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Frequently Asked Questions Q: What Vehicles Are Eligible for OGF? A: Buses, medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks, locomotives, construction equipment and cargo handling vehicles are eligible for this program. Light-duty commercial and passenger vehicles also are eligible. At this time it does not include vehicles involved in agricultural operations, mining, or marine vessels. Q: What Data Does OGF Collect from Fleets? A: Fleets interested in being considered for Ohio Green Fleet designation must submit specific data that is applicable to their fleet operations. Specific data required includes the make, model, and year of all vehicles as well as information on per vehicle fuel consumption, idling hours, mileage, and all green technologies applied. Q: What Emissions are Targeted for Reduction? A: OFG will measure reductions in four specific emissions: § Fine Particulate Matter – 2.5 Microns (PM2.5) § Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) § Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) § Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Q: Why Were These Emissions Chosen? A: PM2.5 was selected because 27 of Ohio’s 88 counties are in non-attainment for this federal criteria pollutant. Ohio has the highest level of PM2.5 pollution per square mile of any Midwestern state. NOx and VOCs were chosen because both are components of ground-level ozone. 36 Ohio counties are in non-attainment status for ozone. Carbon dioxide was chosen because it is the primary emissions culprit of climate change. Q: What Data is OGF Evaluation Based On? A: In order to estimate reductions in these emissions with accuracy, OGF will utilize emissions data and quantification tools from the USEPA, California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). OGF will use tools such as the EPA’s Diesel Emission Quantifier and Green Vehicle Guide as well as information from the DOE’s Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center. To ensure that government data sources accurately correspond to fleet data, OGF will only recognize emissions reduction equipment that is EPA or CARB “verified.” For cleaner fuels, the program will consider testing from EPA, CARB, and/or DOE’s national energy laboratories such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Q: How is OGF Evaluation Conducted? A: OGF will use submitted data to establish a “business as usual” baseline for fuel consumption and vehicle emissions for each fleet being evaluated. After a fleet specific baseline has been created, OGF will create a new baseline incorporating the impact of all green technologies that have been applied. The difference in both actual and percentage reductions will be established and input into the OGF scoring system to assess final certification level. Q: Can You Explain the Data Evaluation In More Detail? A: Calculating Baseline Emissions: OGF will use the supplied data to establish emissions baselines for vehicles and fleets. These baselines will be based on emissions factors from the EPA Quantifier tool (or other tool, if light duty vehicles) for each vehicle or vehicle type in the fleet multiplied by fuel consumed and miles or hours used. If a fleet has taken actions already (e.g. installed aftermarket diesel particulate filters or other devises in some vehicles) we will not include the reductions achieved in the baselines. Baseline emissions will assume use of fuel required by regulation (e.g. ULSD for on-road diesel vehicles). If your fleet uses cleaner fuels or lower emitting vehicles, the baseline for your fleet will assume use of standard fuels and typical vehicles. The emissions baseline will cover all vehicles in your fleet expressed in tons per year for each of the four pollutants of concern for OGF. A: Calculating Emissions Reduced: After completing the baseline for each fleet and each emission, OGF will calculate the emission reduction impacts of the various (individual or multiple) emission reduction strategies that your fleet employs. The result will be a new set of emissions numbers for each pollutant of concern for the entire fleet. Clean Fuels Ohio and its partners will evaluate diesel fleet emissions reductions using government data and tools. Tools and data used to estimate emissions reductions will vary based on types of vehicles. For example, different tools and data sets will be used to evaluate medium to heavy-duty diesels compared with light duty vehicles. Again, for emissions reduction equipment, only EPA or CARB verified technologies will be considered. Q: Are Light Duty and Heavy Duty Vehicles Treated Differently? A: We will evaluate light duty vehicles emissions reductions based on USEPA’s certified emissions levels for each year, make and model. Fleets can get emissions reduction credit for acquiring vehicles that achieve lower emissions levels (and fuel consumption) compared with a typical or average emission level for that vehicle class or type of application. For example, replacing typical midsize or SUV passenger vehicles with compacts or hybrids that achieve lower certified emission levels would earn emissions reduction points. Q: What is the OGF Scoring System? A: OGF will use a scoring system to determine whether and at what level each fleet qualifies for an Ohio Green Fleet designation. The scoring system is designed to measure and recognize actual performance in reducing emissions based on whatever reduction strategies are chosen. Q: How Does the Scoring System Work? A: Percentage Emissions Reductions: Diesel fleets will earn one point for each percentage of reduction of PM2.5, NOx, and CO2. Reductions of VOCs will earn 1/10 of a point per percent. Gasoline fleets will earn one point per percent reduction for each of the four emissions. Fleets that include gasoline and diesel vehicles will earn points based on proportionate reductions. A: Percentage Fuel Use and Petroleum Use Reductions: The fleet will earn an additional ½ point for each percentage reduction in overall fuel consumption and/or an additional ½ point for each percentage reduction in overall petroleum fuel consumption. Fleets using bio-based lubricants for all (or most) vehicles can earn one additional point. Q: How are Final Certifications Made? A: OGF will add points from all five factors that account for reductions in the four emissions of concern, total fuel and total petroleum reduction, and use of advanced technologies to get a cumulative point total. This point total will be used to determine whether a fleet qualifies for designation as an “Ohio Green Fleet” and what level of designation, one, three or five stars, has been earned. One-Star – at least 40 total points Three-Star – at least 80 total points Five-Star – at least 120 total points Q: Where can I find more information? A: Please visit www.OhioGreenFleets.org or contact: Clean Fuels Ohio 3400 N. High St, Suite 430 Columbus OH, 43202 P: 614-884-7336 F: 509-984-7336 Email:
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Website: www.CleanFuelsOhio.org
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