81_FR_47991 81 FR 47850 - Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act-Designation of Alternative Fuel Corridors

81 FR 47850 - Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act-Designation of Alternative Fuel Corridors

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 141 (July 22, 2016)

Page Range47850-47852
FR Document2016-17132

Section 1413 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act requires the Secretary of Transportation to designate national electric vehicle (EV) charging, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling corridors. The FHWA is issuing this Federal Register Notice to invite nominations from State and local officials to assist in making such designations.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 141 (Friday, July 22, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 141 (Friday, July 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47850-47852]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17132]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[FHWA Docket No. FHWA-2016-0017]


Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act--Designation of 
Alternative Fuel Corridors

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice; solicitation of nominations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Section 1413 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation 
(FAST) Act requires the Secretary of Transportation to designate 
national electric vehicle (EV) charging, hydrogen, propane, and natural 
gas fueling corridors. The FHWA is issuing this Federal Register Notice 
to invite nominations from State and local officials to assist in 
making such designations.

DATES: Submissions must be received on or before August 22, 2016. Late 
submissions will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the docket number 
FHWA-2016-0017 by any one of the following methods:
    Fax: 1-202-493-2251;
    Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590;
    Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, West Building Ground Floor, 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; or electronically through the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
online instructions for submitting comments.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name, docket 
name and docket number for this notice (FHWA-2016-0017). The DOT posts

[[Page 47851]]

these comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov at any time or to 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20950, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Turchetta, Office of Natural 
Environment, (202) 493-0158, or via email at [email protected]. 
For legal questions, please contact Robert Black, Office of the Chief 
Counsel, (202) 366-1359, or via email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Section 1413 of the FAST Act (Section 1413), signed into law on 
December 4, 2015, requires the Secretary to designate national EV 
charging, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling corridors within 1 
year from the date of enactment (December 4, 2016). (23 U.S.C. 151). In 
accordance with 23 U.S.C. 151(a), corridor designations must identify 
near-and long-term need for, and location of, EV charging 
infrastructure, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, propane fueling 
infrastructure, and natural gas fueling infrastructure at strategic 
locations along major national highways to improve mobility of 
passenger and commercial vehicles that employ electric, hydrogen fuel 
cell, propane, and natural gas fueling technologies across the United 
States.
    The FHWA must solicit nominations for corridors from State and 
local officials and involve a range of stakeholders. (23 U.S.C. 151(b) 
and (c)). Within 5 years of establishing the corridors, and every 5 
years thereafter, DOT must update and re-designate the corridors. 
During the designation and re-designation of the corridors, the FHWA is 
to issue a report that identifies EV charging infrastructure, hydrogen 
fueling infrastructure, propane fueling infrastructure, and natural gas 
fueling infrastructure and standardization needs for electricity 
providers, industrial gas providers, natural gas providers, 
infrastructure providers, vehicle manufacturers, electricity purchases, 
and natural gas purchases. The report must also establish aspirational 
goals of achieving strategic deployment of EV charging infrastructure, 
hydrogen fueling infrastructure, propane fueling infrastructure, and 
natural gas fueling infrastructure in those corridors by the end of 
fiscal year 2020. The FHWA held two national Webinars (May 12, 2016, 
and May 16, 2016) at which stakeholders were invited to provide input 
to FHWA on the process, timeline, and specific topics related to the 
implementation of Section 1413. The presentation, transcript of chat 
pods, and Webinar recordings can be found at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/climate_change/mitigation/webinars/.

