This podcast episode is a restream from STTTREAM EV - my second podcast. David Chernack from Empire Clean Cities is doing some great work to clean our cities air by removing heavy polluting trucks from the streets. To see exactly how he is doing this, make sure you check out this episode with Empire Clean Cities.
Check out Empire Clean Cities’ website: https://empirecleancities.org
Get in touch with David Chernack: david@empirecleancities.org
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Clean our cities, to improve our air quality, improve our way of life, and help us switch to a fuel that's more sustainable one nonprofit organization that is working to help the transportation industry make the transition to cleaner fuels is empire clean cities.
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.925170068I had the amazing opportunity to speak with their program manager, David Chernack, where he explains some of the amazing work that they are doing to help support and find funding for fleet owners to make this transition even easier. 3 00:01:05,952.414965986 --> 00:01:13,292.414965986 /And so to kick us off, David, do you mind just telling us about Empire Clean Cities and what you guys do? Yeah, you betcha. 4 00:01:13,297.414965986 --> 00:01:17,609.430839002 So Empire Clean Cities we're a 501c3 nonprofit environmental organization. 5 00:01:17,799.430839002 --> 00:01:21,93.33106576 Our mission is to ensure clean air quality for future generations. 6 00:01:21,210.519274376 --> 00:01:26,507.299319728 We're the USDOE's designated clean cities for the New York City and lower Hudson Valley area. 7 00:01:26,507.299319728 --> 00:01:33,74.487528345 But we're just one of over 75 coalitions nationwide which are supported by the DOE and share similar missions. 8 00:01:33,123.603174603 --> 00:01:51,216.50566893 To increase air quality and protect air quality for future generations by ensuring that citizens and stakeholders and fleets have access to the information they need to transition to low and zero emission vehicles in the transportation sector Empire Clean Cities supports a lot of different projects in the New York City. 9 00:01:51,386.50566893 --> 00:01:51,866.50566893 Area. 10 00:01:51,866.50566893 --> 00:01:57,571.14285714 And we're also part of a lot of national coalitions, but both with other Clean Cities, coalitions and with, or other organizations. 11 00:01:57,571.14285714 --> 00:02:06,410.07709751 So we wear a lot of different hats and serve a lot of different roles, but it's all in the service of ensuring that air quality in the New York City area and our region and our country is good. 12 00:02:06,415.07709751 --> 00:02:10,886.59637188 And that we transition over to as many alternative fuel vehicles as we can. 13 00:02:10,886.59637188 --> 00:02:13,249.88435374 Whether that's biodiesel ethanol, hydrogen. 14 00:02:13,732.91156463 --> 00:02:16,801.24489796 Cell, electric vehicles com compress natural gas. 15 00:02:17,20.97278912 --> 00:02:20,933.6031746 We're alternative fuel agnostic and we support all sorts of alternative fuels. 16 00:02:21,83.6031746 --> 00:02:22,133.6031746 And my name is David Chernak. 17 00:02:22,133.6031746 --> 00:02:24,273.58049887 I'm the program manager for Empire Clean Cities. 18 00:02:24,278.58049887 --> 00:02:24,878.58049887 Very cool. 19 00:02:25,28.58049887 --> 00:02:32,618.58049887 And when did you start with Empire Clean Cities? I started with them in the summer of 2021 after I finished my master's degree. 20 00:02:32,618.58049887 --> 00:02:34,508.58049887 So I've been with them for about a year and a half now. 21 00:02:34,730.59213081 --> 00:02:35,65.59213081 Nice. 22 00:02:35,125.59213081 --> 00:02:42,931.82795848 And how long has the Empire Clean Cities been around for? Yeah, I think E C was designated in 2007, so about 15 years now. 23 00:02:42,961.82795848 --> 00:02:47,581.82795848 But the Clean Cities Coalition and the program itself has been around for I believe, 30 years. 24 00:02:47,581.82795848 --> 00:02:49,751.82795848 That's right, we're celebrating our 30th anniversary this year. 25 00:02:49,756.82795848 --> 00:02:50,596.82795848 Very cool. 26 00:02:50,596.82795848 --> 00:02:54,622.06605371 And what is your guys' main focus right now? So we have so many. 27 00:02:54,692.70097435 --> 00:02:59,452.08872945 A lot of the projects that we're working on now are focused most about expanding infrastructure. 28 00:02:59,752.08872945 --> 00:03:12,931.75993126 Of course, there's a ton of federal money coming from the Inflation Reduction Act from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that is going to be providing all this new access to new charging infrastructure, to new biodiesel fueling infrastructure. 29 00:03:12,948.71004464 --> 00:03:28,284.60573625 and a lot of this money is being, designated and given to very broad coalitions with a lot of knowledge of how best to deploy those how to deploy those most equitably in order to fit with the President's Justice 40 initiative that 40%. 30 00:03:28,294.60573625 --> 00:03:34,742.02070224 Percent or more of the benefits of these investments should be going to historically underserved and underinvested communities. 31 00:03:34,742.02070224 --> 00:03:36,163.10913761 So I'd say it's that's the biggest one. 32 00:03:36,189.54904691 --> 00:03:47,145.71684736 Especially workplace charging and corridor charging with the NEVI plans and National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure plans that were just published and are being finalized now by the Department of Energy. 33 00:03:47,180.84156392 --> 00:03:53,413.35857072 But again that's all in the service of ensuring that good clean air quality, especially in areas like the Bronx in our service area. 34 00:03:53,653.35857072 --> 00:03:56,503.35857072 The Bronx is an area that sees a lot of truck traffic. 35 00:03:56,512.38351403 --> 00:04:01,514.74179067 Places like the Hunts Point produce markets see over 10,000 truck trips per day. 36 00:04:01,514.74179067 --> 00:04:09,83.27920564 And those trucks are almost uniformly at this point diesel a lot of them are older and don't meet today's very strict emissions requirements. 37 00:04:09,383.27920564 --> 00:04:13,883.27920564 So those trucks are putting out a lot of NOx and SOx, nitrogen and sulfur oxides. 38 00:04:13,937.51956845 --> 00:04:16,667.51956845 Of course carbon dioxide, which enhances climate change. 39 00:04:16,690.93226687 --> 00:04:22,394.74179067 And things like particulate matter which can lead to some very bad health outcomes especially when. 40 00:04:22,714.74179067 --> 00:04:25,116.69190405 It's concentrated like that in places like the Bronx. 41 00:04:25,116.69190405 --> 00:04:36,683.73272038 So that's primarily what we're focused on and with the mission of ensuring that those benefits benefit everyone, especially those who have been the worst affected by poor air quality and transportation emissions in the past. 42 00:04:36,688.73272038 --> 00:04:37,303.73272038 Yeah, definitely. 43 00:04:37,303.73272038 --> 00:04:39,223.73272038 I think that's a really big point too. 44 00:04:39,233.73272038 --> 00:04:40,343.73272038 To say clean cities. 45 00:04:40,343.73272038 --> 00:04:51,663.73272038 It's not just about cleaning up the transportation sector or trying to make our grid more clean, but it's also about the quality of air, making our air quality better for us to breathe in. 46 00:04:51,873.73272038 --> 00:04:57,816.23393566 Because there's been all these cases about increases in asthma in children, in older individuals. 47 00:04:58,328.36674816 --> 00:05:07,818.36674816 And they're having all these types of respiratory issues because of the particulates and all sorts of manner that we'll be putting into the atmosphere, into the air that we breathe in. 48 00:05:07,828.36674816 --> 00:05:14,918.36674816 And so cleaning our cities is a lot about cleaning the air, making the air just higher quality and better for us to breathe in. 49 00:05:15,218.48792871 --> 00:05:17,828.48792871 And I think that's super important that you guys are doing that. 50 00:05:17,828.48792871 --> 00:05:19,858.48792871 Doing that work to clean our cities. 