Purpose of the Pilot Project
To help incubate the acceptance of alternative fuels and stimulate private infrastructure investment, WSDOT is exploring opportunities for partnerships with the private sector and other public agencies to establish and promote alternative refueling facilities along the major interstate highways in Washington, but particularly along Interstate 5.
Alternative Fuels Corridor: Key factor in reducing transportation Green House Gas emissions
In Washington, motor vehicles produce more than half of all air pollutants, and contribute nearly half of the greenhouse gas emissions in the state. As owners and operators of the state transportation system, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is committed to strategies that can help mitigate these adverse environmental impacts.
One such strategy is to encourage the use of cleaner-burning fuels. A significant obstacle to market acceptance of alternative fuel vehicles is the uncertain availability of refueling stations. Consumers are reluctant to purchase these new-technology vehicles if the supply and availability of the fuels are in doubt. Furthermore, most retail gas stations are not able to take the investment risk of installing alternative fuel dispensing facilities for a product that is unproven in the marketplace. By partnering with the private sector and bearing some of the cost and/or risk, the state is seeking to spur the development of an alternative fuels distribution network.
Alternative Fuels Corridor Concept
An Alternative Fuels Corridor is a series of alternative fuel distribution sites conveniently located for the traveling public to meet the emerging need for such supplies. The concept for the “Alternative Fuels Corridor” includes evenly spaced alternative fueling stations traversing the length of Interstate 5 from British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Baja, California.
By making alternative fuel more readily available, demand for vehicles powered by energy other than petroleum-based fuels should grow, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased energy independence.
Corridors of the Future: Tri-State Alt Fuels Initiative
In September of 2007, USDOT announced that I-5 had been designated as a Corridor of the Future. The purpose of the Corridors of the Future Program is to develop innovative national and regional approaches to reduce congestion and improve the efficiency of freight delivery. Part of the application submitted by Washington, Oregon and California included the development of alternative fuels distribution along the corridor as a possible interstate initiative for a future focused, sustainable transportation corridor.
In furtherance of this interstate initiative, Washington, Oregon and California signed a tri-state Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in September, 2008. The three states have agreed to work together to foster the use of alternative fuel vehicles by developing the distribution network for alternative fuels throughout the I-5 Corridor. The memorandum lays out common goals, a work plan and activities designed to further the development of this alternative fuels corridor.
International Agreements/Efforts
Washington and British Columbia signed a memorandum in June, 2008. The State and Province have agreed to work together to develop a strong and viable alternative fuels network that will benefit both the environment and the economies of the State and Province, supporting projects or programs within their respective jurisdictions that advance the goal of the Highway 99/I-5 Corridor as an alternative fuels corridor.
WSDOT Alternative Fuels Corridor Economic Feasibility Analysis
The 2007 Legislature directed WSDOT, through its Public-Private Partnerships Office to explore the feasibility of distributing alternative fuels along state Department of Transportation rights-of-way.
The primary goal of the analysis is to explore and suggest one or more strategies for creating effective public/private partnerships for the retail distribution of alternative fuels and other new propulsion technologies. This analysis will also consider a range of compatible services that could be combined with alternative fuel distribution to help such refueling stations become self-sustaining, or even better, capable of widespread adoption in the marketplace. Examples of compatible services might include alternative power supply for parked trucks (to reduce truck idling); solar power generation; public access points for Intelligent Transportation System technologies, etc. The analysis will also suggest how WSDOT could effectively brand and market the I-5 Alternative Fuels corridor to enhance visibility and promote the expanded use of alternative fuels.
The results of the analysis are available here.
Impacts and Benefits to Existing Fuel Retailers
It is not the state's intention to become the operator of alternative fuel stations. The study's main goal is to determine whether government can help incubate private infrastructure investment in emerging alternative fuel technologies, where none (or little) exists, by partnering with private businesses, offering use of state lands as possible host sites. WSDOT will avoid hosting refueling sites in geographic areas where existing businesses already provide sales of alternative fuels and will help to promote existing businesses throughout the corridor.
Next Steps
The WSDOT Office of Public/Private Partnerships will report the results of the analysis to the Legislature during the 2009 session.
Additionally, if the analysis indicates that there is an economic model that would support the deployment of a retail distribution of alternative fuels, the Office of Public/Private Partnerships will develop a work plan and time table for seeking public and private partners to provide alternative fueling services with the corridor.
For more information on this pilot project please contact the WSDOT Office of Public/Private Partnerships at 360-705-7023.