Information To Be Included in Nominations

    Any State or local agency is invited to nominate an alternative 
fuel corridor for designation. For the purposes of this solicitation, 
an eligible corridor is defined as a segment of the National Highway 
System (NHS).\1\ However, to encourage the creation of a national 
network of alternative fuel infrastructure, a corridor may also include 
feeder routes/roads that connect to that NHS segment. Both corridors 
within a single State and multistate corridors are eligible, with the 
goal of connecting communities, cities, and regions to develop a 
national network of alternative fuel facilities. A State or local 
agency interested in submitting a nomination for a corridor designation 
should develop a 20-page maximum nomination (nothing beyond the first 
20 pages will be considered, including attachments) containing the 
following elements/information:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See following FHWA Web site for definitions and descriptions 
of the NHS: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Corridor being proposed for designation (include the 
official name of the NHS segment and beginning and end points of the 
proposed corridor);
     Name of lead State or local agency originating the 
nomination;
     Name of the entity (or entities) with jurisdiction over 
the proposed corridor (i.e., State, local government, Indian tribe and/
or Federal land management agency);
     Description of corridor, including the major metropolitan 
areas and/or intermodal facilities located along the corridor, how the 
corridor contributes to the national network, and why it is being 
proposed for designation;
     Corridor use (i.e., mainly freight, mainly passenger, or 
both);
     Approximate population along proposed corridor or in 
general area/region, including median income and basic demographic 
information;
     Benefits to disadvantaged groups and/or communities, which 
may include low-income groups, persons with visible or hidden 
disabilities, elderly individuals, and minority persons and 
populations;
     Existing and projected usage of the corridor (i.e., 
vehicle miles traveled and/or freight congestion/tonnage moved);
     Goals for increasing the use of alternative fuels;
     Type of alternative fuel(s) currently used and/or 
projected to be used along the corridor;
     Estimated/projected cost of planned alternative fuel 
facilities on proposed corridor, if known;
     Type, number, and distance between existing and planned 
alternative fuel facilities by fuel type located along proposed 
corridor (e.g., for electric vehicle charging corridors or CNG 
facilities, the type and level of charging technology in use or 
planned);
     Demonstrated interest and support for alternative fuel 
facilities from stakeholders;
     Standardization needs for fuel/charging providers, 
manufacturers, and purchasers; and
     Goals for strategic deployment of refueling/recharging 
infrastructure along corridor and/or network for short-term (by the end 
of fiscal year 2020), and long-term (by the end of fiscal year 2040).

Criteria for Designating Alternative Fuel Corridors 2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Section 111 of Title 23 United States Code prohibits 
Interstate rest areas built after January 1, 1960 from offering 
commercial services such as fuel and food on the Interstate right-
of-way. In light of this provision, an alternative fuel facility can 
be located on an Interstate right-of-way, but a fee may not be 
charged for the facility.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FHWA plans to designate alternative fuel corridors based on the 
criteria outlined in this solicitation. Corridor designations will be 
selected based on the following criteria, which are listed in priority 
order and indicated by numbered and bolded headings. Sub-bullets are 
not in priority order:

1. Alternative Fuel Facilities

     Number of existing alternative fuel facilities on 
corridor;
     Number of additional planned/projected alternative fuel 
facilities on corridor;
     Distance between existing and planned/projected 
alternative fuel facilities on corridor;
     Visibility, convenience, and accessibility to the users on 
the corridor; and

[[Page 47852]]

     Explanation of successfully developing new alternative 
fuel facilities along the corridor based on past activity/success.

2. Corridor Scale/Impact

     Connections to other segments of the NHS in order to 
create/develop a national network of alternative fuel infrastructure;
     Whether the corridor connects to one or more major 
metropolitan areas and/or multiple States (multiple States that submit 
a joint application must identify a lead applicant as the primary point 
of contact); and/or
     Whether the corridor connects to one or more major 
intermodal facilities (i.e. freight, transit, etc.).

3. Emission Reductions

     Estimated reductions in greenhouse gas and/or criteria 
pollutant emissions along the corridor, or in the area, due to existing 
and projected alternative fuel facilities.

4. Development of Team and Degree of Collaboration and Support

     Degree of collaboration, and formation of partnerships, 
regarding alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure with both public 
and private sector entities, which should include:
    [ssquf] State and local officials (nomination must include support 
from the transportation agency or agencies with jurisdiction over the 
proposed corridor such as the State, local government, Indian tribe, 
and/or Federal land management agency;
    [ssquf] Other Federal agencies;
    [ssquf] Department of Energy's (DOE) Clean Cities Program, as well 
as its associated network of coalitions and stakeholders); and
    [ssquf] Representatives of energy utilities; electric, fuel cell 
electric, propane, and natural gas vehicle industries; equipment 
manufacturers; fuel suppliers; Original Equipment Manufacturers; public 
or private fleets; auto dealerships; energy marketers; utilities/energy 
companies; alternative fuel and clean air advocacy organizations; local 
and regional planning entities; freight and shipping industry; clean 
technology firms; hospitality industry; highway rest stop vendors; 
industrial gas and hydrogen manufacturers; and
     Demonstrated interest and support. For example, support 
demonstrated through past work in the area on alternative fuels, 
support from local elected officials, public support, stakeholder 
support, development of incentives, etc.
     Whether the proposed corridor is an existing electric 
vehicle charging, hydrogen fueling, propane fueling or natural gas 
corridor been designated by a State or group of States.