51 00:05:19,873.48792871 --> 00:05:22,253.48792871 And as you mentioned before, about the. 52 00:05:22,370.15459538 --> 00:05:42,390.15459538 Infrastructure bill and the Inflation Reduction Act that Biden just signed recently, how do you think that's going to have an impact on the work that you guys do? Is it going to help? Are you guys going to be utilizing that a lot? Are you hopeful for the future of this, or are you thinking kind of it's a step in the right direction? But you're hoping there'll be a lot more to come. 53 00:05:42,400.15459538 --> 00:05:42,850.15459538 Yeah. 54 00:05:42,940.15459538 --> 00:05:46,385.6874752 I mean it, as an organization like us, we always want there to be more. 55 00:05:46,385.6874752 --> 00:05:52,237.19541171 But it's hard almost to feel that, especially with the Inflation Reduction Act, just because it's climate potential is so huge. 56 00:05:52,237.51287202 --> 00:06:02,721.61718041 The Inflation Reduction Act has the potential to have 10 times the intensity of carbon savings and carbon reduction as any other, US-based climate bill that's been passed in the past. 57 00:06:02,721.61718041 --> 00:06:03,41.61718041 It's. 58 00:06:03,436.61718041 --> 00:06:05,367.94371103 Hard to overstate how huge this bill is. 59 00:06:05,397.94371103 --> 00:06:12,691.06162486 And of course, it's not just transportation emissions it's focused on agriculture, it's focused on clean industries outside of transportation. 60 00:06:12,691.06162486 --> 00:06:13,362.46752055 But it's big. 61 00:06:13,422.46752055 --> 00:06:17,20.31332554 And I think right now what we're, most focused on is ensuring that money gets. 62 00:06:17,50.31332554 --> 00:06:24,482.64892645 Spent prudently that money is spent in a way that's future-proof, especially when we're talking about deploying a national network of charging stations. 63 00:06:24,510.69881307 --> 00:06:36,462.50153416 If we're looking 30 years into the future where, you know, 90% plus the vast majority of on-road transportation is going to be zero emissions, making sure that all on-road vehicles, whether they are. 64 00:06:36,587.47885842 --> 00:06:45,22.09337089 Passenger vehicles someone's personal light duty truck that's towing a trailer or, tractor trailers and semi trucks that are traversing the country delivering freight. 65 00:06:45,22.09337089 --> 00:06:46,511.5151396 When there's zero emission potentially. 66 00:06:46,511.5151396 --> 00:06:47,994.63305343 A lot of them are battery electric. 67 00:06:48,174.63305343 --> 00:07:06,180.78951601 Ensuring that our charging stations can fit those, that when we're deploying Charging stations along the interstate corridors and, at a Love's Traffic stop or at a Bucky's, if you're in the, in Texas that, you can have pull through charging for trucks in instead of just individual passenger vehicle spots like that. 68 00:07:06,207.90969742 --> 00:07:14,543.4199015 And making sure that is the case in New York state too, because we've got so many types of transportation and we've got a lot of sort of tight areas in New York City. 69 00:07:14,569.88248654 --> 00:07:16,908.27250921 It's, a tough question for fleets to think about. 70 00:07:16,908.27250921 --> 00:07:21,396.74189697 Where are we going to, charge our vehicles whether that's during the day or they're domiciled at night. 71 00:07:21,421.61718041 --> 00:07:27,941.63985615 So thinking as far into the future as we can when we're spending this money now, so that we don't have to revamp things later. 72 00:07:28,10.12058177 --> 00:07:30,25.59677225 So yeah this money is incredible. 73 00:07:30,37.86434595 --> 00:07:31,486.23169289 The amount that's still. 74 00:07:31,495.57409651 --> 00:07:36,232.88702168 in the pipeline and that we're waiting to hear about new programs and the way it's going to be spent now is super exciting. 75 00:07:36,259.30425524 --> 00:07:39,815.56275864 But just trying to think about that stuff now as much as possible. 76 00:07:39,878.65799674 --> 00:07:45,73.64665887 So we spend that money efficiently and make sure the benefits go to the people and the businesses that need it. 77 00:07:45,78.64665887 --> 00:07:45,708.64665887 Yeah, definitely. 78 00:07:45,713.64665887 --> 00:07:55,688.64665887 And are you guys really focused primarily on EV charging and kind of electric vehicles in those types? because I've heard a lot of news lately about hydrogen fuel cells. 79 00:07:55,688.64665887 --> 00:08:03,488.64665887 They've got some new innovation that has Made some big ground a lot faster than everyone was expecting in the hydrogen industry, which is really cool. 80 00:08:03,543.64665887 --> 00:08:06,943.64665887 Where do you guys stand on hydrogen? Sure. 81 00:08:07,193.64665887 --> 00:08:08,607.66026431 We're really excited about hydrogen. 82 00:08:08,631.60584255 --> 00:08:27,491.5491532 We are part of one of the first projects in New York state and actually the whole sort of mid-Atlantic northeast region to bring hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles to the streets with NYSERDA the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority one of New York state's really great energy agencies we'll talk about a little bit more, a little bit. 83 00:08:27,491.5491532 --> 00:08:45,932.02534368 In the Bronx actually the neighborhood I was talking about before that borough we are working on a NYSERDA grant from the Clean Transportation Prize, which the winners of which were announced a few months ago and include a lot of great programs statewide about electrifying transportation including microt Transit and micro E-mobility and things like that. 84 00:08:45,962.02534368 --> 00:09:04,629.4629854 But this is specifically a hydrogen fuel cell bus deployment that we're working on with several great partners including hydrogen providers transit providers, and the MTA to deploy the first two of hopefully many hydrogen fuel cell powered transit buses that will be working in the North and East Bronx which is really great. 85 00:09:04,629.4629854 --> 00:09:09,879.50833688 Those are among the first hydrogen powered transit vehicles that'll be hitting the streets. 86 00:09:09,924.95051375 --> 00:09:15,596.09563846 I think there's maybe one other project in Boston and another in Rochester that are working at a similar pace. 87 00:09:15,610.09790604 --> 00:09:19,235.76684028 but this is our first, you know, dipping our toes into a project like this. 88 00:09:19,302.84167021 --> 00:09:34,70.86888109 We've looked at the success that California has had with having actual hydrogen fuel cell refueling network where you can refill with compressed hydrogen just in about the same amount of time as refilling with, petroleum, a five minute gasoline stop is about the same as the five minute stop to refill. 89 00:09:34,592.53554776 --> 00:09:35,929.02080853 Hydrogen powered car in California. 90 00:09:36,259.02080853 --> 00:09:45,590.64212372 So we're really excited about that, but we're also still really committed to biodiesel expanding biodiesel access New York City and it's fleets, especially parks sanitation. 91 00:09:45,590.64212372 --> 00:09:56,313.8507405 They've had great success with with biodiesel and it's served a really good role for them in terms of being a drop-in fuel that they can use with some of these vehicles, which, they have to keep in their fleet. 92 00:09:56,318.8507405 --> 00:10:00,207.69427792 Upwards of 10 years in order for the cost of them to make sense for them to use that. 93 00:10:00,212.69427792 --> 00:10:04,826.3337337 And while it's still only a low emission, vehicle it's not a zero emission alternative. 94 00:10:04,839.84847293 --> 00:10:17,354.30425524 Like hydrogen fuel, cell or electric is, it greatly decreased the amount of emissions that are coming from the tailpipes of those vehicles, which is really important when you're working in a place like New York City where it's just so crowded and you've got so many vehicles around. 95 00:10:17,359.30425524 --> 00:10:19,517.22942531 So even that their investment there really counts. 96 00:10:19,637.22942531 --> 00:10:21,546.84393778 So we're committed to a of different fuels. 97 00:10:21,648.15913053 --> 00:10:26,583.66933461 But we're really excited to see what hydrogen can do in the next couple of years as it starts to make its way to the East Coast. 98 00:10:26,588.66933461 --> 00:10:27,308.66933461 Yeah, definitely. 