Lone Star Clean Fuels Alliance News
November 2023
Coalition News
Our stakeholder, Chris Nielsen with Electric Cab of North America, is working with a team to develop and fund an Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zone along the Texas 130 toll road.
XCharge Opens Net Zero EV Charger Facility in Kyle
Congratulations to the City of Kyle on completion of their first long-planned EV charging facility!
XCharge North America, an original equipment manufacturer that specializes in Level 3 electric vehicle chargers and energy storage devices, has inaugurated its headquarters and facility in Kyle, Texas, unveiling what it says is the “first truly battery-integrated electric vehicle charger in the U.S.,” the Net Zero Series.to the City of Kyle on completion of their first long-planned EV charging facility!
XCharge North America, an original equipment manufacturer that specializes in Level 3 electric vehicle chargers and energy storage devices, has inaugurated its headquarters and facility in Kyle, Texas, unveiling what it says is the “first truly battery-integrated electric vehicle charger in the U.S.,” the Net Zero Series.
OPAL Fuels reports production from RNG projects in operation continues to be on target
Coalition member, OPAL Fuels Inc., a leading vertically integrated producer and distributor of renewable natural gas (RNG) for use as a transportation fuel and renewable electricity, announced they are making strong progress on their long-term strategic growth plans while delivering solid operating and financial results. The Company now has 5.2 million MMBtu of annual design capacity online across 8 projects, more than tripling their design capacity over the last two years, and an additional 4.4 million MMBtu of design capacity from projects currently in construction.
Penske Truck Leasing Now Offering Xos Class 6 Electric Vehicl
Electric truck manufacturer and fleet electrification services provider Xos Inc. says Penske Truck Leasing has added Xos 100% battery-electric trucks to its fleet, deploying the trucks with multiple customers in various industries.
State & National News
Biden Signs New Clean Fuel Tax Credits into Law
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has earmarked $7 billion to launch seven Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) across the nation and accelerate the commercial-scale deployment of hydrogen fuel. Funded by President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the seven H2Hubs will kickstart a national network of clean hydrogen producers, consumers and connective infrastructure while supporting the production, storage, delivery, and end-use of clean hydrogen. The Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub will be centered in the Houston region, the traditional energy capital of the United States. It will help kickstart the clean hydrogen economy with its plans for large-scale hydrogen production using both natural gas with carbon capture and renewables-powered electrolysis, leveraging the Gulf Coast region’s abundant renewable energy and natural gas supply to drive down the cost of hydrogen—a crucial step to achieving market liftoff. Details here.
Hyliion’s KARNO™ Generator Successfully Returns Power to the Grid
Unlock the true potential of stationary power applications with KARNO, the game-changing generator technology. From enabling EV charging and renewable matching to peak shaving, providing prime power, and waste gas utilization, KARNO generator technology empowers operators with increased efficiency and reliability, revolutionizing the way energy is harnessed for a sustainable future.
Texas Renewable Natural Gas Facility Is Up and Running
Clean Energy Fuels Corp. and TotalEnergies SE says their renewable natural gas (RNG) project at the Del Rio Dairy in Friona, Texas, is now operational and providing natural gas fuel to the transportation market and wider natural gas pipeline system. The companies also note that the project is generating D3 renewable identification number credits under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard, as well as credits through Oregon’s low carbon fuel standard program.
More automakers plan to adopt Tesla-style charging plug.
Kia, Hyundai and Genesis have joined a growing number of automakers to announce plans to switch to a Tesla-style charging port known as the North American Charging System, or NACS. BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce plan to switch in 2025. The charging changes by several automakers — including Ford, General Motors, Honda and now Hyundai — are expected to expand charging options for electric vehicle drivers in Central Texas and nationwide, and further set up Tesla's infrastructure to potentially be the standard for electric vehicle charging stations in the United States..
New test from Edmunds Evaluates EV Charging Speeds
Car shopping platform Edmunds has unveiled the Edmunds EV Charging Test, an independent evaluation of electric vehicle fast-charging speeds that provides consumers with crucial information about the time required to add range to a vehicle’s battery. The Edmunds EV Charging Test combines Level 3 charging measurements from automotive consultants P3 Group with proprietary data from the Edmunds EV Efficiency Test. More than 40 EVs were evaluated, with the Hyundai Ioniq 61 topping the inaugural leaderboard.
