Verizon Rolls Out Hybrid Trucks on Long Island, First of 160 Alternative-Energy Company Vehicles Coming to New York

GARDEN CITY, N.Y., May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Five hybrid aerial-lift trucks were unveiled Friday (May 21) at Verizon's Long Island headquarters here, the first of 160 alternative-energy vehicles that the company will add to its fleet in New York this year as part of its commitment to conserving fuel, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to improved air quality in the communities it serves.

The five vehicles, also known as bucket trucks, have batteries that help power the engine and also provide the sole power for the mechanical boom that raises a four-sided platform, or "bucket," to enable a technician to work on overhead telephone lines or other equipment.  In the traditional versions of Verizon's bucket trucks, the mechanical booms are powered by the trucks' gasoline or diesel engines.  

Heavy-duty chargers that plug into an electrical outlet are used to recharge the hybrid trucks' batteries.   The batteries will be recharged at night, when power demand from the nation's grid -- generally the cleanest and most efficiently produced energy -- is low.

(NOTE: To view a video of the hybrid aerial lift trucks at work, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5RDYkBnh7k.)

"I applaud Verizon's initiative to add hybrid aerial trucks to its already existing fleet of alternative-energy vehicles, said Kevin S. Law, president and CEO of the Long Island Power Authority.  "Earlier this year, LIPA introduced two hybrid bucket trucks into its fleet.  These trucks have provided many green benefits including: improving our air quality, curbing noise pollution, increasing energy efficiency and providing financial savings for our customers."

On an annual basis, each of Verizon's five plug-in hybrid trucks is expected to use 750 to 1,500 fewer gallons of fuel and cut greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 7 to 14 tons over the traditional models they replace. The hybrid system is also quieter than traditional models, which helps cut noise pollution.   The five trucks will be based at the company's Woodbury garage and primarily serve the northern and central areas of Nassau County.    

"Using lower-carbon alternatives to power our fleet and our highly intelligent broadband networks are just some of the ways we're reducing greenhouse gas emissions," said James Gowen, chief sustainability officer for Verizon. "We're proud of the fact that as we increase the sustainability of our business we're also contributing to improved air quality in New York."

Verizon is rolling out more than 1,100 alternative energy vehicles across the country this year, and increasing use of biodiesel and flex-fuel (E85) to power 470 vehicles. The company will operate approximately 250 alternative energy vehicles in New York by the end of 2010.

In addition to replacing traditional fuel vehicles with cleaner, lower-carbon alternatives, Verizon employees have been reducing CO2 emissions by cutting engine idling times. Since 2008, Verizon employees have conserved more than 2.7 million gallons of fuel, the equivalent amount of GHG emitted by about 4,580 vehicles annually.  

The company also operates the largest fuel cell facility of its kind in Garden City.  The facility, which earned the federal government's prestigious Energy Star Award, uses seven fuel cells capable of generating up to 1.2 megawatts annually, enough to supply the energy needs of more than 800 single-family households.  

To learn more about how Verizon is reducing the environmental impact of its operations, visit http://newscenter.verizon.com/kit/green-press-kit/ or http://responsibility.verizon.com/.  

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 93 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 217,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon