Availability of Fiscal Year 2008 Clean Fuels Grant Program Funds: Solicitation of Project Proposals, 29843-29846 [E8-11224]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 100 / Thursday, May 22, 2008 / Notices
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
program-wide basis. FTA selected
projects to include all significant
technologies within a centrally-managed
program. By granting a waiver for the
entire program, FTA can decrease the
start-up time for individual projects.
Otherwise, each project would have to
apply for waivers on a case-by-case
basis. This is impractical in a research
setting. Research projects often
encounter unexpected problems that
require changes to the scope of work.
The continued development of Fuel Cell
technology will result in more choices
for FTA grantees and better, more
environmentally friendly, buses for the
riding public. Successful
demonstrations through the Fuel Cell
Bus Program will increase awareness of
fuel cell technology and foster a
domestic industry by identifying and
mitigating barriers and uncertainties in
the market. A limited waiver to support
research and development would
increase and improve domestic
technical expertise. Moreover, a fullyinclusive public interest waiver will
allow Fuel Cell Bus Program
participants to collaborate to achieve the
program goals in an appropriate
timeframe. By reducing risk and
expanding expertise, the Fuel Cell Bus
Program will improve the availability of
capital for a self-sustaining domestic
fuel cell industry.
For the foregoing reasons, FTA
proposes to waive its Buy America
requirements for all projects funded
through its Fuel Cell Bus Program.
Quick and successful deployment of
fuel cell bus technology and
infrastructure is in the public interest.
Fuel cell technology will benefit the
environment by lessening carbon
emissions, decreasing the use of
petroleum and other fossil fuels.
Allowing foreign technologies will
allow the project teams to focus on
commercial viability instead of having
to make fundamental advances
independent of existing technology.
Ultimately, this will lead to increased
domestic demand for fuel cell bus
technology and infrastructure, resulting
in a sustainable U.S. market.
FTA seeks comment from all
interested parties. Please submit
comments by May 29, 2008. Late-filed
comments will be considered to the
extent practicable.
Issued this 15th day of May, 2008.
Severn E.S. Miller,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. E8–11403 Filed 5–21–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–57–P
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Availability of Fiscal Year 2008 Clean
Fuels Grant Program Funds:
Solicitation of Project Proposals
Federal Transit Administration
(FTA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) announces the
availability of funds in Fiscal Year (FY)
2008 for the Discretionary Clean Fuels
Grant Program, authorized by the Safe,
Accountable, Flexible, Efficient,
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For
Users (SAFETEA–LU). The Clean Fuels
Grant Program makes funds available to
assist non-attainment or maintenance
areas in achieving or maintaining the
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
for ozone or carbon monoxide (CO).
Additionally, the program supports
emerging clean fuel and advanced
propulsion technologies for transit
buses and markets for those
technologies. The authorizing
legislation allows for the Secretary of
Transportation to make awards under
this program at her discretion in nonattainment or maintenance areas for
ozone or CO.
In FY 2008, $49,000,000 was available
for the discretionary Clean Fuels Grant
program; $20,247,000 of the available
funding was earmarked to specific
projects authorized in SAFETEA–LU.
The $28,753,000 of Clean Fuels Grant
program funding that was unallocated
in FY 2008 remains available for
discretionary award.
This announcement is available on
the Internet on the FTA Web site at:
https://www.fta.dot.gov. FTA will
announce final selections on the Web
site and in the Federal Register. A
synopsis of this announcement will be
posted in the FIND module of the
government-wide electronic grants Web
site at https://www.grants.gov. Proposals
may be submitted to FTA electronically
at cfnofa@dot.gov or through the
GRANTS.GOV ‘‘APPLY’’ function.
Those who apply via e-mail at
cfnofa@dot.gov should receive a
confirmation e-mail within 2 business
days.
DATES: Complete proposals for the Clean
Fuels Grant Program must be submitted
by July 21, 2008. The proposals must be
submitted electronically through the
GRANTS.GOV Web site or via e-mail at
cfnofa@dot.gov. Anyone intending to
apply electronically through
GRANTS.GOV should initiate the
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29843
process of registering on the
GRANTS.GOV site immediately to
ensure completion of registration before
the deadline for submission. FTA will
announce grant selections in the
Federal Register when the selection
process is complete.
Supplemental information
that cannot be submitted electronically
may be submitted to the appropriate
Regional Office (See Appendix A).
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Contact the appropriate FTA Regional
Office for general program information
(Appendix A). For application-specific
information and issues, contact
Kimberly Sledge, Office of Transit
Programs, (202) 366–2053, E-mail:
kimberly.sledge@dot.gov or Henrika
Buchanan-Smith, (202) 366–4020, Email: henrika.buchanan-smith@dot.gov.
A TDD is available at 1–800–877–8339
(TDD/FIRS).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Table of Contents
I. Funding Opportunity Description
II. Award Information
III. Eligibility Information
IV. Application and Submission Information
V. Application Review, Selection, and
Notification
VI. Award Administration
Appendix A FTA Regional Offices
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Authority
The program is authorized under
Section 5308(b) of SAFETEA–LU, Pub.
L 109–59, August 10, 2005.
‘‘The Secretary shall make grants in
accordance with this section to
recipients to finance eligible projects.’’
B. Background
The program was first established as
the Clean Fuels Formula Grant Program
in Section 3008 of the Transportation
Equity Act for the 21st Century, Pub. L.
105–178, June 9, 1998. The program was
developed to assist non-attainment or
maintenance areas in achieving or
maintaining the National Ambient Air
Quality Standards for ozone and CO.
Additionally, the program supported
emerging clean fuel and advanced
propulsion technologies for transit
buses and markets for those
technologies. Although the program was
authorized as a formula grant program,
Congress did not allocate funds to the
program. SAFETEA–LU changed the
Clean Fuels Program from a formula
based grant program to a discretionary
grant program. However, the program
retained its initial purpose.
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 100 / Thursday, May 22, 2008 / Notices
II. Award Information
In FY 2008, $28,753,000 in Clean
Fuels Program funds are available to
fund capital projects in areas that are
maintenance or non-attainment for
ozone or CO. These funds are available
at up to 90 percent of the net
incremental of the clean fuels
component.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants under this program
are designated recipients, which are
entities designated to receive Federal
urbanized formula funds under 49
U.S.C. 5307. Areas with multiple transit
operators but one designated recipient
should submit a consolidated proposal.
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
B. Eligible Expenses
SAFETEA–LU grants authority to the
Secretary to make grants under this
section to assist recipients to finance
eligible projects such as the following;
(1) Purchasing or leasing clean fuel
buses, including buses that employ a
lightweight composite primary structure
and vans for use in revenue service. The
purchase or lease of non-revenue
vehicles is not an eligible project. A
definition of ‘‘clean fuel’’ vehicles can
be found in the Clean Fuel Grant
Program Regulation at 49 CFR 624.3.
(2) Constructing or leasing clean fuel
bus facilities or electrical recharging
facilities and related equipment.
Facilities and related equipment for
clean diesel buses are not eligible.
(3) Projects relating to clean fuel,
biodiesel, hybrid electric, or zero
emissions technology buses that exhibit
equivalent or superior emissions
reductions to existing clean fuel or
hybrid electric technologies.
Funds made available under this
program cannot be used to fund
operating expenses or preventive
maintenance. Funds made available
under this program cannot be used to
reimburse projects that have incurred
prior eligible expenses without a Letter
of No Prejudice (LONP) issued by FTA
for the project before the costs are
incurred.
C. Cost Sharing or Matching
Costs will be shared at the following
ratio: 90 percent FTA/10 percent local
contribution for net incremental cost of
the clean fuels component or 83 percent
FTA/17 percent local contribution for
the total project cost when purchasing
vehicles. The Federal share for biodiesel
buses is 90 percent/10 percent local
share of the total project cost. FTA will
not approve deferred local share under
this program.
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IV. Application and Submission
Information
A. Proposal Submission Process
Project proposals may be submitted
electronically through https://
www.grants.gov or by e-mail
electronically at cfnofa@dot.gov. Mail
and fax submissions will not be
accepted except for supplemental
information that cannot be sent
electronically.
Applicants can only apply for funds
appropriated for the 2008 fiscal year.
However, an applicant may propose a
project that would expend money over
multiple years. The project, however,
should be ready to implement and
should be completed in a reasonable
period of time. In sum, the period of
performance of the award is separate
from the year of funds of the award.
B. Application Content
(1) Applicant Information
This addresses basic identifying
information, including:
i. Applicant name,
ii. Contact information (including
contact name, address, fax and phone
number,
iii. Description of services provided
by the agency, including areas served,
and
iv. Existing fleet, facility and
employee information, and
v. A description of your technical,
legal, and financial capacity to
implement the proposed project.
(2) Project Information
Every proposal must:
i. Describe the project to be funded
and include with the proposal any
necessary supporting documentation.
Example: Information on the age of the
current fleet, Metropolitan Planning
Organization (MPO) concurrence letters,
population forecasts, ridership
information.
ii. Address each of the evaluation
criteria separately.
iii. Describe why the project is
important to the area and how the
project addresses local priorities.
iv. Provide a line item budget for the
project.
v. Provide the Federal amount
requested for each purpose for which
funds are sought.
vi. Document matching funds,
including amount and source of the
match.
vii. Provide project time-line,
including significant milestones such as
date or contract for purchase of
vehicle(s), actual or expected delivery
date of vehicles and contract award and
completion of facility improvements.
