SAN FRANCISCO — Noting their gas-guzzling and pollution spewing attributes, Contra Costa County Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier wants the county to limit the purchase of SUVs and instead buy as many fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles as possible, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "I think public agencies should be the first ones to say we're going to do something voluntarily about fuel consumption,'' DeSaulnier recently declared. “It's not that we're going to eliminate SUVs, we're just going to be more analytical about why we get them.” DeSaulnier — who drives his own BMW sedan and serves on the state Air Resources Board and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District — plans to take the idea to other local governments in the Bay Area. Not totally eliminating SUVs in the county's fleet; the policy would allow sheriff's deputies or fire officials who can show the for need an off-road vehicle to use one. A similar policy is being developed in San Diego County. State, county and city governments have long tried to save fuel costs and help the environment by purchasing cleaner vehicles. Last year, state lawmakers approved a bill by Senate President Pro Tem John Burton calling for greater fuel efficiency in the state's fleet of 73,000 vehicles and for agencies to prove they need an SUV or four-wheel drive truck before buying one. Contra Costa County has 44 SUVs — including Ford Explorers and Expeditions and Chevrolet Blazers and Tahoes — in its fleet of about 2,000 cars, which includes fire district, school and sanitation vehicles, fleet manager Frank Morgan said. Most of the SUVs are used by the sheriff or fire departments. “If you're replacing a SUV, there aren't very many questions asked,'” Morgan said. “If they're trying to purchase a new one, that's a different story.” One department wanted an SUV to pick people up at a camp, Morgan said, but “they were denied. We told them they could use a station wagon.” The county also operates 42 hybrid Toyota Priuses and six hybrid Honda Civics, as well as 59 compressed natural gas vehicles, the cleanest-burning vehicles available. Morgan called the proposed new anti-SUV policy “more glitter than glamour. Whenever a department requests a vehicle from the fleet, they have to fill out a vehicle request form which asks if they can use an alternative fuel vehicle. If they say no, they have to justify their request.” Alameda County's fleet manager, Tom Gannon, said he has 33 SUVs, mostly Dodge Durangos or Jeep Cherokees. Employees can ask for an SUV, he said, but “I usually try to talk them out of it. I try to recommend a pickup with a shell. I don't have enough money to buy a $25,000 SUV.” Santa Clara County's 2,400 vehicles include about 145 SUVs used mainly by sheriff's deputies and park rangers patrolling rugged hills, fleet manager Richard Simon said. The go-anywhere vehicles proved invaluable during floods and the Loma Prieta earthquake, he noted. However, if a county department requests a new SUV, it must be justified, he said. The county is buying more clean vehicles, including 80 hybrid cars and 100 small electric vehicles similar to golf carts. Marin and Sonoma counties also have purchased more clean-fuel vehicles. The county's assistant garage manager, Paul Makinson, said the county is testing bio-diesel fuel — made from recycled vegetable and other oils — for dump trucks. Eight gas-electric hybrid vehicles and five compressed natural gas cars are already in the motor pool. The county's fleet of nearly 800 vehicles includes fewer than 20 SUVs. Sonoma County fleet manager Dave Head said there are 15 SUVs among the 1, 200 county vehicles. The county has nine hybrid vehicles in the fleet and another 12 on order, Head said, adding that he is always looking at clean fuel options.