The Midwest Alternative Fuel Corridor Convening was the first in a series of regional convenings sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration. It was hosted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) in St. Paul on June 12, 2018. A total of 52 stakeholders participated, five of which participated remotely via teleconference. The convening focused on addressing the barriers and opportunities to expanding the network of alternative fuel corridors in the Midwest. A planning committee comprised of alternative fuel stakeholders in the region was formed to help shape the agenda for the convening.
The Midwest Alternative Fuel Corridor Convening took place on June 12, 2018 in St. Paul Minnesota
Webinar Follow-up
The Federal Highway Administration, Cadmus, and CALSTART hosted this webinar as a follow up to the Midwest Alternative Fuel Corridor Convening held in St. Paul on June 12, 2018. The webinar provided an overview of the convening, convening key outcomes and lessons learned, updates from key alternative fuel partnerships in the Midwest, and an update on the development of the corridor version of the Alternative Fuels Data Center Station Locator tool.
Convening Agenda and Summary Report
Midwest Alternative Fuel Corridor Convening Agenda and Summary Report
Get the agenda and summary report from the Midwest Alternative Fuel Corridor Convening.
Convening Fact Sheets
Helpful Tools for Alternative Fuel Corridor Planning
An overview of online tools that can assist transportation planners with implementing alternative fuel corridors across the United States.
Electric Vehicle Fact Sheets for Midwest States
Electric vehicle fact sheets for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Developed by Argonne National Laboratory.
Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling Information
Materials developed by Argonne National Laboratory on the processes, opportunities, and challenges associated with recycling electric vehicle batteries.
Background and Considerations for Planning Corridor Charging
A document summarizing the background of electric vehicle charging technologies, as well as key information that stakeholders need to consider when planning corridor charging facilities. Developed by Marcy Rood at the Argonne National Laboratory.
Convening Materials
Host Welcome
Minnesota leadership and the FHWA’s lead on alternative fuel corridors provided welcome and introductory remarks on the importance of regional coordination and partnerships to support the development of alternative fuel corridors and a sustainable transportation network.
Charles Zelle, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Diane Turchetta, Transportation Specialist, U.S. Federal Highway Administration
Setting the Stage: Partnership Goals and Objectives
Meeting hosts presented convening objectives to enhance multi-state collaboration, evaluate key barriers, and find solutions to advance alternative fuel corridors in the Midwest.
Geoff Morrison, Senior Associate, Sustainable Transportation Practice, Cadmus
Alycia Gilde, Director, CALSTART
Designated Corridors and Infrastructure Gap Analysis
FHWA provided an update on regional alternative fuel corridors analysis, highlighting potential target areas for continued corridor development.
Mike Scarpino, Transportation Project Engineer, and Stephen Costa, Technical Analyst, U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe Center
Midwest Alternative Fuel Corridor Initiatives
Partners throughout the region presented on innovative programs currently advancing alternative fuel corridors for electric, hydrogen, propane, and compressed natural gas vehicles.
Carl Lisek, Executive Director, South Shore Clean Cities
Lisa Thurstin, Senior Manager, Clean Fuel & Vehicle Technologies, American Lung Association and Minnesota Clean Cities
Tim Sexton, Director, Transit and Active Transportation, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Mark Finnicum, Chief Operations Officer, Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA)
Filling the Gap: Strategy, Technology, and Partnership for Infrastructure Development
Public and private partners discussed the challenges and best practices for the planning and implementation of alternative fuel corridors. Technology and fuel suppliers, utilities, government and fleets shared perspectives on how to “fill the infrastructure gap.”
Gilbert Nunez, Manager, Customer Solutions and Business Development, Alliant Energy
Joel Fasnacht, Business Development, Alternative and Commercial Fuels, Kwik Trip
Kevin Miller, Director, Public Policy, ChargePoint
Ryan Erickson, General Manager of Strategic Development, Trillium
Jeff Hove, Fuels Specialist, National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO)
Sneak Preview: Alternative Fuels Data Center Station Locator Redesign and Corridor Tool
NREL shared upcoming changes to the AFDC alternative fueling station locator and introduced a corridor tool under development, allowing attendees to provide their input and feedback.
Matt Rahill, Alternative Fuels Data Center Lead, and Johanna Levene, Manager – Transportation Data and Tools, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Improving Visibility: Posting Signage and Promoting Benefits of Alternative Fuel Corridors
Partners discussed the strategies, partnerships, and resources required to build awareness on the availability and benefits of alternative fuel corridors, as well as experiences developing corridor signage and how strategic outreach can drive demand and market growth for advanced vehicles.
Ryan Erickson, General Manager of Strategic Development, Trillium
Lorrie Lisek, Executive Director, Wisconsin Clean Cities and Carl Lisek, Executive Director, South Shore Clean Cities
Samantha Bingham, Clean Transportation Program Director, Chicago Department of Transportation & Chicago Area Clean Cities
Funding for Corridors: Federal & State Funds, Volkswagen Settlement and Innovative Financing
Partners evaluated the challenges and opportunities to fund alternative fuel infrastructure projects to expand corridors. Topics included federal grant programs such as the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program, state status on Volkswagen Settlement funds and potential use for infrastructure, the role of utilities in infrastructure costs and development, and approaches to innovative financing.
Samantha Bingham, Clean Transportation Program Director, Chicago Department of Transportation & Chicago Area Clean Cities
Leigh Oesterling, Planning and Environment Team Leader, Ohio FHWA Division Office
Angie Poole, Transportation Planner, Iowa Department of Transportation
Our Path Forward: Sustaining Partnerships for Corridor Growth
Partners summarized convening outcomes, evaluated opportunities to improve regional coordination, committed to partnership, and put forth actions to expand alternative fuel corridors and the marketplace for advanced vehicle technologies in the Midwest.
