According to estimates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), around 17 million gallons of gasoline are spilled every year in the U.S. from refueling landscape equipment. Not only that, gasoline-powered mowers account for an estimated five percent of U.S. air pollution. Refueling with propane is a spill-free, zero-emissions process, and propane-powered mowers reduce emissions by up to 30 percent. Propane mowers are so green they can even be used on “ozone action” days when other mowers are out of commission!

Commercial mowers can use over a thousand gallons of fuel a year, so at a savings of around $2 per gallon compared to gasoline, switching to propane is a smart choice. And because mowing season also means that summer is right around the corner, propane-powered fleets and landscapers also avoid the annual summer gasoline price spike. Propane mowers also have longer operating times between fueling compared to traditional gasoline mowers, with no loss of cutting power.

Visit the Propane Education and Research Council’s autogas website for more information on propane mowers, including incentive opportunities.

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It’s nearly impossible to imagine this massive country of ours functioning without passenger vehicles, trucks and bus fleets–we need transportation to get us to and from work, to deliver goods and services, and often just to make it from place to place across the suburban sprawl. However, there are ways we can lessen the environmental impact, the “carbon footprint,” our vehicles are leaving behind. Step one is walking and driving more, and also taking public transportation when possible. Drivers who can afford the upfront cost of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles can also do their part to protect the environment by purchasing cleaner vehicles.

America’s fleet industry can make the most difference in improving the air quality of our communities, right now. With thousands of vehicles on the road every day, vehicle fleets can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and harmful pollutants by running on domestic clean fuel like propane autogas, natural gas and biodiesel.

Propane autogas is among the lowest total carbon emissions fuels, showing at least a 20 percent reduction in emissions versus gasoline or diesel. In fact, autogas is so much cleaner than conventional fuels, fleets often need less maintenance (think fewer oil changes and less vehicle down time!) and report their propane-powered engines actually last longer. Also, fueling up with propane autogas is greener than gasoline because autogas fuel stations are spill-free with zero-emissions.

Worried about being able to refuel your clean propane autogas vehicles? Don’t be. There are currently more than 2,500 autogas fueling stations throughout the U.S., and that number is growing every day as more fleets switch to this American-made fuel. And with an affordable cost of implementation, it’s financially viable for vehicle fleets to get up and running on clean-burning autogas today at little-to-no upfront cost.

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• The Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office showcased one of their clean-burning autogas cruisers at Gov. McDonnell’s press conference. Spotsylvania converted vehicles to autogas through Alliance AutoGas, with funding under the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program.

• Meanwhile, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper said he expects a coalition of 22 states to agree to buying as many 10,000 CNG vehicles annually – that is, if U.S. automakers build them.

• October is Energy Action Month! What habits can you change to enhance our nation’s energy security?

• The West Virginia Board of Education is looking to revise a policy that currently prohibits the use of propane for school buses in order to convert their fleet to autogas.

• Several ROUSH CleanTech customers were recognized at the Green Fleet Conference & Expo this week as “Sustainability All-Stars.”

• Alliance partner Charter Fuels is teaming up with the American Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) to help fund breast cancer research. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Like Alliance AutoGas on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for daily updates.

Check out these top energy news stories of the week:

• Clean Cities – Atlanta is hosting a “Lunch & Learn” event in Decatur, Ga. today to educate fleets about the benefits of propane autogas for their business operations

• American Fuel Facts published an article about how the heat wave is affecting the ethanol industry

• In a related article, the Huffington Post reports on how the drought is affecting the US economy at large

• Retail gasoline prices increased in July, averaging $3.50 per gallon

• Luxury electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla Motors posted a $93 million loss in the second quarter

• The hydrogen fuel cell industry is trying to stage a comeback, and the U.S. Senate has brought back the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Caucus

Follow us on Twitter or like our Facebook page for ongoing alternative fuel news updates and insights for fleets.

This week’s roundup brings us news of four additional conversion centers joining the Alliance AutoGas network. Catch up on other alternative fuel news:

• The alternative vehicle fuels tax credit drama continues in Louisiana, where Gov. Bobby Jindal is refusing to release records showing how much was spent.
• Army officials are sounding the call for a diverse energy portfolio, saying, “When you only have one option, you have no options.”
• Apparently, public charging of electric vehicles isn’t so cut and dry. Green Car Reports wonders if market forces will drive down charging costs over time.
• GE researchers have been awarded a $1.8M grant to develop a low-cost
  residential natural gas fueling station.

Follow @AllianceAutoGas or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/allianceautogas.

Making the switch to propane buses has already displaced more than 900 gallons of gasoline in June alone. The primary reason the Biltmore decided to go with propane autogas? “The main reason we did this is the environment. We’ve been trying to take care of the environment for many years, and it’s one of our legacies,” said Rick Conard, Biltmore’s vice president of guest operations.

Conard also noted the cost savings autogas provides, with the Biltmore saving up to $1.30 less per gallon with autogas over gasoline.

For more stories of public and private fleets going green with propane autogas, visit our case studies page online.

We hope you all had a great 4th of July yesterday. One of the best photos of fireworks shows we’ve seen comes from San Diego, where a glitch caused all the fireworks to go off at once! Check it out. In other news:

• The California legislature is voting on whether to fund the controversial high-speed rail project in that state. 56 percent of California voters oppose the project.
• The Green Fleet Conference & Expo will feature propane autogas and other
  alternative fuel technologies in October in Schaumberg, Ill.
• The Navy’s “green” biofuel reportedly costs $27 per GALLON! (Autogas: less than 2 bucks a gallon)

As always, follow us @AllianceAutogas on Twitter and on Facebook at facebook.com/allianceautogas.

• Darren Engle, chairman of the Propane Education & Research Council’s Research and Technology Development Working Group, and also marketing director for Blue Star Gas, is the keynote speaker at the 52nd annual Pacific Propane Convention & Trade Show today and tomorrow. Engle’s speech will focus on propane autogas technology and infrastructure for U.S. fleets.

• Autogas for America Founder and Alliance AutoGas President Stuart Weidie was interviewed by AZoCleantech.com about the advantages of propane autogas for American fleets and the process of switching from gasoline to propane vehicles.

• Due to the nationwide heat wave, natural gas prices are increasing as energy demands are expected to rise. Benchmark crude is currently up around $80 per barrel due to positive economic news Wednesday.

• The hot weather is having an effect on ethanol prices, too – corn ethanol increased to its highest price in a month due to lower crop yield expectations.

Follow @AllianceAutoGas on Twitter and like us on Facebook or the latest alternative fuel and fleet industry news updates.

• Turn off the lights: with longer days and cool spring breezes, many of us can afford to cut down on our energy use at home (whether you use electric, natural gas, or propane). Try turning the air and lights off for a few hours to preserve energy resources.

• Don’t leave the faucet running! A simple, but often overlooked act, turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth or put dishes in the dishwasher could save a lot of water – and is even more important in regions hit by droughts over the past few years. Also, make sure none of your faucets are dripping – this can waste many gallons if not fixed.

• Be an advocate for clean fuels: not everyone knows about the wonders of propane autogas, you know. If you’re an autogas fleet manager or operator, spread the word about this clean fuel to fleet managers at other companies and public agencies. Or, forward the Autogas for America newsletter to educate your colleagues about this fuel and the technology.

Have a great weekend and a fun Earth Day this Sunday! Find Earth Day events in your town at http://act.earthday.org/events/search/distance/10601.

For the latest green tips and alternative fuel fleet news and views, follow @AllianceAutoGas or find us on Facebook.