CHESAPEAKE, Va., Oct. 18, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Virginia fleet operators and alternative fuel experts gathered in Chesapeake today for Hampton Roads Clean Energy Day Odyssey, which featured the Virginia Propane Autogas Roadshow. Hosted by Virginia Clean Cities, the roadshow showcased autogas-powered fleet vehicles in the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program as well as presentations from Alliance AutoGas, ROUSH CleanTech, the Propane Education and Research Council and VCC.
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell recently began transitioning the state's vehicle fleet to alternative fuels, including natural gas and propane autogas. Autogas fleets currently save around $1.50-per-gallon on fuel compared to gasoline, and autogas is a cleaner-burning fuel.
"The state of Virginia made a smart choice to switch many fleet vehicles to natural gas and propane autogas," said Alleyn Harned, executive director of Virginia Clean Cities, which administers the state alternative fuel coalition and the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program. "Autogas is the most widely used alternative fuel in the world for a reason: it's clean and cost-effective. With the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program, we're hosting autogas roadshows and helping fleets from Maryland to Louisiana get up and running on this affordable, American-made fuel."
The Hampton Roads Clean Energy Day Odyssey was one of many National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey celebrations across the country, coordinated by members of the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium, Clean Cities Coalitions and others who believe in promoting clean transportation. Virginia Clean Cities hosted both the Hampton Roads event and the Harrisonburg Clean Energy Day Odyssey.
"Odyssey Day is an excellent opportunity to spread the word about propane autogas," said Michael Taylor, director of autogas business development for the Propane Education & Research Council. "More than 17 million vehicles worldwide already run on propane autogas. And with 98 percent of the U.S. autogas supply made in North America, it's time more U.S. fleets were benefitting from this cost-effective clean fuel."
McDonnell signed agreements with both Clean Energy, to run state fleets on CNG, and with Alliance AutoGas extended partners—including Blossman Gas, Phillips Energy, ROUSH CleanTech and CleanFUEL USA—to run state fleet vehicles on propane autogas. Alliance AutoGas provides autogas fuel supply, fueling infrastructure and vehicle conversion equipment for Program fleets, which have eliminated nearly 2,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and displaced more than 1 million gallons of gasoline to date.
About The Program
The Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program is comprised of public and private partnerships throughout 10 states in the Southeast U.S., Denver and Pittsburgh. Over its four-year span, the Program will put more than 1,200 clean autogas vehicles on the road and implement more than 30 autogas fueling stations (funded by the program and partner Alliance AutoGas). Supported by funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities Program, it is managed and administered by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and Virginia Clean Cities at James Madison University. To learn more, visit www.usepropaneautogas.com or email info@usepropaneautogas.com.
This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com
http://www.cisionwire.com/virginia-clean-cities---southeast-propane-autogas-development-program/r/virginia-propane-autogas-roadshow-at-hampton-roads-odyssey-day-showcases-alt-fuel-that-will-power-st,c9321094
The following files are available for download:
| wkr0006.pdf | Virginia Propane Autogas Roadshow |