Optional Information and Considerations

     Consideration of Clean Cities coalition \3\ locations/
existing alternative fuel markets;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ https://cleancities.energy.gov/coalitions/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Whether the corridor or segments of the corridor are 
located in in ozone, carbon monoxide, or particulate matter 
nonattainment or maintenance areas;
     Goals for greenhouse gas and/or criteria pollutant 
emission reductions;
     Available State and/or local alternative fuel vehicle 
incentives/programs;
     Current and future demand for alternative fuel facilities 
based on current and predicted usage patterns (passenger, freight, and 
other commercial vehicles). The analysis of future demand/alternative 
fuel facilities should include description of how the corridor will be 
extended and/or how distances between stations will be shortened (i.e., 
gaps closed);
     Other alternative fuels included under the Energy Policy 
Act of 2005 but not included in Section 1413, or vehicle technologies 
such as Truck Stop Electrification used along corridor that contribute 
to greenhouse gas or criteria air pollutant emission reductions;
     Availability of alternative fuel vehicle support services 
in the vicinity/region (e.g. maintenance and repair shops, first 
responders, safety officials, towing and road-side rescue services, 
etc.);
     Potential of designation to serve as a national case to 
document lessons learned/best practices.

Support for Designated Corridors

    Although Section 1413 does not provide dedicated funding for 
designated corridors, FHWA believes the designation of such corridors 
can serve important public purposes. For instance, the United States 
has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 26-28 percent by 
2025 and 80 percent or more by 2050. The transportation sector is a 
significant source of U.S. GHG emissions, (tailpipe GHG emissions from 
transportation sources accounted for 27 percent of total U.S. GHG 
emissions), and achieving reductions in these emissions will be needed 
to support national commitments. Alternative fuel corridors with 
support for lower-emitting vehicles can assist in this effort.
    Furthermore, it is FHWA's goal and intent to create and expand a 
national network of alternative fueling and charging infrastructure 
along NHS corridors by developing a process that provides the 
opportunity for a formal corridor designation once the criteria set 
forth in the solicitation are met, and on a rolling basis, without a 
cap on the number of corridors; ensures that corridor designations are 
selected based on criteria that promote the ``build out'' of a national 
network; develops national signage and branding to help catalyze 
applicant and public interest; encourages multistate and regional 
cooperation and collaboration; and, brings together a consortium of 
stakeholders including State agencies, utilities, alternative fuel 
providers, and car manufacturers to promote and advance alternative 
fuel corridor designations in conjunction with the DOE.
    In support of this goal, the FHWA intends to develop appropriate 
signage that may be placed on designated corridors in accordance with 
the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).\4\ The FHWA 
anticipates that any such signage will distinguish between ``zero 
emission'' corridors (supported by electric vehicle charging or 
hydrogen fueling infrastructure) and ``alternative fuel'' corridors 
(supported by propane or natural gas fueling infrastructure), to make 
clear the nature of the alternative fuel supported in each corridor.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ For information on the MUTCD please see the following Web 
site: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Timeline

    The deadline for this initial solicitation is August 22, 2016. 
After this deadline, FHWA will establish a process for future 
nominations and designations on a rolling basis.

    Authority:  Section 1413 of the FAST Act (Pub. L. 114-94).

