GENEVA, IL – The Geneva, Ill., City Council has approved the purchase of a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid for use by the staff at the city’s new water treatment facility, according to http://www.chicagosuburbannews.com. The purchase of the $23,765 SUV was made possible through the Illinois Joint Purchasing Program.

The city’s 10-year strategic plan calls for more green efforts, with suggestions that include offering incentives for energy-efficient building designs, reducing energy consumption in the city overall, and incorporating environmental issues in the city newsletter.

The city will consider replacing regular city vehicles with the more environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles in the future to combat rising fuel costs.