99 00:10:27,308.66933461 --> 00:10:35,218.66933461 That's really exciting and I think hydrogen has a really big future and a really big role to play in the coming years, so super excited to see how that turns out. 100 00:10:35,228.66933461 --> 00:10:39,788.66933461 So I'm super excited to see the continued of innovations and new technologies. 101 00:10:39,798.66933461 --> 00:10:41,958.66933461 That are coming online, which will be really awesome. 102 00:10:41,968.66933461 --> 00:10:49,313.66933461 And for biodiesel, what are you guys plans for action for biodiesel and how do you help out, what is your role that you play in this? Sure. 103 00:10:49,463.66933461 --> 00:10:58,98.78271329 So we don't actually serve as a fuel provider, but our roles in outreach and helping the fleets, extends to connecting fuel providers to fleets. 104 00:10:58,348.78271329 --> 00:11:05,230.23396046 We work with a lot of great fuel providers and including Sprague Energy, which are refiners and providers of biodiesel. 105 00:11:05,260.00720309 --> 00:11:13,477.83033234 We're currently working on a great project with the New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association, which we've been connecting with their farmers upstate. 106 00:11:13,506.5151396 --> 00:11:21,205.41536635 New York State based farmers produce 17 million bushels of soybeans per year, I believe, a lot of which goes to biodiesel. 107 00:11:21,224.73509425 --> 00:11:25,230.85754322 The primary feed stock of biodiesel is soybeans, can also be any sort of animal. 108 00:11:25,410.85754322 --> 00:11:28,665.42670422 Fats or vegetable fats, which can be refined into biodiesel. 109 00:11:28,875.42670422 --> 00:11:39,746.34507157 And while there currently aren't any biodiesel, distilleries or refineries in New York State, there are some in our region that provide biodiesel to fleet customers. 110 00:11:39,956.34507157 --> 00:11:48,129.27024164 So we do as much outreach as possible as we can to fleets, especially trucking fleets that run diesel powered vehicles with, Cummins, Straight Six Diesels, et cetera. 111 00:11:48,134.27024164 --> 00:11:52,834.81445932 To connect them with biodiesel providers because biodiesel is such an easy solution. 112 00:11:53,16.22035502 --> 00:11:58,417.25210105 And usually biodiesel it's not a hundred percent biodiesel it's blended with conventional petroleum diesel. 113 00:11:58,427.56956137 --> 00:12:02,577.56956137 20% biodiesel is B 20, 50% is B 50, et cetera. 114 00:12:02,577.56956137 --> 00:12:06,248.99813279 And I believe it all pumps in New York State all diesel that you get. 115 00:12:06,312.36547973 --> 00:12:07,822.36547973 Conventional pump is B5. 116 00:12:07,842.36547973 --> 00:12:27,85.00720309 So it's, there's a little bit of biodiesel in there, but working with the fleets to connect them to biodiesel providers or find public biofuel fueling stations so that they can start reducing their emissions, basically as soon as they're able to get their hands on some biodiesel, cuz it's an easy drop in fuel that will work in almost all diesel motors on, today's trucks. 117 00:12:27,158.76003756 --> 00:12:27,818.76003756 Yeah, definitely. 118 00:12:27,818.76003756 --> 00:12:28,688.76003756 That's really awesome. 119 00:12:28,688.76003756 --> 00:12:36,448.76003756 And I know you guys also have a program where you're replacing pre 2009 vehicles and helping in that transition for fleet owners. 120 00:12:36,458.76003756 --> 00:12:38,838.76003756 Do you mind jumping more into that? Yeah, sure. 121 00:12:38,838.76003756 --> 00:12:43,427.51287202 So that's NYSERDA's New York Truck Veteran Incentive Program or TVIP or T.V.I.P. 122 00:12:43,447.8076566 --> 00:12:47,664.20221443 Which is a really great program that we've been working with NYSERDA with for the last couple of years. 123 00:12:47,664.20221443 --> 00:12:51,548.48792871 So Truck Voucher Incentive Program is a statewide program that's focused on getting. 124 00:12:51,551.7305591 --> 00:13:03,41.27704436 Older class four through eight school buses, transit buses port cargo handling equipment paratransit buses, and of course trucks, off the road in favor of cleaner more modern alternatives. 125 00:13:03,104.22489016 --> 00:13:09,786.37908517 So as I mentioned it's class four through eight vehicles and the program has recently transitioned to being a zero emission program. 126 00:13:09,796.37908517 --> 00:13:16,214.54235048 So what the program does is goes to fleets and we go to fleets, we're doing a lot of the outreach and. 127 00:13:16,219.54235048 --> 00:13:21,714.22489016 A fleet that has, say a few pre 2009 when emissions regulations weren't as strict as they are now. 128 00:13:21,984.22489016 --> 00:13:23,724.22489016 So those are the most polluting vehicles. 129 00:13:23,947.96638676 --> 00:13:34,343.58996953 And connects them with voucher funding to replace those vehicles with a similar with, usually they want it to be the same vehicle class, replacing a class seven with a class seven with a zero emission alternative. 130 00:13:34,413.65799674 --> 00:13:38,188.36321216 Battery electric, fully electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. 131 00:13:38,219.04348427 --> 00:13:46,505.82352962 And the reason that it's replacing those vehicles and the way it goes about that is ensuring that those pre 2009 vehicles don't make it back onto the road. 132 00:13:46,518.13645479 --> 00:13:51,925.00720309 Whether, they get exported or, just get reregistered here in the States by ensuring that they're scrapped. 133 00:13:51,925.00720309 --> 00:13:53,194.98452735 So there's a scrappage element. 134 00:13:53,209.2475659 --> 00:14:08,180.77817814 So upon the scrappage of a pre 2009 say, School bus that engine block gets destroyed, the chassis gets destroyed, and, that ensures that it doesn't make it out of the road in any other way, shape or form, and it gets recycled and replaced with a battery electric alternative. 135 00:14:08,204.6784049 --> 00:14:13,440.57409651 So the program has been running for a few years now, but just in the last summer I transitioned to being zero emission only. 136 00:14:13,680.57409651 --> 00:14:20,992.63758857 So ECC's role in that is supporting the regional outreach to fleet stakeholders and also supporting the scrappage element of that program. 137 00:14:21,12.46752055 --> 00:14:22,752.46752055 Yeah, so that's a truck voucher incentive. 138 00:14:22,752.46752055 --> 00:14:32,180.04121669 It's a really great program and it's seen and helped the deployment of a lot of really good zero emission and low emission vehicles in our region in Long Island Upstate. 139 00:14:32,202.26343892 --> 00:14:33,139.70108064 It's a statewide program. 140 00:14:33,169.70108064 --> 00:14:33,949.70108064 It's just fantastic. 141 00:14:33,963.73736182 --> 00:14:37,243.73736182 Yeah, that's great and I know that here at trucktractortrailer.com 142 00:14:37,263.73736182 --> 00:14:44,790.40402848 we will also help with that transition for fleet owners finding you the perfect low or zero emissions vehicle that fits your needs. 143 00:14:45,0.40402848 --> 00:14:50,910.40402848 but for anyone curious about finding out more about the program itself, where can they find out more about it? Sure. 144 00:14:50,910.40402848 --> 00:14:51,740.40402848 NYSERDA's website. 145 00:14:51,762.71695365 --> 00:14:54,49.62171556 If you go to nyserda. 146 00:14:54,49.62171556 --> 00:14:55,9.62171556 ny.gov 147 00:14:55,36.12965207 --> 00:15:00,217.46752055 and they have all the information that you need from starting the sort of contact and finding. 148 00:15:00,243.27250921 --> 00:15:06,392.72829152 A vehicle in their eligible list of replacement vehicles that matches your needs and connecting and figuring out scrappage. 149 00:15:06,572.72829152 --> 00:15:19,12.60357497 They also have an element of the program in which, say you're a fleet that has, newer vehicles and doesn't have anything that's pre 2009 in order to scrap, you can still participate in the program so long as you purchase from a third party. 150 00:15:19,22.60357497 --> 00:15:24,472.03668155 A pre 2009 diesel vehicle that's similar and has accrued some minimum amount of miles per year. 151 00:15:24,472.03668155 --> 00:15:27,175.91423257 I believe it's 5,000 miles per year and is still active. 