrambled to identify partners who were "ready to go" on relatively short notice--underlining the importance of advance planning with potential fleets and governments who may have an interest in participating in such opportunities in the future. This time, our partners--fleets and retailers--had strongest interest in compressed natural gas that could fuel their fleets and also be available to the public.

Coordinators all agreed that none of their organizations alone had the ability to respond to the solicitation in a competitive way unless we gathered our resources to propose a framework upon which we could all continue to build if the grant is awarded. We were able to identify business partners who had interest in providing alternative fuel adjacent to the "scenic loop" of interstate highway corridors in the Northwest. Unfortunately, none of our local government stakeholders were ready to participate, but more opportunities are anticipated as the nation dedicates itself to using cleaner, renewable fuels. Looking ahead for your communities, agency or business may provide a head start when the next opportunity arises--September is a possibility. Matching funds so far have been a requirement, although often in-kind contributions are eligible. Learn more about possibilities from your coordinator at (307) 733-6371.

Our coalition has also signed on as a potential partner in two educational grant proposals and supported two others, one to clean up the air in the Green River Basin in Wyoming.

Come discover or let us know how your business or organization may benefit from such opportunities as they become available--in Bozeman on July 1.

PEOPLE PUSHING HYBRID ELECTRICS (PHEVS)

Long time YTCEC subcontractor, Jake Lodato, has been
involved with plug-in hybrids in his home territory of central Washington State. They recently converted 14 stock Toyota Prius vehicles to plug-ins using the Hymotion conversion kit with the A123 lithium ion battery pack. The vehicles are part of a larger western fleet being electronically monitored by Jim Francfort, Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity Coordinator at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The INL takes data transmitted by each vehicle out in real world driving conditions and creates a database for "benchmark" purposes, allowing fleet managers and the public to compare manufacturer claims with actual field experience. See the AVTA website: http://avt.inl.gov Check out www.plugincenter.com to see what the Wenathcee Advanced Vehicle Innovations (AVI) group has been doing.

Locally, the Jackson Town Council and Teton County Board of Commissioners signed a plug-in hybrid resolution in 2007. Plug-ins are one means of reducing energy use and cost. Is your community interested in joining the plug-in movement? Contact your coordinator for more information or, better yet, plan on attending next year's PowerUP! Summit Conference in Wenatchee to hear first hand about plug-in testing that is underway.

VOICES FOR PROGRESS

"The Environmental and Energy Study Institute is the most effective group inside the beltway at educating Congressional offices" according to one senior Senate committee staffer. They provide congressional briefings, fact sheets and work one-on-one with congressional offices to present science-based information to inform the development of energy policy and balance the overwhelming input of paid lobbyists. Please check out their web site www.eesi.org and consider providing them modest support to help advance the formulation of sound energy policy. There is strength in numbers!

LOOKING FOR AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

To Be in Place by October

At the January board meeting in Idaho Falls, our coalition board agreed to begin a search for a new, full-time executive director for the coalition to be on board by October. Addition of such a person will strengthen coalition outreach, influence and results. It is a major step that requires board attention and deliberation. I (Sandy) will endeavor to bring background information you may need, but welcome any requests or suggestions beforehand.

It seems 2009 could become a year of significant progress in the Clean Cities projects, both nationally and locally. Please get and stay involved as we work together to create a more secure clean energy future for the USA. As always, your input is valued and welcome.

Sincerely,

Sandy Shuptrine, Coordinator
Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition

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