    Issued on: July 8, 2016.
Gregory G. Nadeau,
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 2016-17132 Filed 7-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-22-P



                                             47850                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 141 / Friday, July 22, 2016 / Notices

                                             applicants further state that Andy                       service. They also state that the                     Counsel, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
                                             Bardar is the shareholder, President,                    proposed transaction would not result                 Washington, DC 20590.
                                             and Chief Executive Officer of Corporate                 in an increase to fixed charges as the                  Decided: July 15, 2016.
                                             Coaches.                                                 proposed transaction by the carriers is                 By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice
                                                Corporate Coaches proposes to sell all                expected to be for cash. In addition,                 Chairman Miller, and Commissioner
                                             the assets used in its motor coach                       according to the applicants, the                      Begeman.
                                             passenger transportation business                        proposed transaction would also have
                                                                                                                                                            Tia Delano,
                                             pursuant to an Asset Purchase                            no adverse effect on qualified Corporate
                                             Agreement (APA), dated May 16, 2016.                     Coaches employees at the locations from               Clearance Clerk.
                                             According to the applicants, this                        which Corporate Coaches operates                      [FR Doc. 2016–17352 Filed 7–21–16; 8:45 am]
                                             transaction is a result of the business                  because Academy will interview and                    BILLING CODE 4915–01–P
                                             determination made by the owners of                      offer employment opportunities to those
                                             Corporate Coaches to permanently                         employees, a necessity to permit
                                             withdraw from the motor coach                            Academy to continue to operate the                    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                             transportation business and direct all of                acquired motor coach assets. Finally,
                                             its future efforts and activities to the                 the applicants state that the proposed                Federal Highway Administration
                                             company’s black car sedan and limo                       transaction is unlikely to exert any                  [FHWA Docket No. FHWA–2016–0017]
                                             services. Under the terms of the APA,                    anticompetitive impact because none of
                                             the applicants state, Franmar will                       the operable motor vehicles will be                   Fixing America’s Surface
                                             acquire the motor coach assets of                        scrapped by the seller, and no new                    Transportation Act—Designation of
                                             Corporate Coaches, and Academy will                      buses will need to be purchased by                    Alternative Fuel Corridors
                                             acquire Corporate Coaches’ motor coach                   Franmar at this time. Thus, the
                                             customer lists, charter contracts,                       applicants state that the public would                AGENCY: Federal Highway
                                             telephone numbers, Web site, charter                     not lose service because the same                     Administration (FHWA), Department of
                                             contract deposits, and related assets and                number of buses would continue to                     Transportation (DOT).
                                             intangibles.2                                            operate.                                              ACTION: Notice; solicitation of
                                                Under 49 U.S.C. 14303(b), the Board                      On the basis of the application, the               nominations.
                                             must approve and authorize a                             Board finds that the proposed
                                             transaction that it finds consistent with                acquisition is consistent with the public             SUMMARY:    Section 1413 of the Fixing
                                             the public interest, taking into                         interest and should be tentatively                    America’s Surface Transportation
                                             consideration at least: (1) The effect of                approved and authorized. If any                       (FAST) Act requires the Secretary of
                                             the proposed transaction on the                          opposing comments are timely filed,                   Transportation to designate national
                                             adequacy of transportation to the public;                these findings will be deemed vacated,                electric vehicle (EV) charging, hydrogen,
                                             (2) the total fixed charges that result;                 and, unless a final decision can be made              propane, and natural gas fueling
                                             and (3) the interest of affected carrier                 on the record as developed, a                         corridors. The FHWA is issuing this
                                             employees. Academy has submitted                         procedural schedule will be adopted to                Federal Register Notice to invite
                                             information required by 49 CFR 1182.2,                   reconsider the application. See 49 CFR                nominations from State and local