152 00:15:27,238.8167269 --> 00:15:35,482.86434594 So even if you're a fleet that has mostly new vehicles here, you can still participate and seek out a voucher for a newer electric or hydrogen powered vehicle. 153 00:15:35,546.24303075 --> 00:15:36,266.24303075 Very cool. 154 00:15:36,276.24303075 --> 00:15:39,456.24303075 And so you mentioned some hydrogen and zero emission vehicles. 155 00:15:39,501.24303075 --> 00:15:45,861.24303075 What are some of the other replacements? That fleet owners can look at for their pre 2009 truck? Yeah, absolutely. 156 00:15:45,931.24303075 --> 00:15:55,928.10244118 The ideal is that when a fleet is right-sizing it'll pick a vehicle that is the most efficient and, replaces the role that its old vehicle played at the same class or perhaps a class below. 157 00:15:55,928.10244118 --> 00:15:58,777.30879039 But the list of eligible vehicles includes. 158 00:15:58,777.30879039 --> 00:16:04,559.47432327 All these battery electric options from longstanding industry players like, Mac trucks Volvo with their VNR. 159 00:16:04,565.95958404 --> 00:16:09,646.66253188 There are a couple fleets in New York City, including I think Manhattan Beer Distributors uses a couple of. 160 00:16:09,681.80992417 --> 00:16:12,493.87341624 Volvo's, VNR, battery Electric semi trucks. 161 00:16:12,589.70108064 --> 00:16:16,713.83940263 So there are, vehicles available from those sort of long-standing big players in the fleet game. 162 00:16:16,735.88021896 --> 00:16:22,909.73509424 They're converters, third party EV converters, like C Electric where they get new Ford, f chassis. 163 00:16:22,978.90742984 --> 00:16:27,789.08883574 or I think 2,500 through 6,500 chassis GM Chevys. 164 00:16:27,803.94144345 --> 00:16:30,911.42443665 And then convert those to be fully battery electric. 165 00:16:30,911.42443665 --> 00:16:37,32.21808744 And then they're also newcomers, like Nikola just got one of their semi trucks onto the list of replacement vehicles. 166 00:16:37,347.21808744 --> 00:16:42,708.4425772 and that's not even to mention, paratransit providers bird bus that, that provides school bus, battery, electric school buses. 167 00:16:42,708.4425772 --> 00:16:43,807.1500602 They're a big player there. 168 00:16:43,807.1500602 --> 00:16:45,90.097906 So there are lots of different options. 169 00:16:45,103.6126453 --> 00:16:52,80.8235296 And on the truck voucher incentive website, there's a big comprehensive list of all of the vehicles that are eligible for vouchers. 170 00:16:52,85.8235296 --> 00:16:52,715.8235296 Yeah, definitely. 171 00:16:52,715.8235296 --> 00:16:57,165.8235296 And do you have anything that you would like to highlight before I ask my final questions? Sure. 172 00:16:57,415.8235296 --> 00:17:09,627.6489264 I would just highlight that, if you are a fleet operator I know a lot of this can sound a little bit pie in the sky but it's designed to, help the fleets that want to Get their operations to be as clean as possible. 173 00:17:09,632.6489264 --> 00:17:18,871.3223958 Now New York State has, fully passed a law now that in 2035, all light duty petroleum powered vehicles will not be sold anymore. 174 00:17:18,871.3223958 --> 00:17:25,524.587702 It'll only be zero emission vehicles, and the same happens 10 years later in 2045 for medium and heavy duty vehicles. 175 00:17:25,529.587702 --> 00:17:28,469.587702 The money is available now to help with this transition. 176 00:17:28,794.8484729 --> 00:17:31,55.5854344 And, at some point the money won't be around. 177 00:17:31,61.7078834 --> 00:17:33,253.3632122 The key is to ask the right questions. 178 00:17:33,258.3632122 --> 00:17:37,173.3632122 Now, get connected with your local Clean Cities coalition, get connected with NYSERDA. 179 00:17:37,234.7237564 --> 00:17:44,657.4901963 Now because all this stuff is here currently to help the fleets as opposed to, 10, 20 years from now when that funding might not be there. 180 00:17:44,747.8756838 --> 00:17:53,636.5831668 So in ensuring that you're thinking about this stuff now and thinking about it early because the models are available, the vehicles are available, and the funding is available to help with that transition. 181 00:17:53,641.5831668 --> 00:17:55,46.5831668 So we're here and we're ready to help. 182 00:17:55,92.5355478 --> 00:17:55,942.5355478 Definitely. 183 00:17:55,947.5355478 --> 00:17:56,232.5355478 That's great. 184 00:17:56,232.5355478 --> 00:17:59,382.5355478 I'm so glad that you guys are able to lend a helping hand with that. 185 00:17:59,392.5355478 --> 00:18:21,712.8189945 And do you see any issues in terms of the infrastructure for making this transition to cleaner fuels? I know a lot of people worry, they say like, okay, I know I can get diesel all along my route, but do you see any issues with ev charging stations or hydrogen fueling stations? what is that currently looking like? Sure hydrogen is definitely a bit of a ways off. 186 00:18:21,786.4017609 --> 00:18:29,66.7645727 The first, hydrogen refueling stations that will be in the sort of greater New York City area will be on that MTA project that I mentioned. 187 00:18:29,89.75777 --> 00:18:30,728.7713754 So still a few years out from public. 188 00:18:30,800.8235296 --> 00:18:34,475.8235296 Hydrogen refueling infrastructure in the greater New York City area at least. 189 00:18:34,530.8235296 --> 00:18:49,28.0457518 But for EV charging, there's currently a lot of funding available from the DOE, from NYSERDA to, similarly to this, a lot of the conversations that happen through Truck factor incentive also involve matching fleets with funding to install. 190 00:18:49,148.204482 --> 00:18:51,198.204482 Electric vehicle charging infrastructure as well. 191 00:18:51,198.204482 --> 00:19:07,998.4199015 And especially for a fleet, if your vehicles are domiciled at night at a certain place thinking about installing the infrastructure there rather than thinking about, finding ev charging along your route and while it will be there, the most reliable charging is the stuff that you install that, that works best for your vehicles. 192 00:19:07,998.4199015 --> 00:19:11,876.8439378 Because, as I was mentioning before, all those vehicles come in so many different shapes and sizes. 193 00:19:12,45.6761373 --> 00:19:12,765.6761373 Yeah, definitely. 194 00:19:12,765.6761373 --> 00:19:13,545.6761373 That makes sense. 195 00:19:13,545.6761373 --> 00:19:20,575.6761373 And if anyone would like to reach out to you to learn more about Empire Clean Cities and what you guys do, how can they get in touch? Yeah, for sure. 196 00:19:20,625.6761373 --> 00:19:21,925.6761373 EmpireCleanCities.org 197 00:19:21,942.5242099 --> 00:19:24,822.5242099 is our website and I'm david@empirecleancities.org 198 00:19:24,827.5242099 --> 00:19:27,72.5242099 is my email, so happy to talk. 199 00:19:27,77.5242099 --> 00:19:27,322.5242099 Okay. 200 00:19:27,332.5242099 --> 00:19:27,872.5242099 Very cool. 201 00:19:27,872.5242099 --> 00:19:36,92.5242099 And any of the links that we mentioned during this podcast will be in a description and the show notes below, so you can definitely find them there. 202 00:19:36,102.5242099 --> 00:19:39,92.5242099 And David, thank you so much for coming on the STTTREAM. 203 00:19:39,112.5242099 --> 00:19:47,292.5242099 It has been awesome to have you on talking all about Empire Clean Cities and what you are doing to help the transportation industry and making our cities. 204 00:19:47,302.5242099 --> 00:19:49,822.5242099 Cleaner, especially New York City. 205 00:19:49,832.5242099 --> 00:19:53,502.5242099 So thank you so much for what you guys are doing and for coming on the podcast. 206 00:19:53,507.5242099 --> 00:19:54,137.5242099 Yeah, you bet. 207 00:19:54,137.5242099 --> 00:19:54,947.5242099 Thanks so much, Billy. 208 00:19:54,952.5242099 --> 00:20:07,792.5242099 And if you enjoyed this interview with David Chernack from Empire Clean Cities, I invite you to go check out this interview with Tucker Perkins from the Propane Education and Research Council. 209 00:20:07,852.5242099 --> 00:20:18,712.5242099 They are leading the way in introducing a low carbon or zero carbon solution for those mid-size vehicles from using renewable propane. 210 00:20:18,717.5242099 --> 00:20:23,722.5242099 So definitely make sure you go check out this interview with Tucker Perkins.
