SAN BERNARDINO, CA -- The City of San Bernardino Fleet Division will be taking delivery of 20 LNG (liquid natural gas) refuse vehicles starting in April 2007 with an additional 13 LNG vehicles to be placed on order in the next fiscal year. “These clean-fueled vehicles will greatly reduce the emissions in comparison to those produced by the older diesel-powered vehicles they will replace,” said George Newlin, equipment maintenance supervisor for the City of San Bernardino. These vehicles were partially funded through monies from a Carl Moyer grant, which provides additional funds to help pay the additional costs of these cleaner-fueled models.

“The City of San Bernardino's commitment to improve the air quality for its residents has also resulted in the city switching over to the use of an ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel which greatly reduces the pollution of its diesel- powered fleet,” said Newlin. In addition the City's Fleet Division has received MSRC funds through a Diesel Retrofit Grant Program for installation of 42 particulate traps on its heavy-duty diesel-powered vehicles, which has helped reduce diesel pollution.

The City of San Bernardino is also in the process of constructing a new LNG/CNG fueling station to be completed on or around Sept. 11,2007, and will be a public access station and will be used jointly with the County of San Bernardino. This fueling station has been partially funded through various state and federal grants.

“The City of San Bernardino Public Services Fleet Division will continue to investigate means to reduce the air pollution in the South Coast Air Basin where our residents reside,” said Newlin.

The City of San Bernardino Public Services Fleet Division was also awarded a commendation from the California Environmental Protection Agency in recognition of becoming a Model Pollution Prevention Vehicle Service and Repair Facility (Green Shop Award) on Sept. 28, 2004.