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C. Funding Restrictions
Only proposals from eligible
recipients for eligible activities will be
considered for funding (see Section III).
Due to funding limitations, applicants
that are selected for funding may receive
less than the amount requested.
D. Other Submission Requirements
Applicants should submit 3 copies of
any supplemental information that
cannot be submitted electronically to
the appropriate regional office.
Supplemental information submitted in
hardcopy must be postmarked by July
21, 2008.
V. Application Review Information
A. Project Evaluation Criteria
Projects will be evaluated according
to the following criteria:
(1) Demonstrated Need
i. Project represents a one-time or
periodic need that cannot reasonably be
funded from formula allocations or State
and/or local revenues.
ii. Project or applicant did not receive
funding in a SAFETEA–LU earmark.
iii. The project will have a positive
impact on air quality.
iv. The project is consistent with the
applicant’s bus fleet management plan.
v. The project is a transportation
control measure in an approved State
Implementation Plan.
(2) Planning and Prioritization at Local/
Regional Level
i. Project is consistent with the transit
priorities identified in the long range
plan and/or contingency/illustrative
projects. The project could not be
included in the financially constrained
Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP)/
Statewide Transportation Program
(STIP) due to lack of funding (if
selected, project must be on TIP before
grant award).
ii. Local support is demonstrated by
availability of local match for this and/
or related projects and letters of support.
iii. In an area with more than one
transit operator, the application
demonstrates coordination with and
support of other transit operators, or
other related projects within the
applicant’s MPO or the geographic
region within which the proposed
project will operate.
(3) The Project Is Ready To Implement
i. Any required environmental work
has been initiated for construction
projects requiring an Environmental
Assessment (EA).
ii. Implementation plans are ready,
including initial design of facilities
projects.
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iii. TIP/STIP can be amended
(evidenced by MPO/State endorsement).
vi. Project can be obligated and
implemented quickly, if selected.
(4) The applicant demonstrates the
benefits of the proposed project in
reducing transportation related
pollutants.
(5) The proposed project supports
emerging clean fuels technologies or
advanced technologies for transit buses.
(6) The applicant demonstrates the
technical, legal, and financial capacity
to carry out the project. This criterion
refers to implementation of the
particular project proposed.
i. The applicant has the technical
capacity to administer the project.
ii. The acquisition is consistent with
the bus fleet management plan.
iii. There are no outstanding legal,
technical, or financial issues with the
grantee that would make this a high risk
project.
iv. Source of local match is identified
and is available for prompt project
implementation if selected (no deferred
local share will be allowed).
B. Review and Selection Process
Proposals will first be screened and
ranked by the appropriate FTA regional
office (see Appendix A). After
evaluating the projects based on the
established criteria, the headquarters
review team will provide a
recommendation to the FTA
Administrator. The Administrator will
determine the final selection and
amount of funding for each project.
FTA will publish the list of all
selected projects and funding levels in
the Federal Register. Regional offices
will also notify successful applicants of
their success and the amount of funding
awarded to the project.
VI. Award Administration Information
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A. Award Notices
FTA will screen all proposals to
determine whether all required
eligibility elements, as described in III
‘‘Eligibility Information’’ are present.
Once proposals have been reviewed and
projects have been selected, FTA will
award funds to the lead project sponsor
to implement the project. These grants
will be administered and managed by
the FTA regional offices in accordance
with the federal requirements of the
Section 5308 program. FTA will award
funding to successful applicants
through a grant in FTA’s TEAM grant
management system.
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B. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements
1. Grant Requirements
If selected, applicants will apply for a
grant through TEAM and adhere to the
customary FTA grant requirements of
the Section 5308 Clean Fuels Grant
program, including those of the current
version of FTA C 9300 and the Master
Agreement. Discretionary grants greater
than $500,000 will go through
Congressional Notification and release
process. Technical assistance regarding
these requirements is available from
each FTA regional office.
The Applicant must submit the
Certifications and Assurances prior to
receiving a grant. The Applicant assures
that it will comply with all applicable
Federal statutes, regulations, executive
orders, FTA circulars, and other Federal
administrative requirements in carrying
out any project supported by the FTA
grant. The Applicant acknowledges that
it is under a continuing obligation to
comply with the terms and conditions
of the grant agreement issued for its
project with FTA. The Applicant
understands that Federal laws,
regulations, policies, and administrative
practices might be modified from time
to time and affect the implementation of
the project. The Applicant agrees that
the most recent Federal requirements
will apply to the project, unless FTA
issues a written determination
otherwise.