Clean our cities, to improve our air quality, improve our way of life, and help us switch to a fuel that's more sustainable one nonprofit organization that is working to help the transportation industry make the transition to cleaner fuels is empire clean cities.
(00:15):
.925170068I had the amazing opportunity to speak with their program manager, David Chernack, where he explains some of the amazing work that they are doing to help support and find funding for fleet owners to make this transition even easier. 3 00:01:05,952.414965986 --> 00:01:13,292.414965986 /And so to kick us off, David, do you mind just telling us about Empire Clean Cities and what you guys do? Yeah, you betcha. 4 00:01:13,297.414965986 --> 00:01:17,609.430839002 So Empire Clean Cities we're a 501c3 nonprofit environmental organization. 5 00:01:17,799.430839002 --> 00:01:21,93.33106576 Our mission is to ensure clean air quality for future generations. 6 00:01:21,210.519274376 --> 00:01:26,507.299319728 We're the USDOE's designated clean cities for the New York City and lower Hudson Valley area. 7 00:01:26,507.299319728 --> 00:01:33,74.487528345 But we're just one of over 75 coalitions nationwide which are supported by the DOE and share similar missions. 8 00:01:33,123.603174603 --> 00:01:51,216.50566893 To increase air quality and protect air quality for future generations by ensuring that citizens and stakeholders and fleets have access to the information they need to transition to low and zero emission vehicles in the transportation sector Empire Clean Cities supports a lot of different projects in the New York City. 9 00:01:51,386.50566893 --> 00:01:51,866.50566893 Area. 10 00:01:51,866.50566893 --> 00:01:57,571.14285714 And we're also part of a lot of national coalitions, but both with other Clean Cities, coalitions and with, or other organizations. 11 00:01:57,571.14285714 --> 00:02:06,410.07709751 So we wear a lot of different hats and serve a lot of different roles, but it's all in the service of ensuring that air quality in the New York City area and our region and our country is good. 12 00:02:06,415.07709751 --> 00:02:10,886.59637188 And that we transition over to as many alternative fuel vehicles as we can. 13 00:02:10,886.59637188 --> 00:02:13,249.88435374 Whether that's biodiesel ethanol, hydrogen. 14 00:02:13,732.91156463 --> 00:02:16,801.24489796 Cell, electric vehicles com compress natural gas. 15 00:02:17,20.97278912 --> 00:02:20,933.6031746 We're alternative fuel agnostic and we support all sorts of alternative fuels. 16 00:02:21,83.6031746 --> 00:02:22,133.6031746 And my name is David Chernak. 17 00:02:22,133.6031746 --> 00:02:24,273.58049887 I'm the program manager for Empire Clean Cities. 18 00:02:24,278.58049887 --> 00:02:24,878.58049887 Very cool. 19 00:02:25,28.58049887 --> 00:02:32,618.58049887 And when did you start with Empire Clean Cities? I started with them in the summer of 2021 after I finished my master's degree. 20 00:02:32,618.58049887 --> 00:02:34,508.58049887 So I've been with them for about a year and a half now. 21 00:02:34,730.59213081 --> 00:02:35,65.59213081 Nice. 22 00:02:35,125.59213081 --> 00:02:42,931.82795848 And how long has the Empire Clean Cities been around for? Yeah, I think E C was designated in 2007, so about 15 years now. 23 00:02:42,961.82795848 --> 00:02:47,581.82795848 But the Clean Cities Coalition and the program itself has been around for I believe, 30 years. 24 00:02:47,581.82795848 --> 00:02:49,751.82795848 That's right, we're celebrating our 30th anniversary this year. 25 00:02:49,756.82795848 --> 00:02:50,596.82795848 Very cool. 26 00:02:50,596.82795848 --> 00:02:54,622.06605371 And what is your guys' main focus right now? So we have so many. 27 00:02:54,692.70097435 --> 00:02:59,452.08872945 A lot of the projects that we're working on now are focused most about expanding infrastructure. 28 00:02:59,752.08872945 --> 00:03:12,931.75993126 Of course, there's a ton of federal money coming from the Inflation Reduction Act from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that is going to be providing all this new access to new charging infrastructure, to new biodiesel fueling infrastructure. 29 00:03:12,948.71004464 --> 00:03:28,284.60573625 and a lot of this money is being, designated and given to very broad coalitions with a lot of knowledge of how best to deploy those how to deploy those most equitably in order to fit with the President's Justice 40 initiative that 40%. 30 00:03:28,294.60573625 --> 00:03:34,742.02070224 Percent or more of the benefits of these investments should be going to historically underserved and underinvested communities. 31 00:03:34,742.02070224 --> 00:03:36,163.10913761 So I'd say it's that's the biggest one. 32 00:03:36,189.54904691 --> 00:03:47,145.71684736 Especially workplace charging and corridor charging with the NEVI plans and National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure plans that were just published and are being finalized now by the Department of Energy. 33 00:03:47,180.84156392 --> 00:03:53,413.35857072 But again that's all in the service of ensuring that good clean air quality, especially in areas like the Bronx in our service area. 34 00:03:53,653.35857072 --> 00:03:56,503.35857072 The Bronx is an area that sees a lot of truck traffic. 35 00:03:56,512.38351403 --> 00:04:01,514.74179067 Places like the Hunts Point produce markets see over 10,000 truck trips per day. 36 00:04:01,514.74179067 --> 00:04:09,83.27920564 And those trucks are almost uniformly at this point diesel a lot of them are older and don't meet today's very strict emissions requirements. 37 00:04:09,383.27920564 --> 00:04:13,883.27920564 So those trucks are putting out a lot of NOx and SOx, nitrogen and sulfur oxides. 38 00:04:13,937.51956845 --> 00:04:16,667.51956845 Of course carbon dioxide, which enhances climate change. 39 00:04:16,690.93226687 --> 00:04:22,394.74179067 And things like particulate matter which can lead to some very bad health outcomes especially when. 40 00:04:22,714.74179067 --> 00:04:25,116.69190405 It's concentrated like that in places like the Bronx. 41 00:04:25,116.69190405 --> 00:04:36,683.73272038 So that's primarily what we're focused on and with the mission of ensuring that those benefits benefit everyone, especially those who have been the worst affected by poor air quality and transportation emissions in the past. 42 00:04:36,688.73272038 --> 00:04:37,303.73272038 Yeah, definitely. 43 00:04:37,303.73272038 --> 00:04:39,223.73272038 I think that's a really big point too. 44 00:04:39,233.73272038 --> 00:04:40,343.73272038 To say clean cities. 45 00:04:40,343.73272038 --> 00:04:51,663.73272038 It's not just about cleaning up the transportation sector or trying to make our grid more clean, but it's also about the quality of air, making our air quality better for us to breathe in. 46 00:04:51,873.73272038 --> 00:04:57,816.23393566 Because there's been all these cases about increases in asthma in children, in older individuals. 47 00:04:58,328.36674816 --> 00:05:07,818.36674816 And they're having all these types of respiratory issues because of the particulates and all sorts of manner that we'll be putting into the atmosphere, into the air that we breathe in. 48 00:05:07,828.36674816 --> 00:05:14,918.36674816 And so cleaning our cities is a lot about cleaning the air, making the air just higher quality and better for us to breathe in. 49 00:05:15,218.48792871 --> 00:05:17,828.48792871 And I think that's super important that you guys are doing that. 50 00:05:17,828.48792871 --> 00:05:19,858.48792871 Doing that work to clean our cities. 