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Q: Why not biodiesel in the refuel section?

Q: What is DMF?

Q: Is there a rule of thumb or a threshold cut-off year for vehicles or equipment at which it is not technically feasible or cost effective to retrofit?  Is it 1991 or 1994 for highway trucks? How about off-road machines?

Q: What is a crankcase?

Q: What are typical payback periods and life cycles for the various retrofit technologies?

Q: Why are CVS systems not verified independently, but must be coupled with DOC or DPF?

Q: Tax incentives are not a motivator for government fleets, where would my municipal fleet go for funding assistance?

Q: Could you please explain the acronym SIP?
A: A SIP is a State Implementation Plan (SIP) for air quality. A SIP is required to be submitted to U.S. EPA within 3 years of an area being designated as nonattainment or maintenance for a criteria pollutant. All members included in EPA-approved SIPs are legally enforceable; they must be implemented.

Q: Are CCVFs verified technology?

Q: Might want to mention that EPA has a great emission reduction tool - the DEQ, diesel emission quantifier.  One caution about use of the quantifier is that it cannot be used for SIP development purposes.

Q: Is there a CCVF available that does not require the changing of a filter?

Q: What warranty implications are involved with installing these retrofits?

Q: Is it true that the Clean School Bus program will not be a standalone project but part of the National Clean Diesel Campaign or other program?

Q: Is it a CMAQ requirement that retrofit projects be sent out for bid?
A: Federal procurement rules apply to all federal transportation funds however, going out to competitive bid does not necessarily mean the low bidder wins the award. Depending on the performance requirements, bid specifications, etc. the lowest responsive bidder would usually win the award.

Q: What retrofits are available for school buses and other city trucks to improve fuel efficiency?

Q: Both passive and active DPFs are quite expensive, who will pay to have them installed on all of the pre-2007 diesel vehicles that should have them?

Q: Once you receive funding to do the initial retrofitting of your equipment is additional funding needed to continue the program?

Q: Is a Spiracle CCVF system and non-Donaldson brand DOC combination considered a verified technology? If not, why?

Q: Is there a plan to notify the public about the need to retrofit existing diesel engines on school buses due to emissions?  As it relates to health issues.

Q: Is there a list or data base of "verified" technologies or vendors available based on application?
A: Yes, the U.S. EPA has a data base of verified technologies and it also recognizes the California Air Resources Board verification process. Therefore, any product verified by CARB is also a verified product per EPA’s requirements.

Q: Is there any advice for small municipalities or local governments on getting these kind of programs going- particularly since we're not as technically savvy as everyone here-- but we have a huge mix of equipment both on and off road.

Q: Does a base line need to be established of a pre-retrofit candidate engine and then another reading taken after retrofit to verify emission reductions?  If so, who can do this type of measurements or testing?

Q: Does anyone have experience with dual DPF installations on higher hp off road equipment? And what is your opinion on this type of installation?

Q: What do we do about 2004-2006 buses?  I understand nothing is available for those vehicles.

Q: Why would a vendor to provide all of the vehicle survey work when the project will go to the lowest bidder?
A: See response above on federal procurement requirements.

Q: Don't biodiesel fuels help PM and HC emissions at the expense of increased NOx due to higher temperatures?

Q: Have any of the panelists seen a project that has dealt primarily with fire apparatus?  It seems that these unit are difficult to retrofit.

Q: Is soft match really available for CMAQ? I've gotten a "no" from our FHWA contact, at least on other types of projects.  Names of specific places that have used soft match for CMAQ diesel retrofits would be helpful.
A: The specific matching requirements are at the discretion of the state DOT and/or the MPO. I will attempt to identify a few places that are using soft match and get back to the questioner.

Q: What has been the panels experience with the size of projects?  It seems that projects cover only a couple of vehicles at a time.  How do you get funding for large fleets?  How difficult is it to combine the different types of funds?

Q: MDE has partnered with the City of Baltimore, City of Annapolis and Montgomery County to retrofit fire trucks and ambulances with DOCs.

Q: Is it becoming typical to see DPFs mounted to the top off a  machine cab?

Q: I've heard that one of the most promising areas is the EPA SmartWay program that combines retrofitting with fuel efficiency improvements.  Has anyone had experience with that?