Government agencies moving toward 'green' fleets
by Mary Scott Nabers,
CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Governmental agencies own lots of vehicles and public officials are focused on making their fleets greener. Companies interested in offering solutions related to this objective will find a huge marketplace.
Not only must officials keep the vehicles running and service them in a cost-efficient way, they are now under mandates to begin utilizing alternative fuels and green technology. Federal mandates require fleet managers to operate with 100 percent alternative fuel, hybrid or electric vehicles by 2015. Examples of this trend are being seen across the country and include:
Colorado
Colorado and Oklahoma came together recently to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at increasing the number of clean-energy vehicles in their states’ fleets.
Since then, six more states, including Wyoming, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Utah, New Mexico and Maine, have signed the MOU as well. These states will work together to draft a request for proposals to aggregate the statewide purchasing of alternative energy fleet vehicles.
Texas
In an effort to support the development of natural gas fleets, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) announced it will offer up to $4.5 million in grants for government entities, businesses and individuals offering solutions for alternative fuel stations and services across the state. The TCEQ will accept grant applications until April 16.
Tennessee
A number of state energy efficiency projects through the Clean Tennessee Energy Grant Program are designed to both increase cost savings and decrease emissions. Private firms are encouraged to get involved with the program.
The Clean Tennessee Energy Grant Program will provide financial assistance to government agencies (state and local) and utility districts to purchase, install and construct fleet projects that improve fuel efficiency. Applications will be accepted until March 30.
Oklahoma
The city of Tulsa plans to spend $875,000 on compressed natural gas (CNG) fleet upgrades. Funding for this initiative comes from both federal energy program grants and funds from the Tulsa Authority for the Recovery of Energy.
Tulsa also plans to construct six dedicated CNG fueling points for refuse collection trucks to build an open-to-the-public retail CNG fueling station by the end of 2012.
Virginia
An Alternative Fuel Vehicle Conversion Fund was created at the end of 2011 to implement a plan to convert the state’s fleet to alternative fuel vehicles. Virginia is developing a plan to convert its fleet vehicles via its Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act (PPEA) process. The fund will receive federal funds to use for reducing congestion and improving air quality.
The needs and the mandates in this area create a huge marketplace for companies offering vehicle services, alternative fuels and/or green technologies.
Mary Scott Nabers is president and CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., a 16-year-old procurement consulting and procurement research firm headquartered in Austin, Texas.