2. Planning
Applicants are encouraged to notify
the appropriate State DOT and MPO in
areas likely to be served by the project
funds made available under this
program. Incorporation of funded
projects in the long range plans and
transportation improvement programs of
States and metropolitan areas is
required of all funded projects.
3. Reporting
Post-award reporting requirements for
grantees who purchase or lease hybrid
electric, battery electric and fuel cell
vehicles include semiannual submission
of the following for the first three years
of the useful life of the vehicle (this
report should be attached in TEAM):
i. Vehicle miles traveled;
ii. Fuel/energy costs;
iii. Vehicle fuel/energy consumption
and oil consumption;
iv. Number of road calls or
breakdowns resulting from clean fuel
and advanced propulsion technology
systems; and
v. Maintenance costs associated with
the clean fuels or advanced propulsion
system.
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Note: Recipients of financial assistance
under 49 U.S.C. 5308 that purchase or lease
compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied
natural gas (LNG), and liquefied petroleum
gas (LPG) vehicles may report the
information described above, but this
reporting is voluntary. Recipients of financial
assistance under 49 U.S.C. 5308 that
purchase or lease clean diesel vehicles are
not required to report information beyond
FTA grant reporting requirements for capital
projects.
VII. Agency Contact(s)
Contact the appropriate FTA Regional
Office (see Appendix A) for applicationspecific information and issues. For
general program information, contact
Kimberly Sledge, Office of Transit
Programs, (202) 366–2053, e-mail:
kimberly.sledge@dot.gov. A TDD is
available at 1–800–877–8339 (TDD/
FIRS).
Issued in Washington, DC, this 14th day of
May, 2008.
James S. Simpson,
Administrator.
Appendix A
Richard H. Doyle, Regional
Administrator, Region 1–Boston,
Kendall Square, 55 Broadway, Suite
920, Cambridge, MA 02142–1093, Tel.
617–494–2055, States served:
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and
Vermont
Brigid Hynes-Cherin, Regional
Administrator, Region 2–New York,
One Bowling Green, Room 429, New
York, NY 10004–1415, Tel. 212–668–
2170, States served: New Jersey, New
York
Letitia Thompson, Regional
Administrator, Region 3–
Philadelphia, 1760 Market Street,
Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA 19103–
4124, Tel. 215–656–7100, States
served: Delaware, Maryland,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia,
and District of Columbia
Yvette Taylor, Regional Administrator,
Region 4–Atlanta, 230 Peachtree
Street, NW., Suite 800, Atlanta, GA
30303, Tel. 404–865–5600, States
served: Alabama, Florida, Georgia,
Kentucky, Mississippi Islands
Marisol Simon, Regional Administrator,
Region 5–Chicago, 200 West Adams
Street, Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60606,
Tel. 312–353–2789, States served:
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin
Robert C. Patrick, Regional
Administrator, Region 6–Ft. Worth,
819 Taylor Street, Room 8A36, Ft.
Worth, TX 76102, Tel. 817–978–0550,
States served: Arkansas, Louisiana,
Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas
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Mokhtee Ahmad, Regional
Administrator, Region 7–Kansas City,
MO, 901 Locust Street, Room 404,
Kansas City, MO 64106, Tel. 816–
329–3920, States served: Iowa,
Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska
Terry Rosapep, Regional Administrator,
Region 8–Denver, 12300 West Dakota
Ave., Suite 310, Lakewood, CO
80228–2583, Tel. 720–963–3300,
States served: Colorado, Montana,
North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah,
and Wyoming
Leslie T. Rogers, Regional
Administrator, Region 9–San
Francisco, 201 Mission Street, Room
1650, San Francisco, CA 94105–1926,
Tel. 415–744–3133, States served:
American Samoa, Arizona, California,
Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, and the
Northern Mariana Islands
Rick Krochalis, Regional Administrator,
Region 10–Seattle, Jackson Federal
Building, 915 Second Avenue, Suite
3142, Seattle, WA 98174–1002, Tel.
206–220–7954. States served: Alaska,
Idaho, Oregon, and Washington
[FR Doc. E8–11224 Filed 5–21–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–57–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
[Docket ID PHMSA–2007–0056]
Pipeline Safety: Agency Information
Collection Activities: Notice of Request
for Extension of Currently Approved
Information Collection
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This notice invites public
comments about PHMSA’s intention to
request the Office of Management and
Budget’s (OMB) approval for renewal of
four existing information collections.
These information collections are
described below.
DATES: Submit comments on or before
July 21, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Comments should reference
Docket No. PHMSA–RSPA–2004–19854
and may be submitted in the following
ways:
• E-Gov Web Site: https://
www.regulations.gov. This site allows
the public to enter comments on any
Federal Register notice issued by any
agency.
• Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
• Mail: DOT Docket Operations
Facility (M–30), U.S. Department of
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Transportation, West Building, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington,
DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: DOT Docket
Operations Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, West Building, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590 between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
Instructions: In the E-Gov Web site:
https://www.regulations.gov, under
‘‘Search Documents’’ select ‘‘Pipeline
and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration.’’ Next, select ‘‘Notices,’’
and then click ‘‘Submit.’’ Select this
notice by clicking on the docket number
listed above. Submit your comment by
clicking the yellow bubble in the right
column then following the instructions.
Identify docket ID PHMSA–2007–
0056 at the beginning of your
comments. For comments by mail,
please provide two copies. To receive
PHMSA’s confirmation receipt, include
a self-addressed stamped postcard.
Internet users may access all comments
at https://www.regulations.gov, by
following the steps above.
Note: PHMSA will post all comments
without changes or edits to https://
www.regulations.gov including any personal
information provided.
Privacy Act Statement
Anyone can search the electronic
form of all comments received in
response to any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the
comment (or signing the comment, if
submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s
complete Privacy Act Statement was
published in the Federal Register on
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Barbara Betsock, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Office of Pipeline Safety
(PHP–30), Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., East Building,
2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20590–0001,
Telephone (202) 366–4595.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
1320.8(d), Title 5, Code of Federal
Regulations requires PHMSA to provide
interested members of the public and
affected agencies an opportunity to
comment on information collection and
recordkeeping requests. This notice
identifies information collection
requests that PHMSA will be submitting
to OMB for renewal and extension.
These information collections are
contained in the pipeline safety
regulations, 49 CFR parts 190–199.
PHMSA has revised burden estimates,
where appropriate, to reflect current
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reporting levels or adjustments based on
changes in proposed or final rules
published since the information
collections were last approved. The
following information is provided for
each information collection: (1) Title of
the information collection; (2) OMB
control number; (3) abstract of the
information collection activity; (4)
description of affected public; (5)
estimate of total annual reporting and
recordkeeping burden; and (6)
frequency of collection. PHMSA will
request a three-year term of approval for
each information collection activity.
PHMSA requests comments on the
following information collections:
1. Title: Pipeline Safety: Excess Flow
Valves—Customer Notification.
OMB Control Number: 2137–0593.
Type of Request: Renewal of a
currently approved information
collection.
Abstract: Pipeline operators are
required to provide notifications about
excess flow valves to service line
customers as described in 49 CFR
192.383. Upon request, an operator must
make documentation of compliance
available to PHMSA or the appropriate
State regulatory agency.
Estimated number of respondents:
900,000.
Estimated annual burden hours:
18,000 hours.
Frequency of collection: On occasion.
2. Title: Pipeline Safety: CustomerOwned Service Lines.
OMB Control Number: 2137–0594.
Type of Request: Renewal of a
currently approved information
collection.
Abstract: Operators of gas service
lines who do not maintain certain
buried piping of their customers must
provide notification about maintenance
to those customers (49 CFR 192.16).
Upon request, an operator must make
documentation of compliance available
to PHMSA or the appropriate State
regulatory agency.
Estimated number of respondents:
550,000.
Estimated annual burden hours: 9,167
hours.
Frequency of collection: On occasion.
3. Title: Pipeline Safety: Qualification
of Pipeline Safety, Training.
OMB Control Number: 2137–0600.
Type of Request: Renewal of a
currently approved information
collection.
Abstract: Pipeline operators are
required to have continuing programs
for qualifying and training personnel
performing safety-sensitive functions on
pipelines. (49 CFR part 192, subpart N
and 49 CFR part 195, subpart G.
Operators must maintain records, make
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 100 (Thursday, May 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29843-29846]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11224]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Availability of Fiscal Year 2008 Clean Fuels Grant Program
Funds: Solicitation of Project Proposals
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) announces the availability of funds in Fiscal Year
(FY) 2008 for the Discretionary Clean Fuels Grant Program, authorized
by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity
Act: A Legacy For Users (SAFETEA-LU). The Clean Fuels Grant Program
makes funds available to assist non-attainment or maintenance areas in
achieving or maintaining the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for
ozone or carbon monoxide (CO). Additionally, the program supports
emerging clean fuel and advanced propulsion technologies for transit
buses and markets for those technologies. The authorizing legislation
allows for the Secretary of Transportation to make awards under this
program at her discretion in non-attainment or maintenance areas for
ozone or CO.
In FY 2008, $49,000,000 was available for the discretionary Clean
Fuels Grant program; $20,247,000 of the available funding was earmarked
to specific projects authorized in SAFETEA-LU. The $28,753,000 of Clean
Fuels Grant program funding that was unallocated in FY 2008 remains
available for discretionary award.