                                             including information to demonstrate                     1182.6(c). If no opposing comments are                officials to assist in making such
                                             that the proposed transaction is                         filed by the expiration of the comment                designations.
                                             consistent with the public interest                      period, this notice will take effect                  DATES:  Submissions must be received on
                                             under 49 U.S.C. 14303(b) and a                           automatically and will be the final                   or before August 22, 2016. Late
                                             statement that Academy and its motor                     Board action.                                         submissions will be considered to the
                                             carrier affiliated companies exceeded $2                    Board decisions and notices are                    extent practicable.
                                             million in gross operating revenues for                  available on our Web site at
                                                                                                                                                            ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
                                             the preceding 12-month period. See 49                    WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.
                                                                                                         This action is categorically excluded              identified by the docket number
                                             U.S.C. 14303(g).3                                                                                              FHWA–2016–0017 by any one of the
                                                Academy and Corporate Coaches                         from environmental review under 49
                                                                                                      CFR 1105.6(c).                                        following methods:
                                             assert that this acquisition is in the                                                                           Fax: 1–202–493–2251;
                                                                                                         It is ordered:
                                             public interest because the transaction                     1. The proposed transaction is                       Mail: U.S. Department of
                                             will not have a materially detrimental                   approved and authorized, subject to the               Transportation, Docket Operations,
                                             impact on the adequacy of                                filing of opposing comments.                          M–30, West Building Ground Floor,
                                             transportation services available to the                    2. If opposing comments are timely                 Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
                                             public. The applicants also assert that                  filed, the findings made in this notice               Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590;
                                             the transaction would promote more                       will be deemed as having been vacated.                  Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of
                                             efficiencies and greater economic use of                    3. This notice will be effective                   Transportation, Docket Operations,
                                             existing transportation capital resources,               September 7, 2016, unless opposing                    West Building Ground Floor, Room
                                             and offer the general public continued                   comments are filed by September 6,                    W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
                                             service options to the customers of                      2016.                                                 Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
                                             Corporate Coaches in need of such                           4. A copy of this notice will be served            and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
                                                                                                      on: (1) The U.S. Department of                        except Federal holidays; or
                                               2 The applicants also state that ABC Bus Inc.
                                                                                                      Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier                 electronically through the Federal
                                             (ABC), a non-carrier motor coach dealer, shall
ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                             purchase the remaining motor coaches owned by            Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey                eRulemaking Portal: http://
                                             Corporate Coaches that are not purchased by              Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590; (2)                 www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
                                             Franmar. The applicants state that ABC is                the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust             instructions for submitting comments.
                                             unaffiliated with the Academy Trust or the Tedesco       Division, 10th Street & Pennsylvania                    Instructions: All submissions must
                                             Trust.
                                               3 Applicants with gross operating revenues             Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20530;                     include the agency name, docket name
                                             exceeding $2 million are required to meet the            and (3) the U.S. Department of                        and docket number for this notice
                                             requirements of 49 CFR 1182.                             Transportation, Office of the General                 (FHWA–2016–0017). The DOT posts


