Member Spotlight: Opal Fuels and How to Kickstart a VMT Reduction Program

Coalition news

Jan 2024


Thank you to those who have completed and return their 2023 Fleet & Fuel Recognition Survey!

 

Stay on the lookout for our Fleet and Fuel Survey!

Starting this month we will be sending out our annual Fleet and Fuel Survey to recognize your organization for their trend-setting work to lead the way to a more fuel-efficient future. Once you receive the Fleet and Fuel Survey fill out your organization information from the 2023 year to receive one or more of our Fleet and Fuel Awards.

Our 2023 Awardees

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be awarded!

Stakeholder News

Welcome Will Adams, Sr. - Opal Fuels

Will is the new Central Sales Director for Opal Fuels covering our central Texas area.

OPAL Fuels builds, owns, and operates custom-designed RNG fueling stations strategically located to meet the precise needs of fleet operators given the vehicle duty cycles. They provide industry-leading, 24/7 service – and are able to pass on all RNG carbon credits and incentives through lower fuel costs. Over 5,000 Class 8 trucks currently fuel at their stations every day.

Of Texas’s 90+ CNG stations, Opal has built forty of them with more planned. One of their most recent stations was built in Round Rock for Atmos Energy.

Will brings experience in EV charging with ChargePoint and Noodoe, as well as over twelve years of experience in the fleet rental and leasing space both with Ryder & PACCAR.

Contact Wadams@opalfuels.com or (817) 805-8999 for information on Opal and their work with RNG and CNG.

Adele Noel, the Air Quality Project Manager from Travis County is taking a different approach to help lower greenhouse gasses (GHGs) by implementing a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Reduction program. We met with Adele to discuss how she set up Travis County’s program, The Commuter Leave Incentive Programs (CLIPS), and learned about some of the outcomes; plus the challenges of incentivizing her program to employees, the tools, and resources of how she started this program.

Learn more about How to Kickstart a Vehicle Mile Traveled(VMT) Reduction Program and get more in-depth background on VMT and tips specific to Hays, Travis, Bastrop, Cadwell, and Williamson Counties using our resource guide.

Grants and Fundings

Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive Program (Funding $10M)

Light-duty Program Now Accepting Grant Applications

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.

Texas Hydrogen Infrastructure, Vehicle, and Equipment Program (THIVE) (Funding $10M) ​

Grants for Hydrogen Infrastructure, Vehicles, and Equipment

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) is now accepting applications for The Texas Hydrogen Infrastructure, Vehicle, and Equipment Grant Program (THIVE). Grants are available for a various counties across Texas (Map of Eligible Counties). Eligible projects include:

  • Replacing or repowering the following with hydrogen-powered models or powertrains: On-road heavy-duty motor vehicles (such as transit buses, school buses, haul trucks, etc.); and Non-road heavy-duty equipment (such as forklifts, cargo-handling equipment, etc.).

  • Purchasing or leasing new heavy-duty motor vehicles and non-road equipment powered by hydrogen.

  • Installing hydrogen refueling infrastructure.

    Applications will be accepted and considered on a first-come, first-served basis until 5:00 p.m. on February 27, 2024 or until all available funds have been awarded.  

    Here are the step-by-step instructions to apply.

 

 

EVENTS

Tuesday, January 30, 2024 @ Noon – 12:45 PM CST

Shems Duval is the force behind Austin Energy’s Plug-in-Everywhere network which includes Level 2 and DC Fast Chargers. She’ll discuss some of their challenges during the planning and installation phases and invites Fleet Managers, Sustainability Officers, and similar positions to share challenges and successes.