The Polk County Sheriff’s Office will reduce its fuel costs by more than $20,000 annually with the new propane-powered patrol cars. Conversions and fueling are provided through Alliance AutoGas, with West Coast flagship fuel provider Blue Star Gas at the helm. Converted vehicles include seven Ford Crown Victorias, two Chevy Tahoes and one Ford F-350 pickup truck.

Sergeant Mark Garton of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said they were looking for a way to save money on the fuel costs since patrol cars average almost 25,000 miles each year. Now, not only will officers save money on fuel costs at the pump, there’s also a 50-cent-per-gallon federal alternative fuel tax credit that will go back into the pocket of the county–and back to services that benefit taxpayers.

Deputies haven’t detected any loss in vehicle performance with the propane-powered cruisers, and they’re also enjoying the versatility offered by the bi-fuel Prins VSI autogas system Alliance AutoGas uses for vehicle conversions.

“The ability to switch back to gasoline is a tremendous option for our fleet because in an emergency situation, we not only have a full tank of propane but also a backup full tank of gasoline,” said Sergeant Garton.

For more first-hand fleet testimonials from other propane autogas fleets, visit the Alliance AutoGas website.

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On the West Coast, lawmakers are being asked to decide whether to lift the 2015 sunset date on the Oregon Clean Fuels Program. Created in 2009, the Program creates a low-carbon fuel standard, with the goal of cutting the average carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 10 percent over the course of a decade. This can be achieved by either blending more ethanol and biodiesel into conventional fuels, or by alternative fuel providers and clean fleets selling fuel “credits” to those who don’t meet the low-carbon goals.

While many support extending the Program to ensure clean air for future generations of Oregonians–including alternative fuel providers like Blue Star Gas–opponents say it will only create higher prices for conventional fuel, goods and services. Now that the Oregon Senate has heard arguments from both sides of the debate, only time will tell whether this Clean Fuel Program has a future.

Meanwhile, the Virginia transportation funding reform bill is still under revision. Governor Bob McDonnell made several amendments today that included cutting the disputed $100 fee on hybrid cars to $64 a year. In a move similar to the Virginia bill, Vermont is also weighing the benefits of an extra registration charge for alternative fuel vehicles as a way to make up for reduced amount of gasoline taxes now that people are driving less overall and choosing alternative-fueled vehicles more often.

The Iowa Senate is considering a bill to provide a tax credit for the construction of alternative fuel stations, while the West Virginia State Senate’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted to reinstate tax credits for electric vehicles in a bill enacting incentives alternative fuel vehicles and refueling infrastructure. It will also soon be easier for Utah schools to run bus fleets on alternative fuel like CNG and autogas, and tax credits for alternative fuel vehicles–including those powered by propane autogas– in Colorado just passed the first House committee.

It’s a positive sign that alternative fuel vehicle technology is increasingly front-and-center in the cultural dialogue and supported by both the federal government and state legislators. However, regardless of government incentives, affordable alternative fuel like propane autogas is already widely available and viable for fleets, now. Visit the Alliance AutoGas website to find out more about switching your fleet vehicles to cost-effective, American-made alternative fuel.

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Lawmakers may take the clean fuel rules one step further in the new year by requiring retailers to reduce the carbon content of fuel by 10 percent per gallon by the year 2025. Many hope these new standards will spur clean energy innovation and the adoption of green transportation technology in the state. Companies could comply by blending in renewable fuels or by substituting cleaner alternative fuels.

According to Darren Engle of Blue Star Gas, this clean fuel mandate also presents a unique business opportunity: “full adoption of the low-carbon fuel standard would create an incentive for companies to convert fleets to run on propane, generating pollution credits that could be sold to high-polluting fuel suppliers.”

So, if lowering fuel costs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and utilizing an American-made fuel weren’t already compelling enough reasons for Oregon fleets to shift to propane autogas, now they have one more incentive! We’ll certainly be keeping an eye on updates to the Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program as they continue to develop.

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