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014   15:19 Jul 21, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00105   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\22JYN1.SGM   22JYN1


                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 141 / Friday, July 22, 2016 / Notices                                                     47851

                                             these comments, without edit, including                  and natural gas purchases. The report                 region, including median income and
                                             any personal information the                             must also establish aspirational goals of             basic demographic information;
                                             commenter provides, to                                   achieving strategic deployment of EV                     • Benefits to disadvantaged groups
                                             www.regulations.gov, as described in                     charging infrastructure, hydrogen                     and/or communities, which may
                                             the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–                   fueling infrastructure, propane fueling               include low-income groups, persons
                                             14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at                       infrastructure, and natural gas fueling               with visible or hidden disabilities,
                                             www.dot.gov/privacy.                                     infrastructure in those corridors by the              elderly individuals, and minority
                                               Docket: For access to the docket to                    end of fiscal year 2020. The FHWA held                persons and populations;
                                             read background documents or                             two national Webinars (May 12, 2016,                     • Existing and projected usage of the
                                             comments received, go to http://                         and May 16, 2016) at which                            corridor (i.e., vehicle miles traveled
                                             www.regulations.gov at any time or to                    stakeholders were invited to provide                  and/or freight congestion/tonnage
                                             U.S. Department of Transportation,                       input to FHWA on the process, timeline,               moved);
                                             Docket Operations, M–30, West                            and specific topics related to the                       • Goals for increasing the use of
                                             Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,                     implementation of Section 1413. The                   alternative fuels;
                                             1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,                              presentation, transcript of chat pods,                   • Type of alternative fuel(s) currently
                                             Washington, DC 20950, between 9 a.m.                     and Webinar recordings can be found at:               used and/or projected to be used along
                                             and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,                       http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/                  the corridor;
                                                                                                      climate_change/mitigation/webinars/.                     • Estimated/projected cost of planned
                                             except Federal holidays.
                                                                                                                                                            alternative fuel facilities on proposed
                                             FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                         Information To Be Included in                         corridor, if known;
                                             Diane Turchetta, Office of Natural                       Nominations                                              • Type, number, and distance
                                             Environment, (202) 493–0158, or via                                                                            between existing and planned
                                                                                                         Any State or local agency is invited to
                                             email at diane.turchetta@dot.gov. For                    nominate an alternative fuel corridor for             alternative fuel facilities by fuel type
                                             legal questions, please contact Robert                   designation. For the purposes of this                 located along proposed corridor (e.g., for
                                             Black, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202)                solicitation, an eligible corridor is                 electric vehicle charging corridors or
                                             366–1359, or via email at robert.black@                  defined as a segment of the National                  CNG facilities, the type and level of
                                             dot.gov.                                                 Highway System (NHS).1 However, to                    charging technology in use or planned);
                                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                               encourage the creation of a national                     • Demonstrated interest and support
                                                                                                      network of alternative fuel                           for alternative fuel facilities from
                                             Background                                                                                                     stakeholders;
                                                                                                      infrastructure, a corridor may also
                                                Section 1413 of the FAST Act                          include feeder routes/roads that connect                 • Standardization needs for fuel/
                                             (Section 1413), signed into law on                       to that NHS segment. Both corridors                   charging providers, manufacturers, and
                                             December 4, 2015, requires the                           within a single State and multistate                  purchasers; and
                                             Secretary to designate national EV                       corridors are eligible, with the goal of                 • Goals for strategic deployment of
                                             charging, hydrogen, propane, and                         connecting communities, cities, and                   refueling/recharging infrastructure along
                                             natural gas fueling corridors within 1                   regions to develop a national network of              corridor and/or network for short-term
                                             year from the date of enactment                          alternative fuel facilities. A State or               (by the end of fiscal year 2020), and
                                             (December 4, 2016). (23 U.S.C. 151). In                  local agency interested in submitting a               long-term (by the end of fiscal year
                                             accordance with 23 U.S.C. 151(a),                        nomination for a corridor designation                 2040).
                                             corridor designations must identify                      should develop a 20-page maximum                      Criteria for Designating Alternative
                                             near-and long-term need for, and                         nomination (nothing beyond the first 20               Fuel Corridors 2
                                             location of, EV charging infrastructure,                 pages will be considered, including
                                             hydrogen fueling infrastructure,                                                                                  The FHWA plans to designate
                                                                                                      attachments) containing the following
                                             propane fueling infrastructure, and                                                                            alternative fuel corridors based on the
                                                                                                      elements/information:
                                             natural gas fueling infrastructure at                       • Corridor being proposed for                      criteria outlined in this solicitation.
                                             strategic locations along major national                 designation (include the official name of             Corridor designations will be selected
                                             highways to improve mobility of                          the NHS segment and beginning and                     based on the following criteria, which
                                             passenger and commercial vehicles that                   end points of the proposed corridor);                 are listed in priority order and indicated
                                             employ electric, hydrogen fuel cell,                        • Name of lead State or local agency               by numbered and bolded headings. Sub-
                                             propane, and natural gas fueling                         originating the nomination;                           bullets are not in priority order:
                                             technologies across the United States.                      • Name of the entity (or entities) with            1. Alternative Fuel Facilities
                                                The FHWA must solicit nominations                     jurisdiction over the proposed corridor
                                                                                                      (i.e., State, local government, Indian                   • Number of existing alternative fuel
                                             for corridors from State and local
                                                                                                      tribe and/or Federal land management                  facilities on corridor;
                                             officials and involve a range of                                                                                  • Number of additional planned/
                                             stakeholders. (23 U.S.C. 151(b) and (c)).                agency);
                                                                                                         • Description of corridor, including               projected alternative fuel facilities on
                                             Within 5 years of establishing the                                                                             corridor;
                                             corridors, and every 5 years thereafter,                 the major metropolitan areas and/or
                                                                                                                                                               • Distance between existing and
                                             DOT must update and re-designate the                     intermodal facilities located along the
                                                                                                                                                            planned/projected alternative fuel
                                             corridors. During the designation and                    corridor, how the corridor contributes to
                                                                                                                                                            facilities on corridor;
                                             re-designation of the corridors, the                     the national network, and why it is                      • Visibility, convenience, and
                                             FHWA is to issue a report that identifies                being proposed for designation;                       accessibility to the users on the corridor;
                                             EV charging infrastructure, hydrogen                        • Corridor use (i.e., mainly freight,
                                                                                                                                                            and
                                                                                                      mainly passenger, or both);
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                                             fueling infrastructure, propane fueling
                                             infrastructure, and natural gas fueling                     • Approximate population along                       2 Section 111 of Title 23 United States Code

