Friday, July 24, 2015
Virginia Clean Cities is commending Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe for increasing access to funds to help accelerate the conversion of public-sector fleets to alternative fuel vehicles in areas with some of the highest air quality issues in the state. At its June meeting, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approved expanding access to the Virginia Alternative Fuel Vehicles Program to local governments. The program is funded through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ) with money provided to Virginia by the federal government. CMAQ provides funds in areas of Virginia that have high levels of air pollution with the aim of improving air quality.
The program provides funding to cover the incremental costs of converting public-sector fleets to alternative energies such as propane autogas, CNG, and electricity. The incremental incentive is now available for use in Richmond, northern Virginia, Fredericksburg, and Tidewater. The increased use of alternative fuels will have the added benefit of promoting public- and private-sector investment in fueling infrastructure.
“I would like to thank the governor and the Commonwealth Transportation Board for their leadership on converting public-sector fleets to vehicles that utilize cleaner, more economical fuels,” said Alleyn Harned, executive director of Virginia Clean Cities. “The governor is making good on an important part of his Virginia Energy Plan, to accelerate the use of alternative fuel vehicles in Virginia. These vehicles use fuel that is cleaner for our air and better for our economy, while meeting local and state agency energy goals.”
State agencies and local governments may be reimbursed for incremental costs to transition to alternative fuels such as propane autogas or natural gas. Reimbursements are up to an average of $10,000 for the cost of new vehicles or reasonable aftermarket conversions. Vehicles eligible for the program must be “buy America” compliant or have a waiver from the Federal Highway Administration, and be garaged in areas of air quality nonattainment, as recognized by the federal CMAQ program. The program is administered by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy with the Virginia Department of Transportation. Annual federal funding for the program is about $1.13 million. For details, visit vacleancities.org.
The program provides funding to cover the incremental costs of converting public-sector fleets to alternative energies such as propane autogas, CNG, and electricity. The incremental incentive is now available for use in Richmond, northern Virginia, Fredericksburg, and Tidewater. The increased use of alternative fuels will have the added benefit of promoting public- and private-sector investment in fueling infrastructure.
“I would like to thank the governor and the Commonwealth Transportation Board for their leadership on converting public-sector fleets to vehicles that utilize cleaner, more economical fuels,” said Alleyn Harned, executive director of Virginia Clean Cities. “The governor is making good on an important part of his Virginia Energy Plan, to accelerate the use of alternative fuel vehicles in Virginia. These vehicles use fuel that is cleaner for our air and better for our economy, while meeting local and state agency energy goals.”
State agencies and local governments may be reimbursed for incremental costs to transition to alternative fuels such as propane autogas or natural gas. Reimbursements are up to an average of $10,000 for the cost of new vehicles or reasonable aftermarket conversions. Vehicles eligible for the program must be “buy America” compliant or have a waiver from the Federal Highway Administration, and be garaged in areas of air quality nonattainment, as recognized by the federal CMAQ program. The program is administered by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy with the Virginia Department of Transportation. Annual federal funding for the program is about $1.13 million. For details, visit vacleancities.org.
