Invitation for Proposals From State Governments for Projects Designed To Accelerate the Introduction and Increase the Use of Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Christine A. Ervin
Department of Energy
29 June 1994

[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 29, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-15793]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 29, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

 

Invitation for Proposals From State Governments for Projects 
Designed To Accelerate the Introduction and Increase the Use of 
Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fuel Vehicles

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of Program Interest.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is interested in obtaining 
unsolicited proposals from States under 10 CFR 600.15. DOE may award 
grants to States to fund pilot programs demonstrating the feasibility 
of accelerating the introduction and expanding the use of alternative 
fuels and alternative fuel vehicles. Grants for such demonstration 
programs, if any, would generally support DOE's alternative motor fuels 
programs, including the impending State and Local Incentives Program of 
the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT) and DOE's Clean Cities program. 
Awards, if any, will be based on a combination of DOE need and program 
merit. Meritorious program proposals would contain incentive plans 
directed toward cities that are currently or are petitioning to become 
DOE Clean Cities; that leverage non-Federal and Federal resources; and 
are regionally diverse.
    Proposals in response to this notice should encourage widespread 
participation and reflect the participation and responsibilities of all 
included parties. Particularly, proposals should reflect other 
governmental participation, such as local government participation in a 
State program. Approximately $1.0 million may be available in FY 1994 
funds for pilot programs; approximately 6-10 awards may be made.

DATES: To guarantee consideration, proposals must be received by 
September 1, 1994. Proposals shall be considered as meeting the 
deadline if they are either received or postmarked on or before the 
deadline date. Applications which do not meet the deadline will be 
considered late applications and may not be considered.

ADDRESSES: Proposals referencing Program Notice should be submitted to: 
Office of Transportation Technologies, Office of Alternative Fuels, EE-
33, U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence 
Ave., Washington, DC 20585, Reference: Notice of Program Interest, DOE 
Alternative Fuels Pilot Programs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey P. Hardy, Office of 
Alternative Fuels, Office of Transportation Technologies, U.S. 
Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Ave., 
Washington, DC 20585, telephone (202) 586-9118.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT) sets forth Alternative Fuels 
Titles III, IV and V which effectively establish goals and mechanisms 
by which the widespread use of alternative fuels will lead this country 
away from a growing dependence on imported petroleum in the 
transportation sector. The Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible 
for implementing and executing many initiatives under EPACT in order to 
create a sustainable alternative fuels market.
    To ensure successful market development, DOE is undertaking a 
strategic alternative fuels program which builds on research and 
development successes through the establishment of market foundations, 
including public information, certification of training programs, and 
assisting other agencies in labeling of fuels and vehicles, and setting 
standards for fuels and vehicles. The second step of the program is to 
supplement existing incentives to encourage the early adoption of 
alternative fuels and vehicles, such as tax credits for purchasing 
vehicles, tax credits for building stations, and grants to States to 
develop incentive programs for alternative fuels. Thirdly, DOE will 
obtain voluntary commitments from fuel suppliers to build stations, 
from the automakers to build vehicles, and from fleets to use those 
vehicles. Voluntary participation reduces the need for mandates and 
allows users to determine appropriate technologies. The fourth step 
will be to expand the market for alternative fuel vehicles by requiring 
selected fleet operators to take the leadership in vehicle acquisition, 
beginning with the Federal fleet, the State fleets, and the fleets of 
alternative fuel suppliers. Finally, achieving long-term EPACT goals 
may require private fleets and municipal government fleets to begin 
acquiring AFVs in 1999.
    Achievement of the challenging EPACT mandates will require 
innovative and resourceful activity by DOE and by stakeholders in the 
alternative fuels market. In support of the strategic alternative fuel 
program, DOE will draw upon such available tools as technology 
transfer, the use of studies, pilot programs, rulemakings, grants and 
other deployment activities.

B. Purpose

    The purpose of this notice is to promote and support innovative or 
promising State programs demonstrating the feasibility of accelerating 
the introduction and expanding the use of alternative fuels and 
alternative fuel vehicles in the creation of a sustainable alternative 
fuels market. Demonstrated results may then be considered by DOE during 
the development and execution of its strategic alternative fuels 
program.

C. Areas of Interest

    The Department of Energy seeks to gain information and broaden its 
knowledge and experience in the following areas of interest:
    (1) Energy Policy Act of 1992 requirements to accelerate the 
introduction and expand the use of alternative fuels and alternative 
fuel vehicles;
    (2) The potential to increase the long-term effectiveness of EPACT 
Section 409;
    (3) The potential to complement on-going activities in the DOE 
Clean Cities program;
    (4) Integration and implementation of Energy Policy Act and Clean 
Air Act goals at the State and local level;
    (5) The cost-effective use of combined private and public funding;
    (6) The motivation and involvement of multiple public and private 
market entities;
    (7) The development of supporting alternative fuel market 
infrastructure and broad public access to such infrastructure 
(refueling, maintenance, etc.);
    (8) Geographic program diversity;
    (9) Promotion of all types of alternative fuels;
    (10) The commercialization of innovative, efficient energy 
technologies;
    (11) Air quality improvement; and,
    (12) The advancement of economic development and domestic resource 
utilization.

D. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $1.0 million may be available in FY 1994 funds for 
developing demonstration projects to support the strategic alternative 
fuels program. Approximately 6-10 awards may be made. Awards, if any, 
will be based on a combination of DOE need and project merit within 
each area of interest. Programs that leverage non-Federal and other 
Federal resources will receive priority consideration.

E. Schedule

    All projects submitted by the published deadline will be reviewed 
during FY 1994. Any awards, thereafter, will be determined by DOE. 
Budget and project periods may be negotiated to fit the needs of 
particular projects. Award may be by means of amendment to an existing 
grant or by separate grant or cooperative or joint venture agreement.

F. Eligible Applicants

    States and entities which are agencies of States are eligible to 
apply. Applicants are encouraged to propose cooperative projects or 
joint ventures in partnership with local government, private and non-
profit sector organizations, and others.
    Qualifying applications must be submitted in accordance with the 
following format established by DOE. An application will consist of: 
(1) applicant information; (2) a description of the proposed project, 
stating parameters and objectives, action to be undertaken and expected 
performance; (3) information on the sources and amount of funds 
necessary for program implementation, including amounts to be provided 
by the applicant(s); and, (4) an economic analysis to show the cost-
effectiveness of the project.

G. Evaluation Criteria

    All proposals submitted under this Notice of Program Interest will 
be evaluated in accordance of 10 CFR 600.14. Selection will be based on 
criteria set forth in 10 CFR 600.14, including: overall merit, 
objectives and probability of achievement, proposer's facilities, and 
qualifications of critical project personnel. In addition, proposals 
will be evaluated with respect to the above-listed Areas of Interest; 
for their uniqueness or innovation of concept; for potential 
replicability; and upon funding or other resources either provided by 
the proposer or leveraged from non-governmental sources.

H. Review Process

    Evaluation will be at the Program Office level: DOE Office of 
Alternative Fuels. Final selection will be made by the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary of Transportation Technologies.
    DOE reserves the right to fund, in whole or in part, any, all, or 
none of the proposals submitted in response to this notice.

    Issued in Washington, DC, June 21, 1994.
Christine A. Ervin,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 94-15793 Filed 6-28-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P