                                             infrastructure and standardization needs                 proposed corridor or in general area/                 prohibits Interstate rest areas built after January 1,
                                             for electricity providers, industrial gas                                                                      1960 from offering commercial services such as fuel
                                                                                                        1 See following FHWA Web site for definitions       and food on the Interstate right-of-way. In light of
                                             providers, natural gas providers,                        and descriptions of the NHS: http://                  this provision, an alternative fuel facility can be
                                             infrastructure providers, vehicle                        www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_           located on an Interstate right-of-way, but a fee may
                                             manufacturers, electricity purchases,                    system/.                                              not be charged for the facility.



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                                             47852                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 141 / Friday, July 22, 2016 / Notices

                                               • Explanation of successfully                            • Whether the proposed corridor is an                     Furthermore, it is FHWA’s goal and
                                             developing new alternative fuel                          existing electric vehicle charging,                      intent to create and expand a national
                                             facilities along the corridor based on                   hydrogen fueling, propane fueling or                     network of alternative fueling and
                                             past activity/success.                                   natural gas corridor been designated by                  charging infrastructure along NHS
                                                                                                      a State or group of States.                              corridors by developing a process that
                                             2. Corridor Scale/Impact
                                                                                                      Optional Information and                                 provides the opportunity for a formal
                                                • Connections to other segments of                                                                             corridor designation once the criteria set
                                             the NHS in order to create/develop a                     Considerations
                                                                                                                                                               forth in the solicitation are met, and on
                                             national network of alternative fuel                        • Consideration of Clean Cities
                                                                                                                                                               a rolling basis, without a cap on the
                                             infrastructure;                                          coalition 3 locations/existing alternative
                                                • Whether the corridor connects to                                                                             number of corridors; ensures that
                                                                                                      fuel markets;
                                             one or more major metropolitan areas                        • Whether the corridor or segments of                 corridor designations are selected based
                                             and/or multiple States (multiple States                  the corridor are located in in ozone,                    on criteria that promote the ‘‘build out’’
                                             that submit a joint application must                     carbon monoxide, or particulate matter                   of a national network; develops national
                                             identify a lead applicant as the primary                 nonattainment or maintenance areas;                      signage and branding to help catalyze
                                             point of contact); and/or                                   • Goals for greenhouse gas and/or                     applicant and public interest;
                                                • Whether the corridor connects to                    criteria pollutant emission reductions;                  encourages multistate and regional
                                             one or more major intermodal facilities                     • Available State and/or local                        cooperation and collaboration; and,
                                             (i.e. freight, transit, etc.).                           alternative fuel vehicle incentives/                     brings together a consortium of
                                                                                                      programs;                                                stakeholders including State agencies,
                                             3. Emission Reductions                                      • Current and future demand for                       utilities, alternative fuel providers, and
                                                • Estimated reductions in greenhouse                  alternative fuel facilities based on                     car manufacturers to promote and
                                             gas and/or criteria pollutant emissions                  current and predicted usage patterns                     advance alternative fuel corridor
                                             along the corridor, or in the area, due to               (passenger, freight, and other                           designations in conjunction with the
                                             existing and projected alternative fuel                  commercial vehicles). The analysis of                    DOE.
                                             facilities.                                              future demand/alternative fuel facilities
                                                                                                      should include description of how the                       In support of this goal, the FHWA
                                             4. Development of Team and Degree of                                                                              intends to develop appropriate signage
                                                                                                      corridor will be extended and/or how
                                             Collaboration and Support                                                                                         that may be placed on designated
                                                                                                      distances between stations will be
