Green Patrol Aims to Reduce Idling at Schools
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Alamo Area Council of Governments
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From the mouths of children comes the clean air message in San Antonio. A creative new program crafted by the Alamo Area Clean Cities (AACC) coalition gives kids a chance to make a difference by joining the Green Patrol and encouraging their parents to reduce idling near schools. "Idling is big here because so many parents wait in their air-conditioned cars," says Andrew Hudgins, former AACC coordinator. "Getting them to consider the effects of their actions and changing habits was a big project." The coalition approached one area elementary school with a proposal addressed to both school officials and the parent-teacher organization. "We provided a letter to be sent home from the principal, as well as a fact sheet about the dangers of unnecessary idling on children's health," Hudgins says. Along with the letter was a pledge card for parents to sign agreeing to reduce idling on school property. Parents who sign and return the pledge card receive a small "Clean Air Driver" magnet for their car. Students on the safety patrol and student council made signs in both English and Spanish to remind drivers of their pledge. The emphasis on children's health paid off. "Parents have been very supportive. Many now park their vehicles and come to greet their children at the door," Hudgins says. "Their actions, along with the district-wide transportation policy forbidding idling of school buses, will go a long way to protecting their children's health and safety." The success of the campaign is infectious and has already spread to two more elementary schools and one middle school in the area.
Propane Road Show Visits Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina
| |  A road show attendee steps inside a propane-powered Blue Bird bus.
PSCFC |
Propane took center stage this spring at three successful road show events hosted by several Clean Cities coalitions. In March, the road show attracted attention in Frederick and Annapolis, Maryland, as well as in Poquoson and Fairfax, Virginia. With the help of Maryland and Virginia Clean Cities, fuel and vehicle suppliers demonstrated the benefits of propane. Blue Bird offered a ride-and-drive opportunity in a liquid propane injection (LPI) model school bus and Roush Performance gave visitors a spin in a LPI Ford F-150 pickup. "Putting people into the driver's seat is an effective way to demonstrate the ease of drivability and performance of propane vehicles," says Hampton Roads Clean Cities Coordinator Chelsea Jenkins. In early April, the Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition (PSCFC) attracted 150 guests at its fifth anniversary celebration in conjunction with the Propane Road Show at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia. Seven propane vehicles, including a Blue Bird school bus, two light-duty trucks, a police cruiser, two mowers, and a heavy-duty truck were on display and available to test drive. PSCFC partnered with the Propane Education and Research Council and the South Carolina Propane Gas Association to coordinate the event. "The goal was to expose our public and private fleets to the benefits of using propane as a transportation fuel," says PSCFC Coordinator Erika H. Myers. "The fact that we attracted 150 attendees indicates that there is real interest in our region for exploring propane opportunities."
Greater Lansing Area Clean Cities Hosts Green Fleet Workshops
Thanks to the Greater Lansing Area Clean Cities (GLACC) coalition, fleet managers had the opportunity to learn about alternative fuels and vehicles at a series of workshops this spring. GLACC hosted three of its four planned Green Fleet Workshops in February, March, April, and June. The workshops allowed Michigan-based public and private fleet managers to connect with equipment providers and gather information about funding opportunities, as well as learn from the experiences of others who have incorporated clean transportation into their fleets. The February workshop featured Dave Hoover, director of outbound logistics for Meijer, Inc., who shared his grocery company's strategy for significantly reducing fleet engine-idling time and fuel consumption through an electronic tracking system. Also, representatives from Eaton Corp., Nick Hofstra and Matt Sturdy, presented the cutting-edge research in electric-hybrid technology for specialized medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The May workshop focused on propane options for fleets and included an exhibition of a Dixie Chopper propane mower. "The use of propane as an alternative fuel has promise," says Vince Reynolds, an attendee at the May workshop. "I do see areas where propane-powered vehicles may be viable, particularly as delivery vehicles in the medium-duty truck segment used in relatively confined spaces." The June workshop will cover aftermarket options to reduce fuel use and emissions.
CabAire Breaks Ground for Truck Stop Electrification Project in North Carolina
Patience finally paid off for the Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition (CFCC) in Charlotte, North Carolina. On Feb. 18, after five years of development, CCFC and its technology partner CabAire broke ground on the metro area's first truck stop electrification (TSE) site. CabAire anticipates completing the project in the fall of 2009. CabAire plans to install the 50-space TSE facility at the Derrick Travel Center at Exit 71 on Interstate 85 in Salisbury, North Carolina. The travel center will host 25 modular towers, each able to serve two trucks, saving valuable space. Heating and air conditioning, electricity, cable, and Internet are easily accessible for an hourly fee at each tower. Sensor equipment on the towers detects whether a parked truck's engine is off or is idling. According to Al Sharp, executive director of the Centralina Council of Governments, the area has struggled to meet federal air quality standards. "Being in a nonattainment area for ozone and not meeting other air quality standards, could have a significant effect on our region in terms of economic development and eligibility for federal highway transportation funds. This truck stop electrification project is just one piece of the puzzle that we hope will improve the air quality in our county and the entire region."
Tucson's Sustainability and Energy Exp09 Attracts 3,000 Attendees
| |  More than 3,000 visitors enjoyed Tucson's Sustainability and Energy Exp09.
Pima Association of Governments |
More than 90 exhibitors and 3,000 attendees participated in the Sustainability and Energy Exp09: Building a Better Community, held March 6-7 in Tucson, Arizona. The event, organized by Tucson Clean Cities and Pima Association of Governments, helped build community awareness of alternative fuels and vehicles and showcased solar-powered products and partnerships in the Tucson area. The event hosted a "film festival," showing more than 10 films related to sustainability, including Chris Paine's film, "Who Killed the Electric Car?" Paine, one of the keynote speakers, also spoke about the promise of new electric vehicles. Fellow keynote speaker Richard Kolodzeij, president of NGVAmerica, talked about the progress being made toward putting natural gas vehicles on the road. Expo exhibits included 20 AFVs and information on solar panels, rainwater harvesting equipment, green buildings, and residential solar.
Antelope Valley Brings Green Vehicles to Charity Event
It's a win-win situation. Local children's charities in Southern California are raking in much needed funds, while guests view and learn about the benefits of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). Once again, as part of an annual fundraiser, the Antelope Valley Clean Cities (AVCC) coalition will join a local Honda dealership for this year's children's charity event June 13-14. AVCC first joined the Palmetto, California, dealership's efforts in 2007 with an Alternative Fuel Vehicle Cruise-In, which attracted a dozen AFVs. By 2008, nearly 60 vehicles joined the event and the coalition added a two-day Alternative Fuels and Vehicles Expo--filling a 15,000 sq. ft. building and attracting nearly 2,000 people. "Joining with the existing event allowed AVCC to leverage the promotional opportunities and draw a larger crowd than we might have with a stand-alone event," says AVCC Coordinator Curtis Martin. "In 2009, we will promote wind and solar power, as well as green vehicles. It's great for green energy and great for the children's charities." Vendors pay $500 for space and all the money raised goes to a children's charities fund. Last year the event brought in more than $336,000, and organizers hope to increase that amount in 2009.
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