This announcement is available on the Internet on the FTA Web site
at: https://www.fta.dot.gov. FTA will announce final selections on the
Web site and in the Federal Register. A synopsis of this announcement
will be posted in the FIND module of the government-wide electronic
grants Web site at https://www.grants.gov. Proposals may be submitted to
FTA electronically at cfnofa@dot.gov or through the GRANTS.GOV
``APPLY'' function. Those who apply via e-mail at cfnofa@dot.gov should
receive a confirmation e-mail within 2 business days.
DATES: Complete proposals for the Clean Fuels Grant Program must be
submitted by July 21, 2008. The proposals must be submitted
electronically through the GRANTS.GOV Web site or via e-mail at
cfnofa@dot.gov. Anyone intending to apply electronically through
GRANTS.GOV should initiate the process of registering on the GRANTS.GOV
site immediately to ensure completion of registration before the
deadline for submission. FTA will announce grant selections in the
Federal Register when the selection process is complete.
ADDRESSES: Supplemental information that cannot be submitted
electronically may be submitted to the appropriate Regional Office (See
Appendix A).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact the appropriate FTA Regional
Office for general program information (Appendix A). For application-
specific information and issues, contact Kimberly Sledge, Office of
Transit Programs, (202) 366-2053, E-mail: kimberly.sledge@dot.gov or
Henrika Buchanan-Smith, (202) 366-4020, E-mail: henrika.buchanan-
smith@dot.gov. A TDD is available at 1-800-877-8339 (TDD/FIRS).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Table of Contents
I. Funding Opportunity Description
II. Award Information
III. Eligibility Information
IV. Application and Submission Information
V. Application Review, Selection, and Notification
VI. Award Administration
Appendix A FTA Regional Offices
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Authority
The program is authorized under Section 5308(b) of SAFETEA-LU, Pub.
L 109-59, August 10, 2005.
``The Secretary shall make grants in accordance with this section
to recipients to finance eligible projects.''
B. Background
The program was first established as the Clean Fuels Formula Grant
Program in Section 3008 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st
Century, Pub. L. 105-178, June 9, 1998. The program was developed to
assist non-attainment or maintenance areas in achieving or maintaining
the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone and CO.
Additionally, the program supported emerging clean fuel and advanced
propulsion technologies for transit buses and markets for those
technologies. Although the program was authorized as a formula grant
program, Congress did not allocate funds to the program. SAFETEA-LU
changed the Clean Fuels Program from a formula based grant program to a
discretionary grant program. However, the program retained its initial
purpose.
[[Page 29844]]
II. Award Information
In FY 2008, $28,753,000 in Clean Fuels Program funds are available
to fund capital projects in areas that are maintenance or non-
attainment for ozone or CO. These funds are available at up to 90
percent of the net incremental of the clean fuels component.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants under this program are designated recipients,
which are entities designated to receive Federal urbanized formula
funds under 49 U.S.C. 5307. Areas with multiple transit operators but
one designated recipient should submit a consolidated proposal.
B. Eligible Expenses
SAFETEA-LU grants authority to the Secretary to make grants under
this section to assist recipients to finance eligible projects such as
the following;
(1) Purchasing or leasing clean fuel buses, including buses that
employ a lightweight composite primary structure and vans for use in
revenue service. The purchase or lease of non-revenue vehicles is not
an eligible project. A definition of ``clean fuel'' vehicles can be
found in the Clean Fuel Grant Program Regulation at 49 CFR 624.3.
(2) Constructing or leasing clean fuel bus facilities or electrical
recharging facilities and related equipment. Facilities and related
equipment for clean diesel buses are not eligible.
(3) Projects relating to clean fuel, biodiesel, hybrid electric, or
zero emissions technology buses that exhibit equivalent or superior
emissions reductions to existing clean fuel or hybrid electric
technologies.
Funds made available under this program cannot be used to fund
operating expenses or preventive maintenance. Funds made available
under this program cannot be used to reimburse projects that have
incurred prior eligible expenses without a Letter of No Prejudice
(LONP) issued by FTA for the project before the costs are incurred.
C. Cost Sharing or Matching
Costs will be shared at the following ratio: 90 percent FTA/10
percent local contribution for net incremental cost of the clean fuels
component or 83 percent FTA/17 percent local contribution for the total
project cost when purchasing vehicles. The Federal share for biodiesel
buses is 90 percent/10 percent local share of the total project cost.
FTA will not approve deferred local share under this program.
IV. Application and Submission Information
A. Proposal Submission Process
Project proposals may be submitted electronically through https://
www.grants.gov or by e-mail electronically at cfnofa@dot.gov. Mail and
fax submissions will not be accepted except for supplemental
information that cannot be sent electronically.
