Clean Cities' Largest Vehicle Deployment Program Highlights Autogas Infrastructure Expansion at ACT Expo

LONG BEACH, Calif., May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This year's Alternative Clean Transportation Conference and Expo featured presentations from the administrator of the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program, Virginia Clean Cities (VCC). Funded by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act and the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities, the grant program is converting more than 1,000 vehicles from gasoline to propane autogas and implementing more than 25 propane autogas fueling stations across the Southeast. The Program is eliminating harmful vehicle emissions, reducing dependence on imported oil and creating jobs.

"The ACT Expo was the perfect opportunity to share our story about the positive impact this Program is having and to boost awareness of this affordable clean fuel," said Chelsea Jenkins, VCC Executive Director and a featured speaker at the expo. "Autogas is an alternative fuel that is readily available and can help our nation meet its critical environment and energy security goals while saving fleets money, too."

Jenkins spoke during the Propane Engine Fuel Summit Wednesday, May 4, as part of the Clean Cities and Propane Industry Partnerships panel. She detailed Program logistics and development, highlighting the partnership with national clean vehicle network Alliance AutoGas and recent accomplishments such as the newly launched educational propane autogas website. View the panel presentation here.

Friday, May 6, Jenkins delivered an informative presentation titled "If You Build It: Expanding Propane Autogas Infrastructure in the Southeast" during the Infrastructure: Planning Models – Corridors panel. Autogas has the most widespread fueling infrastructure in the U.S. of any alternative fuel, and Jenkins underscored the need for continued expansion to fulfill fleet demand for this low-cost, green option.

An American-made fuel that's both environmentally friendly and cost-effective for fleets, autogas supports VCC's mission of eliminating greenhouse gases, reducing U.S. dependence on imported oil, and creating American jobs. Autogas vehicle equipment and fueling infrastructure is cost-effective, while the fuel itself saves fleets around $1-per-gallon at the pump versus gasoline.

About Virginia Clean Cities

VCC works to improve Virginia's air quality, increase U.S. national energy security and promote economic opportunity in Virginia by facilitating increased use of alternative fuels and vehicles. The Clean Cities program is sponsored by the DOE in accordance with the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

About The Program

The Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program is comprised of public and private partnerships throughout nine states in the Southeast U.S. and Washington, DC. Over its four-year span, the program will put more than 1,000 clean autogas vehicles on the road and implement more than 25 autogas fueling stations. Supported by funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities Program, it is managed and administered by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and VCC at James Madison University. To learn more, visit www.usepropaneautogas.com or email [email protected].

SOURCE Virginia Clean Cities