CHICAGO – The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has expanded its fleet of hybrid vehicles with three Chevrolet Silverado hybrid pickup trucks. Financing for the vehicles came from grant money award to the CDA through the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) Program. The FAA pays 75% of the purchase price of the vehicles. The CDA will receive approximately $25,000 from this grant.

There are now more than 90 low-emissions vehicles operating at O’Hare, including more than 50 hybrid SUVs and pickup trucks. Also, CDA stated that nearly all of its construction equipment is Tier 2 or newer, and all of those vehicles working on the O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP) are required to use ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel.

The VALE program is an FAA incentive that allows airports to use the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds, and Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs), to finance low emission vehicles, refueling and recharging stations, gate electrification, and other types of air-quality improvements.

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