51 00:05:19,873.48792871 --> 00:05:22,253.48792871 And as you mentioned before, about the. 52 00:05:22,370.15459538 --> 00:05:42,390.15459538 Infrastructure bill and the Inflation Reduction Act that Biden just signed recently, how do you think that's going to have an impact on the work that you guys do? Is it going to help? Are you guys going to be utilizing that a lot? Are you hopeful for the future of this, or are you thinking kind of it's a step in the right direction? But you're hoping there'll be a lot more to come. 53 00:05:42,400.15459538 --> 00:05:42,850.15459538 Yeah. 54 00:05:42,940.15459538 --> 00:05:46,385.6874752 I mean it, as an organization like us, we always want there to be more. 55 00:05:46,385.6874752 --> 00:05:52,237.19541171 But it's hard almost to feel that, especially with the Inflation Reduction Act, just because it's climate potential is so huge. 56 00:05:52,237.51287202 --> 00:06:02,721.61718041 The Inflation Reduction Act has the potential to have 10 times the intensity of carbon savings and carbon reduction as any other, US-based climate bill that's been passed in the past. 57 00:06:02,721.61718041 --> 00:06:03,41.61718041 It's. 58 00:06:03,436.61718041 --> 00:06:05,367.94371103 Hard to overstate how huge this bill is. 59 00:06:05,397.94371103 --> 00:06:12,691.06162486 And of course, it's not just transportation emissions it's focused on agriculture, it's focused on clean industries outside of transportation. 60 00:06:12,691.06162486 --> 00:06:13,362.46752055 But it's big. 61 00:06:13,422.46752055 --> 00:06:17,20.31332554 And I think right now what we're, most focused on is ensuring that money gets. 62 00:06:17,50.31332554 --> 00:06:24,482.64892645 Spent prudently that money is spent in a way that's future-proof, especially when we're talking about deploying a national network of charging stations. 63 00:06:24,510.69881307 --> 00:06:36,462.50153416 If we're looking 30 years into the future where, you know, 90% plus the vast majority of on-road transportation is going to be zero emissions, making sure that all on-road vehicles, whether they are. 64 00:06:36,587.47885842 --> 00:06:45,22.09337089 Passenger vehicles someone's personal light duty truck that's towing a trailer or, tractor trailers and semi trucks that are traversing the country delivering freight. 65 00:06:45,22.09337089 --> 00:06:46,511.5151396 When there's zero emission potentially. 66 00:06:46,511.5151396 --> 00:06:47,994.63305343 A lot of them are battery electric. 67 00:06:48,174.63305343 --> 00:07:06,180.78951601 Ensuring that our charging stations can fit those, that when we're deploying Charging stations along the interstate corridors and, at a Love's Traffic stop or at a Bucky's, if you're in the, in Texas that, you can have pull through charging for trucks in instead of just individual passenger vehicle spots like that. 68 00:07:06,207.90969742 --> 00:07:14,543.4199015 And making sure that is the case in New York state too, because we've got so many types of transportation and we've got a lot of sort of tight areas in New York City. 69 00:07:14,569.88248654 --> 00:07:16,908.27250921 It's, a tough question for fleets to think about. 70 00:07:16,908.27250921 --> 00:07:21,396.74189697 Where are we going to, charge our vehicles whether that's during the day or they're domiciled at night. 71 00:07:21,421.61718041 --> 00:07:27,941.63985615 So thinking as far into the future as we can when we're spending this money now, so that we don't have to revamp things later. 72 00:07:28,10.12058177 --> 00:07:30,25.59677225 So yeah this money is incredible. 73 00:07:30,37.86434595 --> 00:07:31,486.23169289 The amount that's still. 74 00:07:31,495.57409651 --> 00:07:36,232.88702168 in the pipeline and that we're waiting to hear about new programs and the way it's going to be spent now is super exciting. 75 00:07:36,259.30425524 --> 00:07:39,815.56275864 But just trying to think about that stuff now as much as possible. 76 00:07:39,878.65799674 --> 00:07:45,73.64665887 So we spend that money efficiently and make sure the benefits go to the people and the businesses that need it. 77 00:07:45,78.64665887 --> 00:07:45,708.64665887 Yeah, definitely. 78 00:07:45,713.64665887 --> 00:07:55,688.64665887 And are you guys really focused primarily on EV charging and kind of electric vehicles in those types? because I've heard a lot of news lately about hydrogen fuel cells. 79 00:07:55,688.64665887 --> 00:08:03,488.64665887 They've got some new innovation that has Made some big ground a lot faster than everyone was expecting in the hydrogen industry, which is really cool. 80 00:08:03,543.64665887 --> 00:08:06,943.64665887 Where do you guys stand on hydrogen? Sure. 81 00:08:07,193.64665887 --> 00:08:08,607.66026431 We're really excited about hydrogen. 82 00:08:08,631.60584255 --> 00:08:27,491.5491532 We are part of one of the first projects in New York state and actually the whole sort of mid-Atlantic northeast region to bring hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles to the streets with NYSERDA the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority one of New York state's really great energy agencies we'll talk about a little bit more, a little bit. 83 00:08:27,491.5491532 --> 00:08:45,932.02534368 In the Bronx actually the neighborhood I was talking about before that borough we are working on a NYSERDA grant from the Clean Transportation Prize, which the winners of which were announced a few months ago and include a lot of great programs statewide about electrifying transportation including microt Transit and micro E-mobility and things like that. 84 00:08:45,962.02534368 --> 00:09:04,629.4629854 But this is specifically a hydrogen fuel cell bus deployment that we're working on with several great partners including hydrogen providers transit providers, and the MTA to deploy the first two of hopefully many hydrogen fuel cell powered transit buses that will be working in the North and East Bronx which is really great. 85 00:09:04,629.4629854 --> 00:09:09,879.50833688 Those are among the first hydrogen powered transit vehicles that'll be hitting the streets. 86 00:09:09,924.95051375 --> 00:09:15,596.09563846 I think there's maybe one other project in Boston and another in Rochester that are working at a similar pace. 87 00:09:15,610.09790604 --> 00:09:19,235.76684028 but this is our first, you know, dipping our toes into a project like this. 88 00:09:19,302.84167021 --> 00:09:34,70.86888109 We've looked at the success that California has had with having actual hydrogen fuel cell refueling network where you can refill with compressed hydrogen just in about the same amount of time as refilling with, petroleum, a five minute gasoline stop is about the same as the five minute stop to refill. 89 00:09:34,592.53554776 --> 00:09:35,929.02080853 Hydrogen powered car in California. 90 00:09:36,259.02080853 --> 00:09:45,590.64212372 So we're really excited about that, but we're also still really committed to biodiesel expanding biodiesel access New York City and it's fleets, especially parks sanitation. 91 00:09:45,590.64212372 --> 00:09:56,313.8507405 They've had great success with with biodiesel and it's served a really good role for them in terms of being a drop-in fuel that they can use with some of these vehicles, which, they have to keep in their fleet. 92 00:09:56,318.8507405 --> 00:10:00,207.69427792 Upwards of 10 years in order for the cost of them to make sense for them to use that. 93 00:10:00,212.69427792 --> 00:10:04,826.3337337 And while it's still only a low emission, vehicle it's not a zero emission alternative. 94 00:10:04,839.84847293 --> 00:10:17,354.30425524 Like hydrogen fuel, cell or electric is, it greatly decreased the amount of emissions that are coming from the tailpipes of those vehicles, which is really important when you're working in a place like New York City where it's just so crowded and you've got so many vehicles around. 95 00:10:17,359.30425524 --> 00:10:19,517.22942531 So even that their investment there really counts. 96 00:10:19,637.22942531 --> 00:10:21,546.84393778 So we're committed to a of different fuels. 97 00:10:21,648.15913053 --> 00:10:26,583.66933461 But we're really excited to see what hydrogen can do in the next couple of years as it starts to make its way to the East Coast. 98 00:10:26,588.66933461 --> 00:10:27,308.66933461 Yeah, definitely. 99 00:10:27,308.66933461 --> 00:10:35,218.66933461 That's really exciting and I think hydrogen has a really big future and a really big role to play in the coming years, so super excited to see how that turns out. 100 00:10:35,228.66933461 --> 00:10:39,788.66933461 So I'm super excited to see the continued of innovations and new technologies. 