September 2008, Government Fleet - Feature
City of Santa Monica Adapts Early to Alt-Fuel Use
By Mike Scott
Other Cities Call for Guidance
Other public sector fleets throughout the country have consulted Sikes on establishing an alternative-fuel vehicle program. One challenge often found is a natural resistance to change that must be overcome before a program can be effectively implemented.
Sikes admitted he had it "easy" because the program in Santa Monica was already established when he arrived less than a decade ago. Developing and maintaining such a program from scratch takes "a lot of work and true dedication," Sikes said. However, a number of other municipalities, including Riverside, Inglewood, and Culver City in California, and Las Vegas have instituted similar plans.
Municipalities in other states such as Texas, Washington, and Minnesota have also considered alternative-fuel programs. Some Minnesota municipalities are researching methods to use such biofuels as ethanol to power their vehicles.
The City of Austin, Texas is taking a proactive approach to this strategy. In February, Austin awarded a $138 million contract to Houston-based Sun Coast Resources Inc. to provide alternative fuel for the City’s fleet of vehicles and equipment. The six-year contract secures an estimated 3.2 million gallons of E-10 gasoline and 3.2 million gallons of biodiesel fuel for the city fleet.
The move marks another step in the City’s implementation of the Austin Climate Protection Plan, introduced last year by Austin Mayor Will Wynn. The plan calls for all city facilities, fleets, and operations to be carbon-neutral by 2020.
Austin fleet officials will convert several City fuel sites to accommodate alternative fuels. Following the conversion, more than half (roughly 51 percent) of the City’s fleet vehicles and equipment will operate on an alternative fuel or hybrid technology. Until replaced according to the fleet schedule, remaining fleet vehicles will run on an alternative-fuel blend of E-10 (90-percent gasoline, 10-percent ethanol) compatible with most engine systems without modification.
Research & Support Available
Sikes recommends a number of resources fleet managers and administrators can use for research and background information. The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute, Clean Cities events and programs, and air management quality districts around the country all help municipalities implement alternative-fuel vehicle programs, Sikes notes.
Clean Cities is part of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Program. It supports local decisions to adopt practices that contribute to the reduction of U.S. petroleum consumption. The Clean Cities network of approximately 90 volunteer coalitions develops public/private partnerships to promote alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, fuel blends, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, and vehicle idling reduction.
"Through these types of groups, you can network, become better educated, and learn about available technologies," Sikes said.
The City of Santa Monica and other municipalities are increasingly realizing that carbon dioxide emissions from the combustion of petroleum fuels are a major source of man-made greenhouse gas emissions. The use of less harmful fuel sources is an environmentally responsible action that can have positive financial impacts, although the City’s move isn’t budget-driven, Sikes said.