Nine Southeast Fleets Go Green with Propane Autogas as Part of Regional Initiative

HARRISONBURG, Va. – November 7, 2011 – This week, Virginia Clean Cities announced an additional nine fleets and more than 160 vehicles are joining the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program for vehicle conversions to propane autogas and the installation of on-site fueling stations. By converting vehicles to run on American-made autogas, these fleets are contributing to American energy security and are helping to increase the number of clean-tech jobs in the region.

Fleet recipients include Airport Shuttle of Baton Rouge, La.; Virginia Premier Health of Richmond, Va.; the City of Sandy Springs, Ga.; Community Counseling of Miss.; Buncombe County, N.C.; the City of Carrollton Police Department in Georgia; Pearl River County, Miss.; Lee County, Ala.; and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in Jefferson, Ga. Several fleets already have autogas fueling stations, while four organizations will receive a new station under the Program.

“We're excited to extend the final round of Program funding to help these fleets shift to an environmentally friendly, affordable fuel like propane autogas,” says Peter Denbigh, a coordinator at Virginia Clean Cities, which administers the Program. “As the latest vehicle conversions get underway, we’ll be educating the local communities about the benefits of this domestic fuel. Clean and cost-effective for fleets, propane autogas supports the VCC and Program missions of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on imported oil.”

With the new fleet additions and the final allocation of project funding, the Program will convert nearly 1,200 vehicles from gasoline to propane autogas. Using autogas can lower organizations’ fuel and maintenance costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance U.S. energy security.

The Program is supported by funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program, and is administered by the Virginia of Mines, Minerals and Energy and Virginia Clean Cities at James Madison University. The total Program award was $8.6 million, and with partner contributions at more than 50 percent, the total project funding is more than $19 million.

Autogas is the most widely used alternative fuel in the world, and 90 percent of the U.S. autogas supply is made in America. Propane autogas costs an average of $1-per-gallon less than gasoline, and vehicle conversions and fueling infrastructure are cost-effective for fleets.

The Program utilizes the PRINS VSI propane autogas bi-fuel conversion system and certified technicians to perform installations. Fueling infrastructure and conversion equipment is provided by Alliance AutoGas, with co-founding partner Blossman Gas supplying fleets with propane autogas fuel.

About The Program

The Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program is comprised of public and private partnerships throughout 10 states in the Southeast U.S. and Washington, DC. Over its four-year span, the Program will put nearly 1,200 clean autogas vehicles on the road and implement more than 30 autogas fueling stations. 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 VCC at James Madison University. To learn more, visit www.usepropaneautogas.com or email info@usepropaneautogas.com.