• AOL’s Autobloggreen wrote about how Alliance AutoGas is helping to expand the network of propane autogas stations in the U.S.

• The lawn and landscaping team for the national mall in Washington D.C. just gained six new clean propane autogas mowers.

• DIRECTV plans to expand its propane autogas vehicle fleet over the next year.

• U.S. Sen. Bob Casey outlined legislation Monday that would add more alternative fuel stations along U.S. highways.

• Legislation sponsored by New Jersey Senators Bob Smith and Linda R. Greenstein was approved in the Senate to help the state’s transition to low- and zero-emission vehicles.

• A Wisconsin Alliance AutoGas partner and fleet customer has increased its clean fleet to 10 propane service vans, with fuel supply and support from Charter Fuels.

• Finally, listen to Autogas for America founder and Alliance AutoGas President Stuart Weidie discuss why propane autogas is an ideal fuel for fleets.

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Propane autogas is an ideal fuel for sheriff’s fleets because it’s dependable, cost-effective and won’t affect vehicle performance. With the bi-fuel Prins VSI autogas system, used by Alliance AutoGas when converting gasoline vehicles to run on autogas, officers have increased vehicle range because the system automatically reverts to gasoline if the autogas tank runs out. Also, this versatile system is attractive for sheriff’s fleets because it can be switched from retiring vehicles to newer models with very little cost or vehicle downtime.

Running on autogas also saves fleets significantly on fuel costs–right now upwards of $1.80 per gallon versus gasoline–a savings that counties can put back into the pockets of taxpayers or other programs. And since propane autogas is a cleaner-burning fuel than gasoline, autogas vehicles require less maintenance and the engines last longer.

Alliance AutoGas has helped many sheriff’s fleets across the U.S. switch to propane autogas. Fleets such as the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office save thousands on fuel costs and reduce emissions with clean autogas cruisers. Deputies say they love the performance, reliability and ease of operating propane autogas vehicles.

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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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JHA co-owner Ben Jackson says they discussed the “autogas option” for about five years and, after extensive research, recently decided to convert Chevrolet Express vans, Silverado trucks and GMC Sierra trucks in their fleet to autogas. Blossman Gas provides year-round fuel supply, while certified Alliance conversion center Force 911 performed the vehicle conversions at local automotive repair service center Stanford Automotive.

“Making the switch to autogas was a smart decision for our fleet,” says Dale Jackson, co-owner. “Not only is autogas better for the environment than gasoline, it will ultimately save the company thousands of dollars on reduced fuel and maintenance costs, a savings which in turn will be passed on to our customers.”

As part of their 40-year anniversary celebration, JHA featured their clean fleet at an event in LaGrange last Friday. Check out the video below for first-hand testimonials from owners Dale and Ben Jackson about how they’ve benefited from operating fleet vehicles on autogas.

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The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office converted 10 Ford Crown Victorias to run on autogas with funding through the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program, which administered by Virginia Clean Cities. The new clean vehicles will not only displace 20 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year, they will also save the county more than $13,000 annually on fuel costs. Each year, the sheriff’s cruisers travel an average of almost 25,000 miles and will use around 17,000 gallons of propane autogas.

From the article:

“We were looking at two main things when it came to switching to alternative fuel vehicles,” said Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan. “We wanted to boost our bottom line in terms of fuel cost savings and also have cleaner-burning cars on the road.”

Propane autogas was the practical fuel choice, he added, because it supports these goals and utilizes an American-made fuel. Plus, there isn’t a noticeable difference in vehicle performance other than the “motor runs a little quieter” on autogas.

Alliance AutoGas provides vehicle conversions and fueling for fleets in the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program. Sheriff Duncan is particularly pleased with the bi-fuel Prins VSI (Vapor Sequential Injection) autogas conversion systems, distributed by Alliance in the U.S.

“The ability to switch back to gasoline is a tremendous option for law enforcement fleets,” said Sheriff Duncan. “It’s just one button on the center of the dash and you’re back to running on gasoline.”

The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office will be recognized with a Clean Air Excellence Award from the Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency May 14 in Asheville, N.C.

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Until then, here’s your weekly collection of the top alternative fuel news headlines:

• The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has issued its annual alternative fuel vehicle data set…for 2011. Better late than never? Natural gas, ethanol and propane autogas were the top three most-consumed alternative fuels.

• Williamson County, Texas, is saving $73,000 annually operating 36 fleet vehicles on autogas. Their story is part of the Fueling Texas campaign from the Propane Council of Texas to educate fleets across the state about the benefits of operating on autogas.

• A New York school district is considering adding Blue Bird propane-powered buses to its fleet.

• The Chicago Tribune offers a few simple fuel economy tips for drivers.

• Is turning cow manure into natural gas the future of clean energy?

• A local FedEx Ground delivery fleet in South Carolina is running on autogas.

• Affordable electric vehicles are still not a reality.

• The Monticello Police Department in Iowa is considering the switch to propane autogas.

• TransEnergy Solutions and the Propane Education & Research Council are hosting a Green Transportation Conference in Denver April 30.

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• A lawn and landscaping company in Missouri saved around $10,000 over the past year operating propane mowers.

• A county in West Virginia plans to compare fleet vehicles that run on propane autogas versus compressed natural gas.

• You can register here for the upcoming Energy Independence Summit 2013, where the nation’s Clean Cities coordinators and clean transportation experts will discuss the future of alternative fuel vehicles in the U.S.

• The Mass Transportation Authority in Michigan just received its first four of 60 total new propane autogas fleet vehicles. MTA originally considered CNG vehicles, but it would have required spending more money on special storage and fueling facilities.

• We’re seeing a trend pop up time and again in the news headlines, first with state governments and now the federal government as well: how do we pay for transportation infrastructure traditionally funded by the gasoline tax, when more and more people are driving less overall and driving alternative fuel vehicles more? Problem is, no one wants to punish drivers who choose clean fuel and advanced technology vehicles by taxing them, but the funds have to come from somewhere! Expect to see more legislation to solve this issue making the news in 2013.

• U.S. truckers say natural gas vehicles are too pricey.

• The West Allegheny school district in the Pittsburgh area plans to begin incorporating propane-powered school buses in their fleet.

• The City of Temple, Texas, is adding 11 clean propane autogas vehicles to their fleet, which already includes five autogas vehicles.

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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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Alliance AutoGas, ROUSH Cleantech and Force 911 propane autogas trucks at the Chattanooga roadshow.

• The Tennessee Alternative Fuel Vehicle Roadshow kicked off this week in Kingsport, and Alliance AutoGas and Force 911 were there to display clean propane autogas vehicles. Alliance’s own autogas expert Steve Whaley spoke with a local news reporter in Knoxville about the benefits of operating fleet vehicles on affordable, American-made autogas.

• A Georgia school district is enjoying the cost savings of operating on autogas.

• A town in New York state will test out propane autogas vehicles.

• A new propane autogas dispenser was unveiled at the Midwest Propane Gas Convention this week.

• Fleet Owner magazine questions what alternative fuel technologies have the “legs to last long-term.”

• In the battle of the plug-ins, GM is winning out over Nissan: the Chevy Volt outsold the Nissan Leaf last year.

• How the “fracking boom” could transform the U.S. transportation industry.

• The University of Iowa bus fleet has had to raise prices for its transit fares and passes for the first time in 15 years due to rising gasoline prices. Sounds like they could benefit from a switch to alternative fuel!

• Speaking of which, Alliance AutoGas welcomed an Iowa farmers co-op called Key Cooperative this week, to bring more propane autogas vehicles to the Midwest.

• The House Transportation Committee in Vermont is recommending a gasoline tax hike.

• The City of Trussville, Ala., is getting a new CNG fueling station this week–only the 5th CNG station in the state and one of only 566 nationwide.

• A new Advanced Technology Transportation Center at an Oregon college will train students to maintain alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, as well as to perform propane autogas and CNG vehicle conversions.

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–Fleet Director of ROUSH CleanTech fleet customer Dish Network

Whether it’s from a dedication to environmental responsibility or a need for fuel cost savings, more fleets than ever are choosing to run their vehicles on propane autogas. The alternative fuel technology experts at ROUSH CleanTech have created a video highlighting company activities during 2012, with a special focus on the many propane-powered fleets that are saving thousands on fuel costs and significantly reducing emissions with new clean-burning autogas vehicles.

Hear from real-life fleet managers and transportation directors who are pleased with the performance of their new autogas vehicles, from clean Blue Bird Vision school buses to Ford trucks and vans with ROUSH autogas systems.

U.S. autogas fleets are currently saving around $1.75 on fuel compared to gasoline; and because autogas is a cleaner burning fuel, many fleets also report reduced maintenance needs and even increased engine life.

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