Alternative Fuel & Electric Vehicle Fleet to Offset 875,927 Gallons of Oil Annually-

Clean Fuels Ohio has announced that it has now obtained funds from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to begin its work with the Ohio Advanced Transportation Partnership (OATP) in implementing over $29 million in alternative fuel vehicle and infrastructure developments. The DOE approved 11 million in American Recovery Act funds to the company through its Clean Cities Program back in August 2009; with the financial aid to have provoked an added $18 million from OATP associate contributions which will support the deployment of 280 compressed natural gas (CNG), propane, and electric vehicles, as well as 15 refueling stations. Sam Spofforth, Executive Director of Clean Fuels Ohio, states, “This will be the largest single investment in advanced transportation energy infrastructure and vehicle technology in our state’s history. It will help develop markets for a range of cleaner transportation technologies that will help Ohio’s economy, clean our air, and help break our addiction to foreign oil… These projects are also about cost and efficiency. There is a solid business case for the use of these vehicles. Utilizing clean fuels and alternative vehicles will save money and help the environment at the same time.” Deployment of this 280 vehicle fleet will offset an average of 875,927 gallons of petroleum fuel annually, the DOE affirms; with the majority anticipated to operate for a minimum of ten years. “This investment will allow us to transition our fleet of parking shuttles at Port Columbus to a more efficient and clean operation using propane. We are providing a more sustainable choice for our customers – a win for us, for them, and for the environment,” said Paul Kennedy of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority.