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PA Governor Rendell Launches Alternative-Fuel Pilot Program for State Vehicle Fleet

Posted on: Tuesday, 23 August 2005, 15:00 CDT

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today launched a pilot project to explore the use of alternative-fuel vehicles among the state fleet. Alternative-fuel vehicles help to reduce air pollution and lessen the state's dependence on increasingly expensive foreign oil.

"While rising energy costs are affecting all Pennsylvanians, the commonwealth is looking at ways to conserve energy and reduce its costs," Governor Rendell said. "We have to be responsible and accountable stewards of taxpayer resources. We cannot leave the issue just to the federal government. Like Pennsylvania, each state has to do its part to encourage alternate energy development and to help the U.S. reduce its dependence on foreign oil.

"Conservation is the most effective measure to counter rising energy costs," Governor Rendell added. "Embracing alternative-fuel and hybrid vehicles that are more efficient can make Pennsylvania a market leader for a whole new generation of environmentally friendly vehicles that help to clean the air and save money at a time when fuel costs continue to rise and remain high."

General Services Secretary James P. Creedon and Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty, along with state Rep. Daylin Leach of Montgomery County, unveiled the pilot program during an alternative-fuel vehicle display at the Capitol.

"As Pennsylvania continues to feel the pressure of rising gasoline prices, it becomes even more important for us to look at the use of alternative-fuel vehicles," Creedon said. "This pilot program is a good first step that will allow us to evaluate issues such as the total cost of ownership, efficiency of operation and environmental benefit before we invest or commit full-scale to this new technology."

Creedon noted that as fuel costs rise, the operational savings become more and more significant for the commonwealth. Details of the pilot program are as follows:

-- Add 30 hybrid vehicles to the state fleet by 2006. -- Increase purchase amount to 50 vehicles for the 2008 model year, as long as the total cost of ownership does not exceed the average total cost of ownership of the rest of the conventional DGS fleet. -- Further increase the state's purchase amount to 75 vehicles by the 2010 model year, as long as the total cost of ownership does not exceed the average total cost of ownership of the rest of the DGS fleet. -- By the 2011 model year, at least 25 percent of all new passenger vehicles purchased for the Commonwealth fleet will be hybrid vehicles as long as the total cost of ownership does not exceed the average total cost of ownership of the rest of the fleet.

DGS will prepare annual reports analyzing its fleet options, total cost of ownership and, in conjunction with DEP, environmental benefits of the program.

"Alternative fuels are cleaner than conventional fuels, emitting little or no particulate matter, less carbon monoxide and fewer pollutants that contribute to ground-level ozone, or smog," McGinty said. "The Governor's leadership on energy issues is focusing attention where it's needed: decreasing our already dangerous dependence on foreign oil, ramping up efforts to build a diversified energy base, encouraging conservation, and building and deploying clean energy technologies. The benefits are a healthier environment, enhanced homeland security and greater financial savings."

Alternative fuels include compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquid propane gas, ethanol, methanol, hydrogen, coal-derived liquid fuels and fuels derived from biological materials. The use of these fuels offers an alternative to conventional transportation fuels that come primarily from petroleum imported from foreign countries.

The alternative fuel pilot project is among the many initiatives Governor Rendell has put in place to ensure the policies and financial tools are available to promote advanced energy and make it a cornerstone of the state's economy. Rendell has also been working aggressively to enhance programs that assist motorists who face higher gas prices.

Governor Rendell recently signed into law an expansion of the state's Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program (AFIG). AFIG helps residents purchase alternative-fuel vehicles and finances related fuel projects to create new markets that can have measurable impacts on pollution reduction, environmental protection and economic growth.

The new law, sponsored by state Sen. Tommy Tomlinson of Bucks County, invests in building and enhancing the infrastructure necessary to expand the state's capacity to produce alternative fuels. And, for the first time, DEP is offering incentives to stimulate the use of biofuels such as biodiesel. School districts, transit authorities, local government agencies and nonprofit organizations are eligible for grants to buy down the added cost to use these fuels.

Since its inception in 1992, DEP has awarded nearly $25 million in AFIG funds for 961 projects in more than 50 counties.

For more information on AFIG grants, visit DEP's Web site at http://www.dep.state.pa.us/, Keyword "Alternative Fuels."

CONTACT: Kate Philips 717-783-1116 Frank Kane, DGS (717) 787-3197 Ana Gomez, DEP (717) 787-1323

Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

CONTACT: Kate Philips, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor,+1-717-783-1116, Frank Kane, DGS, +1-717-787-3197, or Ana Gomez, DEP,+1-717-787-1323

Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/http://www.dep.state.pa.us/

Source: PRNewswire

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