The program will roll [image-nocss] out in two phases and focus on cities that have a presence of existing and potential Autogas fleets, Autogas fuel availability as well as available staff and resources from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). The first station will be installed in Atlanta, followed by Chicago, Houston, Denver and Sacramento. The second phase will target 14 cities (Kansas City, Los Angeles, San Antonio/Austin, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Phoenix, Seattle, Dallas, Orlando, San Diego and Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and New Orleans, making up the Louisiana IH10 corridor).
Other supporting partners include the Texas State Technical College, the Central Texas Clean Cities Coalition, Rush Truck Centers, 16 additional area Clean Cities Coalitions and the PERC. The propane network will provide retail consumers as well as municipal, state and private fleets greater access to a cost-effective and clean-burning alternative transportation fuel.
"Developing a better infrastructure for the distribution of alternative fuels is an essential part of the country's ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said U.S. Congressman John Carter (R-Texas). "CleanFUEL USA is on the frontline of providing these solutions, and I support its efforts in spearheading a national Autogas refueling network with its partners to increase the use of lower-emission transportation fuels and offset the U.S. demand for foreign oil."
Curtis Donaldson, president and CEO of CleanFUEL USA, added, "Historically, it has been a challenge for the U.S. to develop an accessible infrastructure for propane to be readily adopted by government, retail and private fleet owners. This grant is a significant turning point in our country's ability to rapidly embrace alternative fuels such as propane."
The DOE estimates the initiative will provide the equivalent of more than 3 million gallons of petroleum annually. In addition to installing Autogas refueling stations, the project scope involves marketing campaigns to surrounding municipal, state and private fleets about Autogas vehicle options (e.g. school buses, shuttle buses, medium and light-duty trucks, etc.) and economic and environmental benefits of using one of the nation's most readily available, domestically produced alternative fuels.
There are more than 300,000 Autogas-powered cars and trucks on the road and more than 5 million forklifts operating in the United States today. A significant number of these vehicles are in and around the targeted metropolitan areas where CleanFUEL USA plans to build out the national refueling Autogas network in collaboration with its partners.
CleanFUEL USA is headquartered in Georgetown, Texas. It is a leading manufacturer of certified and approved alternative fuel dispensing equipment for both propane and E85.
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