101 00:10:39,798.66933461 --> 00:10:41,958.66933461 That are coming online, which will be really awesome. 102 00:10:41,968.66933461 --> 00:10:49,313.66933461 And for biodiesel, what are you guys plans for action for biodiesel and how do you help out, what is your role that you play in this? Sure. 103 00:10:49,463.66933461 --> 00:10:58,98.78271329 So we don't actually serve as a fuel provider, but our roles in outreach and helping the fleets, extends to connecting fuel providers to fleets. 104 00:10:58,348.78271329 --> 00:11:05,230.23396046 We work with a lot of great fuel providers and including Sprague Energy, which are refiners and providers of biodiesel. 105 00:11:05,260.00720309 --> 00:11:13,477.83033234 We're currently working on a great project with the New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association, which we've been connecting with their farmers upstate. 106 00:11:13,506.5151396 --> 00:11:21,205.41536635 New York State based farmers produce 17 million bushels of soybeans per year, I believe, a lot of which goes to biodiesel. 107 00:11:21,224.73509425 --> 00:11:25,230.85754322 The primary feed stock of biodiesel is soybeans, can also be any sort of animal. 108 00:11:25,410.85754322 --> 00:11:28,665.42670422 Fats or vegetable fats, which can be refined into biodiesel. 109 00:11:28,875.42670422 --> 00:11:39,746.34507157 And while there currently aren't any biodiesel, distilleries or refineries in New York State, there are some in our region that provide biodiesel to fleet customers. 110 00:11:39,956.34507157 --> 00:11:48,129.27024164 So we do as much outreach as possible as we can to fleets, especially trucking fleets that run diesel powered vehicles with, Cummins, Straight Six Diesels, et cetera. 111 00:11:48,134.27024164 --> 00:11:52,834.81445932 To connect them with biodiesel providers because biodiesel is such an easy solution. 112 00:11:53,16.22035502 --> 00:11:58,417.25210105 And usually biodiesel it's not a hundred percent biodiesel it's blended with conventional petroleum diesel. 113 00:11:58,427.56956137 --> 00:12:02,577.56956137 20% biodiesel is B 20, 50% is B 50, et cetera. 114 00:12:02,577.56956137 --> 00:12:06,248.99813279 And I believe it all pumps in New York State all diesel that you get. 115 00:12:06,312.36547973 --> 00:12:07,822.36547973 Conventional pump is B5. 116 00:12:07,842.36547973 --> 00:12:27,85.00720309 So it's, there's a little bit of biodiesel in there, but working with the fleets to connect them to biodiesel providers or find public biofuel fueling stations so that they can start reducing their emissions, basically as soon as they're able to get their hands on some biodiesel, cuz it's an easy drop in fuel that will work in almost all diesel motors on, today's trucks. 117 00:12:27,158.76003756 --> 00:12:27,818.76003756 Yeah, definitely. 118 00:12:27,818.76003756 --> 00:12:28,688.76003756 That's really awesome. 119 00:12:28,688.76003756 --> 00:12:36,448.76003756 And I know you guys also have a program where you're replacing pre 2009 vehicles and helping in that transition for fleet owners. 120 00:12:36,458.76003756 --> 00:12:38,838.76003756 Do you mind jumping more into that? Yeah, sure. 121 00:12:38,838.76003756 --> 00:12:43,427.51287202 So that's NYSERDA's New York Truck Veteran Incentive Program or TVIP or T.V.I.P. 122 00:12:43,447.8076566 --> 00:12:47,664.20221443 Which is a really great program that we've been working with NYSERDA with for the last couple of years. 123 00:12:47,664.20221443 --> 00:12:51,548.48792871 So Truck Voucher Incentive Program is a statewide program that's focused on getting. 124 00:12:51,551.7305591 --> 00:13:03,41.27704436 Older class four through eight school buses, transit buses port cargo handling equipment paratransit buses, and of course trucks, off the road in favor of cleaner more modern alternatives. 125 00:13:03,104.22489016 --> 00:13:09,786.37908517 So as I mentioned it's class four through eight vehicles and the program has recently transitioned to being a zero emission program. 126 00:13:09,796.37908517 --> 00:13:16,214.54235048 So what the program does is goes to fleets and we go to fleets, we're doing a lot of the outreach and. 127 00:13:16,219.54235048 --> 00:13:21,714.22489016 A fleet that has, say a few pre 2009 when emissions regulations weren't as strict as they are now. 128 00:13:21,984.22489016 --> 00:13:23,724.22489016 So those are the most polluting vehicles. 129 00:13:23,947.96638676 --> 00:13:34,343.58996953 And connects them with voucher funding to replace those vehicles with a similar with, usually they want it to be the same vehicle class, replacing a class seven with a class seven with a zero emission alternative. 130 00:13:34,413.65799674 --> 00:13:38,188.36321216 Battery electric, fully electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. 131 00:13:38,219.04348427 --> 00:13:46,505.82352962 And the reason that it's replacing those vehicles and the way it goes about that is ensuring that those pre 2009 vehicles don't make it back onto the road. 132 00:13:46,518.13645479 --> 00:13:51,925.00720309 Whether, they get exported or, just get reregistered here in the States by ensuring that they're scrapped. 133 00:13:51,925.00720309 --> 00:13:53,194.98452735 So there's a scrappage element. 134 00:13:53,209.2475659 --> 00:14:08,180.77817814 So upon the scrappage of a pre 2009 say, School bus that engine block gets destroyed, the chassis gets destroyed, and, that ensures that it doesn't make it out of the road in any other way, shape or form, and it gets recycled and replaced with a battery electric alternative. 135 00:14:08,204.6784049 --> 00:14:13,440.57409651 So the program has been running for a few years now, but just in the last summer I transitioned to being zero emission only. 136 00:14:13,680.57409651 --> 00:14:20,992.63758857 So ECC's role in that is supporting the regional outreach to fleet stakeholders and also supporting the scrappage element of that program. 137 00:14:21,12.46752055 --> 00:14:22,752.46752055 Yeah, so that's a truck voucher incentive. 138 00:14:22,752.46752055 --> 00:14:32,180.04121669 It's a really great program and it's seen and helped the deployment of a lot of really good zero emission and low emission vehicles in our region in Long Island Upstate. 139 00:14:32,202.26343892 --> 00:14:33,139.70108064 It's a statewide program. 140 00:14:33,169.70108064 --> 00:14:33,949.70108064 It's just fantastic. 141 00:14:33,963.73736182 --> 00:14:37,243.73736182 Yeah, that's great and I know that here at trucktractortrailer.com 142 00:14:37,263.73736182 --> 00:14:44,790.40402848 we will also help with that transition for fleet owners finding you the perfect low or zero emissions vehicle that fits your needs. 143 00:14:45,0.40402848 --> 00:14:50,910.40402848 but for anyone curious about finding out more about the program itself, where can they find out more about it? Sure. 144 00:14:50,910.40402848 --> 00:14:51,740.40402848 NYSERDA's website. 145 00:14:51,762.71695365 --> 00:14:54,49.62171556 If you go to nyserda. 146 00:14:54,49.62171556 --> 00:14:55,9.62171556 ny.gov 147 00:14:55,36.12965207 --> 00:15:00,217.46752055 and they have all the information that you need from starting the sort of contact and finding. 148 00:15:00,243.27250921 --> 00:15:06,392.72829152 A vehicle in their eligible list of replacement vehicles that matches your needs and connecting and figuring out scrappage. 149 00:15:06,572.72829152 --> 00:15:19,12.60357497 They also have an element of the program in which, say you're a fleet that has, newer vehicles and doesn't have anything that's pre 2009 in order to scrap, you can still participate in the program so long as you purchase from a third party. 150 00:15:19,22.60357497 --> 00:15:24,472.03668155 A pre 2009 diesel vehicle that's similar and has accrued some minimum amount of miles per year. 151 00:15:24,472.03668155 --> 00:15:27,175.91423257 I believe it's 5,000 miles per year and is still active. 152 00:15:27,238.8167269 --> 00:15:35,482.86434594 So even if you're a fleet that has mostly new vehicles here, you can still participate and seek out a voucher for a newer electric or hydrogen powered vehicle. 