Applicants can only apply for funds appropriated for the 2008
fiscal year. However, an applicant may propose a project that would
expend money over multiple years. The project, however, should be ready
to implement and should be completed in a reasonable period of time. In
sum, the period of performance of the award is separate from the year
of funds of the award.
B. Application Content
(1) Applicant Information
This addresses basic identifying information, including:
i. Applicant name,
ii. Contact information (including contact name, address, fax and
phone number,
iii. Description of services provided by the agency, including
areas served, and
iv. Existing fleet, facility and employee information, and
v. A description of your technical, legal, and financial capacity
to implement the proposed project.
(2) Project Information
Every proposal must:
i. Describe the project to be funded and include with the proposal
any necessary supporting documentation. Example: Information on the age
of the current fleet, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
concurrence letters, population forecasts, ridership information.
ii. Address each of the evaluation criteria separately.
iii. Describe why the project is important to the area and how the
project addresses local priorities.
iv. Provide a line item budget for the project.
v. Provide the Federal amount requested for each purpose for which
funds are sought.
vi. Document matching funds, including amount and source of the
match.
vii. Provide project time-line, including significant milestones
such as date or contract for purchase of vehicle(s), actual or expected
delivery date of vehicles and contract award and completion of facility
improvements.
C. Funding Restrictions
Only proposals from eligible recipients for eligible activities
will be considered for funding (see Section III). Due to funding
limitations, applicants that are selected for funding may receive less
than the amount requested.
D. Other Submission Requirements
Applicants should submit 3 copies of any supplemental information
that cannot be submitted electronically to the appropriate regional
office. Supplemental information submitted in hardcopy must be
postmarked by July 21, 2008.
V. Application Review Information
A. Project Evaluation Criteria
Projects will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
(1) Demonstrated Need
i. Project represents a one-time or periodic need that cannot
reasonably be funded from formula allocations or State and/or local
revenues.
ii. Project or applicant did not receive funding in a SAFETEA-LU
earmark.
iii. The project will have a positive impact on air quality.
iv. The project is consistent with the applicant's bus fleet
management plan.
v. The project is a transportation control measure in an approved
State Implementation Plan.
(2) Planning and Prioritization at Local/Regional Level
i. Project is consistent with the transit priorities identified in
the long range plan and/or contingency/illustrative projects. The
project could not be included in the financially constrained
Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP)/Statewide Transportation Program
(STIP) due to lack of funding (if selected, project must be on TIP
before grant award).
ii. Local support is demonstrated by availability of local match
for this and/or related projects and letters of support.
iii. In an area with more than one transit operator, the
application demonstrates coordination with and support of other transit
operators, or other related projects within the applicant's MPO or the
geographic region within which the proposed project will operate.
(3) The Project Is Ready To Implement
i. Any required environmental work has been initiated for
construction projects requiring an Environmental Assessment (EA).
ii. Implementation plans are ready, including initial design of
facilities projects.
[[Page 29845]]
iii. TIP/STIP can be amended (evidenced by MPO/State endorsement).
vi. Project can be obligated and implemented quickly, if selected.
(4) The applicant demonstrates the benefits of the proposed project
in reducing transportation related pollutants.
(5) The proposed project supports emerging clean fuels technologies
or advanced technologies for transit buses.
(6) The applicant demonstrates the technical, legal, and financial
capacity to carry out the project. This criterion refers to
implementation of the particular project proposed.
i. The applicant has the technical capacity to administer the
project.
ii. The acquisition is consistent with the bus fleet management
plan.
iii. There are no outstanding legal, technical, or financial issues
with the grantee that would make this a high risk project.
iv. Source of local match is identified and is available for prompt
project implementation if selected (no deferred local share will be
allowed).
B. Review and Selection Process
Proposals will first be screened and ranked by the appropriate FTA
regional office (see Appendix A). After evaluating the projects based
on the established criteria, the headquarters review team will provide
a recommendation to the FTA Administrator. The Administrator will
determine the final selection and amount of funding for each project.
FTA will publish the list of all selected projects and funding
levels in the Federal Register. Regional offices will also notify
successful applicants of their success and the amount of funding
awarded to the project.
VI. Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices
FTA will screen all proposals to determine whether all required
eligibility elements, as described in III ``Eligibility Information''
are present. Once proposals have been reviewed and projects have been
selected, FTA will award funds to the lead project sponsor to implement
the project. These grants will be administered and managed by the FTA
regional offices in accordance with the federal requirements of the
Section 5308 program. FTA will award funding to successful applicants
through a grant in FTA's TEAM grant management system.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
1. Grant Requirements
If selected, applicants will apply for a grant through TEAM and
adhere to the customary FTA grant requirements of the Section 5308
Clean Fuels Grant program, including those of the current version of
FTA C 9300 and the Master Agreement. Discretionary grants greater than
$500,000 will go through Congressional Notification and release
process. Technical assistance regarding these requirements is available
from each FTA regional office.
The Applicant must submit the Certifications and Assurances prior
to receiving a grant. The Applicant assures that it will comply with
all applicable Federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, FTA
circulars, and other Federal administrative requirements in carrying
out any project supported by the FTA grant. The Applicant acknowledges
that it is under a continuing obligation to comply with the terms and
conditions of the grant agreement issued for its project with FTA. The
Applicant understands that Federal laws, regulations, policies, and
administrative practices might be modified from time to time and affect
the implementation of the project. The Applicant agrees that the most
recent Federal requirements will apply to the project, unless FTA
issues a written determination otherwise.
2. Planning
Applicants are encouraged to notify the appropriate State DOT and
MPO in areas likely to be served by the project funds made available
under this program. Incorporation of funded projects in the long range
plans and transportation improvement programs of States and
metropolitan areas is required of all funded projects.
3. Reporting
Post-award reporting requirements for grantees who purchase or
lease hybrid electric, battery electric and fuel cell vehicles include
semiannual submission of the following for the first three years of the
useful life of the vehicle (this report should be attached in TEAM):
i. Vehicle miles traveled;
ii. Fuel/energy costs;
iii. Vehicle fuel/energy consumption and oil consumption;
iv. Number of road calls or breakdowns resulting from clean fuel
and advanced propulsion technology systems; and
v. Maintenance costs associated with the clean fuels or advanced
propulsion system.
Note: Recipients of financial assistance under 49 U.S.C. 5308
that purchase or lease compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied
natural gas (LNG), and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles may
report the information described above, but this reporting is
voluntary. Recipients of financial assistance under 49 U.S.C. 5308
that purchase or lease clean diesel vehicles are not required to
report information beyond FTA grant reporting requirements for
capital projects.
VII. Agency Contact(s)
Contact the appropriate FTA Regional Office (see Appendix A) for
application-specific information and issues. For general program
information, contact Kimberly Sledge, Office of Transit Programs, (202)
366-2053, e-mail: kimberly.sledge@dot.gov. A TDD is available at 1-800-
877-8339 (TDD/FIRS).
Issued in Washington, DC, this 14th day of May, 2008.
James S. Simpson,
Administrator.
Appendix A
Richard H. Doyle, Regional Administrator, Region 1-Boston, Kendall
Square, 55 Broadway, Suite 920, Cambridge, MA 02142-1093, Tel. 617-494-
2055, States served: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
Rhode Island, and Vermont
Brigid Hynes-Cherin, Regional Administrator, Region 2-New York, One
Bowling Green, Room 429, New York, NY 10004-1415, Tel. 212-668-2170,
States served: New Jersey, New York
Letitia Thompson, Regional Administrator, Region 3-Philadelphia, 1760
Market Street, Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA 19103-4124, Tel. 215-656-
7100, States served: Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West
Virginia, and District of Columbia
Yvette Taylor, Regional Administrator, Region 4-Atlanta, 230 Peachtree
Street, NW., Suite 800, Atlanta, GA 30303, Tel. 404-865-5600, States
served: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi Islands
Marisol Simon, Regional Administrator, Region 5-Chicago, 200 West Adams
Street, Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60606, Tel. 312-353-2789, States served:
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin
Robert C. Patrick, Regional Administrator, Region 6-Ft. Worth, 819
Taylor Street, Room 8A36, Ft. Worth, TX 76102, Tel. 817-978-0550,
States served: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas
[[Page 29846]]
Mokhtee Ahmad, Regional Administrator, Region 7-Kansas City, MO, 901
Locust Street, Room 404, Kansas City, MO 64106, Tel. 816-329-3920,
States served: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska
Terry Rosapep, Regional Administrator, Region 8-Denver, 12300 West
Dakota Ave., Suite 310, Lakewood, CO 80228-2583, Tel. 720-963-3300,
States served: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and
Wyoming
Leslie T. Rogers, Regional Administrator, Region 9-San Francisco, 201
Mission Street, Room 1650, San Francisco, CA 94105-1926, Tel. 415-744-
3133, States served: American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii,
Nevada, and the Northern Mariana Islands
Rick Krochalis, Regional Administrator, Region 10-Seattle, Jackson
Federal Building, 915 Second Avenue, Suite 3142, Seattle, WA 98174-
1002, Tel. 206-220-7954. States served: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and
Washington
[FR Doc. E8-11224 Filed 5-21-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P