Steering Committee Meeting
November 15, 2005
Hamilton County Environmental Services
8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Meeting Minutes

Those present:

Michael Brown, Metro
Don Chapman, Kenton County Airport Board (KCAB)
Gerald Checco, Cincinnati Park Board
Rich Corbett, Consolidated Printing and Publishing Company
Ken Edgell, Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services
David Jones, Cinergy
Steve Krebs, Lykins Oil
Stephanie Hines, OSU Extension
Kim Lahman, Tri-State Clean Fuels Network
Steve Proffitt, Mid-Valley Supply

I. Introductions/Announcements:
David Jones gave an overview of Cinergy’s plan to develop a mobile emissions strategy. It will be used as a planning tool for the future and will quantify changes. The strategy will include a baseline for emissions and clean fuel technology. David requested suggestions from the group and will make his email address available to all. Kim encouraged members to visit the fuel economy website at www.fueleconomy.gov. The website features a fuel economy guide, hybrid vehicles and fuel cells information, and mpg ratings. Four new B20 pumps opened up in the Circleville area. Honda is offering a $1,200 incentive for the purchase of a Hybrid Accord until Dec 5, 2005.

II. Website Redesign Update:
“ About Us,” “Events,” “Meetings,” and “Stakeholders” sections have been submitted to graphic designer to be integrated into the website. The website’s new image is to be completed by the end of the year.

III. Projects:
a. Marine Diesel Collaboration
Reception to our requests to tour various port sites has been cool. Kim met with the fleeting and harbor service manager of McGinnis Towing, a company that provides towing services for barges, to learn about their operation and assess potential use of biodiesel. Kim reported an opportunity to reduce emissions after observing the different levels of operation and anticipated that the process of change will take time.

b. Highland Heights
Steve Proffitt and Steve Krebs are waiting to hear from the public works director about a decision to install an above-ground tank for biodiesel fuel.

c. E85 Site
Lykins and Jim Grau Installation are waiting for approval from the EPA or fire marshall to switch the product from gasoline to ethanol. The site is located in a sensitive area, above an underground aquifer used for drinking water. Regulations may require installation of new two-wall tanks rather than using the existing one-wall tanks, which could become cost prohibitive.

d. Paul’s Bus Service
Steve Krebs followed up with the owner of a fleet of 55 charter buses who had expressed interest in using biodiesel. It was determined infeasible to wet-fill the fleet due to buses being housed at various drivers’ homes. Kim will resume letter writing efforts.

e. Skurrow’s Oil Company
Steve P. and Kim met with the owner of Skurrow’s Oil Company to discuss using biodiesel. The owner requested having a one-page fact sheet to introduce the fuel to his customers. Kim and Steve gave him contact names of users who could provide additional information.

IV. GM Chevy Drive:
Seventy-three attended the collaborative event held at the Clermont County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, November 1. Stephanie reported that even though the target audience was farmers, there were several fleet managers present representing large fleets including the State Highway Patrol and the City of Columbus. The presentations will be available for downloading on TSCFN’s website.

V. Beyond a Billion Celebration
Members viewed a news clip that was created and aired by the Ohio Network News featuring our press event on Friday, Oct. 14, at Ault Park.

VI. Biofuels Retail Development Action Plan
Kim presented the current status of TSCFN giving a brief financial report and a breakdown of the membership. She described possible plans for conducting a statewide effort for the development of biodiesel and E85 retail projects under the leadership of Clean Fuels Ohio, formerly Central Ohio Clean Fuels Coalition. Kim solicited the group members’ opinions about their desire for the direction our local organization and what our role should be in relationship to a statewide initiative. The group agreed that TSCFN should remain autonomous and approved of entering into a contractual relationship with Clean Fuels Ohio using a Memorandum of Agreement to fulfill our local obligations to the Ohio Soybean Council, Ohio Corn Growers and Ohio Air Quality Development Authority grants.

The next steering committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 20, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., at the Hamilton County Department of
Environmental Services.