ROUSH CleanTech Commends Michigan Senator Stabenow’s Support for Propane GAS Act of 2011

MICHIGAN (June 3, 2011) —ROUSH CleanTech commends Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) for her leadership role as original cosponsor of the Propane Green Autogas Solutions Act (“Propane GAS Act”) of 2011 (S. 1120), which was introduced last week in the United States Senate. If passed, this legislation would yield both environmental and economic benefits to Michigan residents, including more ‘green’ vehicle deployment and a surge in job creation centered on propane autogas technology.
Nearly 90 percent of ROUSH CleanTech’s supply chain is Michigan based. The company is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of businesses that are both Michigan-based or that have operations in Michigan, including Ford Motor Company, Frito-Lay, ThyssenKrupp Elevator, and Wright & Filippis, by offering the most extensive line-up of clean-burning propane autogas fleet vehicles that meet the most stringent environmental standards.
“Senator Stabenow’s support for propane autogas is not only going to help Michigan go ‘green,’ it will help Michigan residents earn ‘green’ as well,” said Joe Thompson, president of ROUSH CleanTech. “For every 100 propane autogas vehicles produced at ROUSH CleanTech, we estimate that there is one new job created directly at ROUSH or within our supply chain.”
An extension of the 2005 Energy and 2005 Highway Bills, which both helped establish significant tax incentives for propane autogas use, the Propane GAS Act details a 50-cent per gallon incentive for propane sold for use in motor vehicles, a tax credit for purchasing vehicles fueled by propane autogas, and an incentive equaling 30 percent of the cost for fueling infrastructure, not to exceed $30,000 per station. If passed, this legislation will promote the use of propane autogas in commercial fleets by extending these provisions through 2016.
“There’s an expectation growing within our nation’s largest fleets to take responsibility for your environmental impact,” said Thompson. “Fleets across the country are turning to propane autogas as the zero compromise alternative fuel solution to help them ‘green’ their portfolio while easing the burden of sky-high fuel prices. Because propane autogas burns cleaner than gasoline and diesel, fleet managers see reduced maintenance costs and longer engine lives.” National fleets like CenturyLink, SuperShuttle, Time Warner Cable, Ferrellgas, and Heritage Propane have already adopted ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas vehicles into their fleets.
Nearly 97 percent of propane autogas used in the U.S. is produced in North America. Light- and medium-duty vehicles fueled by propane autogas emit fewer greenhouse gases and smog-producing hydrocarbons than their gasoline or diesel counterparts. Therefore passage of the Propane GAS Act would be a large stride toward reducing our country’s dependence on foreign oil, and will contribute to reducing the environmental impact of our nation’s fleets.
“Michigan is the largest propane consuming state in the nation,” said Senator Stabenow, a member of the Senate Finance Committee and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “At a time when so many families are struggling with high gas prices and other economic challenges, we must do everything we can to expand alternative vehicle choices. This legislation helps promote propane vehicles as one of those options.”
Today, more than 270,000 vehicles in the United States operate on propane autogas. “We’re eager to put more propane autogas vehicles on the roads,” Thompson said. “As the national demand for propane autogas technology continues to grow, so follows the job market here in Michigan. We commend Senator Stabenow for helping make this happen through her support of the Propane GAS Act.”
About ROUSH CleanTech: Based in Michigan, ROUSH CleanTech offers dedicated liquid propane autogas fuel systems for a variety of light- and medium- duty Ford vehicles, including the F-150, F-250, F-350 pickup truck series; the F-450 and F-550 chassis cab truck series; the E-150, E-250, and E-350 van and wagon series; and the E-350 and E-450 cutaway van series. Currently offered through authorized Ford dealerships around the country, the ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas system delivers the same factory Ford performance characteristics and serviceability with a 5-year / 60,000-mile limited warranty. Customers can reduce operating costs significantly while reducing vehicle emissions. Complete details on ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas offerings can be found online at www.ROUSHcleantech.com or by calling 800-59-ROUSH.