153 00:15:35,546.24303075 --> 00:15:36,266.24303075 Very cool. 154 00:15:36,276.24303075 --> 00:15:39,456.24303075 And so you mentioned some hydrogen and zero emission vehicles. 155 00:15:39,501.24303075 --> 00:15:45,861.24303075 What are some of the other replacements? That fleet owners can look at for their pre 2009 truck? Yeah, absolutely. 156 00:15:45,931.24303075 --> 00:15:55,928.10244118 The ideal is that when a fleet is right-sizing it'll pick a vehicle that is the most efficient and, replaces the role that its old vehicle played at the same class or perhaps a class below. 157 00:15:55,928.10244118 --> 00:15:58,777.30879039 But the list of eligible vehicles includes. 158 00:15:58,777.30879039 --> 00:16:04,559.47432327 All these battery electric options from longstanding industry players like, Mac trucks Volvo with their VNR. 159 00:16:04,565.95958404 --> 00:16:09,646.66253188 There are a couple fleets in New York City, including I think Manhattan Beer Distributors uses a couple of. 160 00:16:09,681.80992417 --> 00:16:12,493.87341624 Volvo's, VNR, battery Electric semi trucks. 161 00:16:12,589.70108064 --> 00:16:16,713.83940263 So there are, vehicles available from those sort of long-standing big players in the fleet game. 162 00:16:16,735.88021896 --> 00:16:22,909.73509424 They're converters, third party EV converters, like C Electric where they get new Ford, f chassis. 163 00:16:22,978.90742984 --> 00:16:27,789.08883574 or I think 2,500 through 6,500 chassis GM Chevys. 164 00:16:27,803.94144345 --> 00:16:30,911.42443665 And then convert those to be fully battery electric. 165 00:16:30,911.42443665 --> 00:16:37,32.21808744 And then they're also newcomers, like Nikola just got one of their semi trucks onto the list of replacement vehicles. 166 00:16:37,347.21808744 --> 00:16:42,708.4425772 and that's not even to mention, paratransit providers bird bus that, that provides school bus, battery, electric school buses. 167 00:16:42,708.4425772 --> 00:16:43,807.1500602 They're a big player there. 168 00:16:43,807.1500602 --> 00:16:45,90.097906 So there are lots of different options. 169 00:16:45,103.6126453 --> 00:16:52,80.8235296 And on the truck voucher incentive website, there's a big comprehensive list of all of the vehicles that are eligible for vouchers. 170 00:16:52,85.8235296 --> 00:16:52,715.8235296 Yeah, definitely. 171 00:16:52,715.8235296 --> 00:16:57,165.8235296 And do you have anything that you would like to highlight before I ask my final questions? Sure. 172 00:16:57,415.8235296 --> 00:17:09,627.6489264 I would just highlight that, if you are a fleet operator I know a lot of this can sound a little bit pie in the sky but it's designed to, help the fleets that want to Get their operations to be as clean as possible. 173 00:17:09,632.6489264 --> 00:17:18,871.3223958 Now New York State has, fully passed a law now that in 2035, all light duty petroleum powered vehicles will not be sold anymore. 174 00:17:18,871.3223958 --> 00:17:25,524.587702 It'll only be zero emission vehicles, and the same happens 10 years later in 2045 for medium and heavy duty vehicles. 175 00:17:25,529.587702 --> 00:17:28,469.587702 The money is available now to help with this transition. 176 00:17:28,794.8484729 --> 00:17:31,55.5854344 And, at some point the money won't be around. 177 00:17:31,61.7078834 --> 00:17:33,253.3632122 The key is to ask the right questions. 178 00:17:33,258.3632122 --> 00:17:37,173.3632122 Now, get connected with your local Clean Cities coalition, get connected with NYSERDA. 179 00:17:37,234.7237564 --> 00:17:44,657.4901963 Now because all this stuff is here currently to help the fleets as opposed to, 10, 20 years from now when that funding might not be there. 180 00:17:44,747.8756838 --> 00:17:53,636.5831668 So in ensuring that you're thinking about this stuff now and thinking about it early because the models are available, the vehicles are available, and the funding is available to help with that transition. 181 00:17:53,641.5831668 --> 00:17:55,46.5831668 So we're here and we're ready to help. 182 00:17:55,92.5355478 --> 00:17:55,942.5355478 Definitely. 183 00:17:55,947.5355478 --> 00:17:56,232.5355478 That's great. 184 00:17:56,232.5355478 --> 00:17:59,382.5355478 I'm so glad that you guys are able to lend a helping hand with that. 185 00:17:59,392.5355478 --> 00:18:21,712.8189945 And do you see any issues in terms of the infrastructure for making this transition to cleaner fuels? I know a lot of people worry, they say like, okay, I know I can get diesel all along my route, but do you see any issues with ev charging stations or hydrogen fueling stations? what is that currently looking like? Sure hydrogen is definitely a bit of a ways off. 186 00:18:21,786.4017609 --> 00:18:29,66.7645727 The first, hydrogen refueling stations that will be in the sort of greater New York City area will be on that MTA project that I mentioned. 187 00:18:29,89.75777 --> 00:18:30,728.7713754 So still a few years out from public. 188 00:18:30,800.8235296 --> 00:18:34,475.8235296 Hydrogen refueling infrastructure in the greater New York City area at least. 189 00:18:34,530.8235296 --> 00:18:49,28.0457518 But for EV charging, there's currently a lot of funding available from the DOE, from NYSERDA to, similarly to this, a lot of the conversations that happen through Truck factor incentive also involve matching fleets with funding to install. 190 00:18:49,148.204482 --> 00:18:51,198.204482 Electric vehicle charging infrastructure as well. 191 00:18:51,198.204482 --> 00:19:07,998.4199015 And especially for a fleet, if your vehicles are domiciled at night at a certain place thinking about installing the infrastructure there rather than thinking about, finding ev charging along your route and while it will be there, the most reliable charging is the stuff that you install that, that works best for your vehicles. 192 00:19:07,998.4199015 --> 00:19:11,876.8439378 Because, as I was mentioning before, all those vehicles come in so many different shapes and sizes. 193 00:19:12,45.6761373 --> 00:19:12,765.6761373 Yeah, definitely. 194 00:19:12,765.6761373 --> 00:19:13,545.6761373 That makes sense. 195 00:19:13,545.6761373 --> 00:19:20,575.6761373 And if anyone would like to reach out to you to learn more about Empire Clean Cities and what you guys do, how can they get in touch? Yeah, for sure. 196 00:19:20,625.6761373 --> 00:19:21,925.6761373 EmpireCleanCities.org 197 00:19:21,942.5242099 --> 00:19:24,822.5242099 is our website and I'm david@empirecleancities.org 198 00:19:24,827.5242099 --> 00:19:27,72.5242099 is my email, so happy to talk. 199 00:19:27,77.5242099 --> 00:19:27,322.5242099 Okay. 200 00:19:27,332.5242099 --> 00:19:27,872.5242099 Very cool. 201 00:19:27,872.5242099 --> 00:19:36,92.5242099 And any of the links that we mentioned during this podcast will be in a description and the show notes below, so you can definitely find them there. 202 00:19:36,102.5242099 --> 00:19:39,92.5242099 And David, thank you so much for coming on the STTTREAM. 203 00:19:39,112.5242099 --> 00:19:47,292.5242099 It has been awesome to have you on talking all about Empire Clean Cities and what you are doing to help the transportation industry and making our cities. 204 00:19:47,302.5242099 --> 00:19:49,822.5242099 Cleaner, especially New York City. 205 00:19:49,832.5242099 --> 00:19:53,502.5242099 So thank you so much for what you guys are doing and for coming on the podcast. 206 00:19:53,507.5242099 --> 00:19:54,137.5242099 Yeah, you bet. 207 00:19:54,137.5242099 --> 00:19:54,947.5242099 Thanks so much, Billy. 208 00:19:54,952.5242099 --> 00:20:07,792.5242099 And if you enjoyed this interview with David Chernack from Empire Clean Cities, I invite you to go check out this interview with Tucker Perkins from the Propane Education and Research Council. 209 00:20:07,852.5242099 --> 00:20:18,712.5242099 They are leading the way in introducing a low carbon or zero carbon solution for those mid-size vehicles from using renewable propane. 210 00:20:18,717.5242099 --> 00:20:23,722.5242099 So definitely make sure you go check out this interview with Tucker Perkins.
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