Grants & Funding
TCEQ TERP Grant Programs & Opening Dates https://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/terp/programs
 | Funding | Status |
| Emissions Reduction Incentive Grants Program (ERIG) | | CLOSED |
| Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grants Program (TNGVGP) | $25.4M | September 2024 |
| Seaport & Rail Yard Areas Emissions Reduction Program (SPRY) | $20.3M | April 2024 |
| Texas Clean Fleet Program (TCFP) | $16.9M | January 2025 |
| Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive Program (LDPLIP) | $10M | OPENING SOON |
| Rebate Grant Program (Round 2) | TBD | March 2025 |
| Texas Clean School Bus Program (TCSB) | $13.5M | February 2024 |
| Alternative Fueling Facilities Program (AFFP) | $12M | January 2024 |
| $10M | November 2023 | |
| Governmental Alternative Fuel Fleet Grant Program (GAFF) | $5M | December 2024 |
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program Accepting Applications
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has announced the 2022-2023 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grant Program. Funding is now available for projects that will reduce emissions coming from existing diesel vehicles. The program plans to give out approximately $115 million in funds to applicants.
DERA applications are due by Friday, December 1, 2023. To learn more about eligibility and this opportunity, please go here.
Announcing the 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program
This is the second rebate funding opportunity through the multi-year funding program. Under the 2023 Rebate Program, EPA anticipates awarding at least $500 million in rebate funding with the potential to modify this figure based on the application pool and other factors.
Eligible applicants can apply to receive funding for the purchase of up to 25 zero-emission (ZE) and/or clean school buses, along with ZE charging infrastructure and eligible workforce development costs. Selectees may be eligible for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits applicable to their bus and infrastructure purchases. For example, the Clean Vehicle tax credits for qualifying school buses are worth up to $40,000.
EPA is prioritizing applications that will replace buses serving high-need local education agencies, rural areas, Tribal school districts funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and public school districts receiving basic support payments for students living on Tribal land. In addition, EPA is committed to ensuring the CSB Program delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative that at least 40% of the benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities.
Applicants must submit all application materials by:
January 31st, 2024, at 4:00PM ET
EPA plans to host a series of public webinars regarding this rebate funding opportunity from now through January to provide potential applicants with an overview of the program, relevant information and available resources.
The first webinar was held on September 28th, and the webinar recording and slides are posted to the Clean School Bus Webinars webpage.
VW State Environmental Trust
The TCEQ has opened their first-come, first-served $87 million all-electric grant program, via the Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program. Funding for the program will be allocated based on priority areas, and project categories. The program is designed for Class 8 Local Freight Trucks and Port Drayage Trucks, Class 4-8 School Bus, Shuttle Bus, or Transit Buses, Class 4-7 Local Freight Trucks, Airport Ground Support Equipment, and Forklifts and Port Cargo Handling Equipment.
Major notes about the program:
- Private entities will receive 75% of the incremental costs of replacing vehicles
- Refueling infrastructure costs can be covered, only with an application for vehicle replacement
- Vehicles replaced must be owned and operated in Texas for two years prior to applying, with at least five years of useful life remaining
- At least 51% of the grant-funded vehicle must occur within a Priority Area
Additional details about the program, including grant totals by project area and details about application requirements and submissions, are posted here in this webinar
If you have any questions, or reach out directly to TCEQ staff Krista Edwards & Jack Frink, Grant Specialists, at VWSettle@tceq.Texas.gov and by calling (833) 215-TXVEMP (8989).
Still plenty of money available in this one!
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) is now accepting applications for the Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive Program. Grants are available statewide for eligible new light-duty motor vehicles powered by alternative fuel purchased or leased in Texas on or after September 1, 2023.
- Grants of up to $5,000 are available for up to 1,000 eligible compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG or propane) vehicles.
- Grants of up to $2,500 are available for up to 2,000 eligible electric drive (plug-in or plug-in hybrid) or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Applications will be accepted and considered on a first-come, first-served basis until 5:00 p.m. on March 22, 2024 or until all available funds have been awarded.
Here are the step-by-step instructions to apply.
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