                                                • Degree of collaboration, and                        shortened (i.e., gaps closed);                           corridors in accordance with the
                                             formation of partnerships, regarding                        • Other alternative fuels included                    Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
                                             alternative fuel vehicles and                            under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 but                  Devices (MUTCD).4 The FHWA
                                             infrastructure with both public and                      not included in Section 1413, or vehicle                 anticipates that any such signage will
                                             private sector entities, which should                    technologies such as Truck Stop                          distinguish between ‘‘zero emission’’
                                             include:                                                 Electrification used along corridor that                 corridors (supported by electric vehicle
                                                D State and local officials (nomination               contribute to greenhouse gas or criteria                 charging or hydrogen fueling
                                             must include support from the                            air pollutant emission reductions;                       infrastructure) and ‘‘alternative fuel’’
                                             transportation agency or agencies with                      • Availability of alternative fuel                    corridors (supported by propane or
                                             jurisdiction over the proposed corridor                  vehicle support services in the vicinity/                natural gas fueling infrastructure), to
                                             such as the State, local government,                     region (e.g. maintenance and repair                      make clear the nature of the alternative
                                             Indian tribe, and/or Federal land                        shops, first responders, safety officials,               fuel supported in each corridor.
                                             management agency;                                       towing and road-side rescue services,
                                                D Other Federal agencies;                             etc.);                                                   Timeline
                                                D Department of Energy’s (DOE) Clean                     • Potential of designation to serve as
                                             Cities Program, as well as its associated                a national case to document lessons                        The deadline for this initial
                                             network of coalitions and stakeholders);                 learned/best practices.                                  solicitation is August 22, 2016. After
                                             and                                                                                                               this deadline, FHWA will establish a
                                                D Representatives of energy utilities;                Support for Designated Corridors                         process for future nominations and
                                             electric, fuel cell electric, propane, and                  Although Section 1413 does not                        designations on a rolling basis.
                                             natural gas vehicle industries;                          provide dedicated funding for                              Authority: Section 1413 of the FAST Act
                                             equipment manufacturers; fuel                            designated corridors, FHWA believes                      (Pub. L. 114–94).
                                             suppliers; Original Equipment                            the designation of such corridors can
                                             Manufacturers; public or private fleets;                 serve important public purposes. For                       Issued on: July 8, 2016.
                                             auto dealerships; energy marketers;                      instance, the United States has pledged                  Gregory G. Nadeau,
                                             utilities/energy companies; alternative                  to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)                           Administrator, Federal Highway
                                             fuel and clean air advocacy                              emissions 26–28 percent by 2025 and 80                   Administration.
                                             organizations; local and regional                        percent or more by 2050. The                             [FR Doc. 2016–17132 Filed 7–21–16; 8:45 am]
                                             planning entities; freight and shipping                  transportation sector is a significant                   BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
                                             industry; clean technology firms;                        source of U.S. GHG emissions, (tailpipe
                                             hospitality industry; highway rest stop                  GHG emissions from transportation
                                             vendors; industrial gas and hydrogen                     sources accounted for 27 percent of total
                                             manufacturers; and                                       U.S. GHG emissions), and achieving
                                                • Demonstrated interest and support.
ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                      reductions in these emissions will be
                                             For example, support demonstrated                        needed to support national
                                             through past work in the area on                         commitments. Alternative fuel corridors
                                             alternative fuels, support from local                    with support for lower-emitting vehicles
                                             elected officials, public support,                       can assist in this effort.
                                             stakeholder support, development of                                                                                 4 For information on the MUTCD please see the

                                             incentives, etc.                                              3 https://cleancities.energy.gov/coalitions/.       following Web site: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.



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Document Created: 2016-07-22 02:38:17
Document Modified: 2016-07-22 02:38:17
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice; solicitation of nominations.
DatesSubmissions must be received on or before August 22, 2016. Late submissions will be considered to the extent practicable.
ContactDiane Turchetta, Office of Natural Environment, (202) 493-0158, or via email at [email protected] For legal questions, please contact Robert Black, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-1359, or via email at [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 47850 

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