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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See, the folks at Blue Star Gas are fond of a certain 1966 propane bobtail dubbed “Old No. 44.” The workhorse propane autogas-powered truck was in constant service from 1966 until 2006, traveling millions of miles until it finally retired. It was refurbished to its former glory in 2007, and has been making the rounds of car shows and parades ever since. And Old No. 44 is so dependable, it turns out Santa Claus has even been known to take it for a spin!

Follow us on Twitter or like our page on Facebook for the latest news affecting your fleet or the alternative fuel industry.

We at Autogas Fleet just wanted to share a few photos with you from some of the activities Alliance AutoGas has been involved in during the past few weeks.

First up was the Green Fleet conference in Schaumburg, Ill., where Alliance partnered with ROUSH CleanTech to spread the word about the benefits of clean propane autogas for fleets.

Then, the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office showed off one of their propane-powered cruisers during the Virginia Governor’s press conference announcing the executive order to switch state fleets to natural gas and autogas.

While Alliance AutoGas representative Steve McCoy said a few words on behalf of the partnership to provide affordable autogas fueling and vehicle conversions for Virginia state fleets.

Propane autogas technology was also the buzz at the Sunbelt Ag Expo, North America’s premier farm show.

Finally, here are a couple of pics from Odyssey Day events last Thursday in Atlanta and in Virginia, where they had a Propane Autogas Roadshow.

Can’t wait to see what next month holds! Like Alliance AutoGas on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for daily alternative fuel and fleet news updates.

• Alliance AutoGas welcomed Paraco Gas to the national partner network of propane autogas retailers, equipment providers and conversion centers. Paraco was named the 15th largest propane retailer in the U.S. by LP Gas magazine, and will service fleets in areas of Connecticut and New York, including the five boroughs of New York City.

• The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality announced over $5 million in grant money to help fleets switch vehicles to clean-burning alternative fuel.

• There’s a propane autogas webinar today at 1pm CT that will cover “troubleshooting autogas fuel systems from Impco/BRC Sequent, CleanFUEL USA LPI, ROUSH CleanTech LPI, and Prins VSI.”

• A mail and document transportation services fleet called Lake Michigan Mailers, Inc., is converting vehicles to autogas. The company president said he expects the conversions to reduce fleet’s cost per mile by 32 percent and for emissions to drop as much as 60 percent.

• A Chicago-area limousine company is also going green with propane autogas and compressed natural gas vehicles. Windy City Limousine has a fleet of around 200 limousines, limo buses, miniature buses, coaches and sedans. Company ownership looks forward to the fuel cost savings and environmental benefits from the new clean vehicles.

• South Shore Clean Cities and the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission invite Indiana fleets and vehicle technicians to a free, two-day propane autogas certification class June 19 and 20. The Clean Start Technician Training will include lectures and demonstrations on autogas safety, vehicle operation and diagnostics, and participants will receive a certificate of completion from Texas State Technical College.

• The Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program roadshow series will make a stop in Alabama next week. Interested fleets and drivers in the area should RSVP here.

Follow @AllianceAutoGas or like us on Facebook to stay updated on more alternative fuel and fleet industry news.

This conference is jam-packed with information for fleet owners and managers interested in switching to alternative fuel, whether to save money on fuel costs or drive cleaner. From heavy-duty trucking to light-duty vehicle fleets, domestic fuels like propane autogas and to electric vehicle technology, the ACT Expo provides a wealth of informative sessions to help fleet operators make the most cost-effective choice when it comes to adopting green vehicles.

Representatives from propane autogas industry organizations Alliance AutoGas partner Blue Star Gas, ROUSH CleanTech and the Propane Education and Research Council will be on hand to discuss how autogas can help fleets cut costs and emissions, while the VP of Schwan’s Home Service is set to speak about their company’s massive propane autogas fleet rollout.

Visit the ACT Expo website for more information, including a complete event agenda and a list of free training sessions, including Propane Autogas 101.

As the ACT Expo website asks: “What role will your fleet, fuel, vehicle, or technology play in the shift towards alternative fuels?”

Be sure to follow @AllianceAutoGas for the latest news affecting your fleet.

With gasoline prices continuing to rise, autogas is an affordable domestic fuel we can’t afford to ignore. CNG may be making headlines, but autogas is actually more cost-effective to implement when it comes to fueling infrastructure and vehicle conversions.

The event will showcase a wide range of autogas vehicles, from buses, trucks, and cars, to forklifts, commercial lawn mowers and golf carts. Virginia Clean Cities and Clean Cities-Atlanta will provide propane-powered vehicles from Georgia fleets in the landmark Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program. The autogas vehicles will be available for ride & drives following the parade and rally.

Participating industry organizations also include Alliance AutoGas, CleanFuel USA, ROUSH CleanTech and the Propane Education and Research Council. Visit www.pcc100.org for more information, including event times and location.

Here’s what’s up in the energy and alt fuel world:

• The U.S. Senate is set to debate a bill that would end subsidies and tax breaks for Big Oil. The sponsor of the bill noted that the top five oil producers collectively earned over $1 trillion over the past 10 years.
• New EPA regulations on greenhouse gas emissions for medium- and heavy-duty trucks are beginning to impact fleets’ purchasing and budgeting decisions. Newer big trucks running on natural gas or biodiesel can cost over $500,000. But, many public fleet managers believe it’ll be worth it in the long run.
• Miss. Governor Phil Bryant stood side-by-side with T. Boone Pickens last week to tout the importance of natural gas to the state’s energy policy. Curiously, there was no mention of propane autogas, despite being an affordable and American-made fuel.
• UPDATE: The EPA has just announced its final rule for greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, the first of its kind. Read more here.

• The NAT GAS Act was defeated in the Senate this week as part of the transportation bill–perhaps it’s time for more inclusive legislation to support all forms of alternative fuel technology, like propane autogas.

• Cars.com provides us with the obligatory “go green for St. Patrick’s Day” press release. It’s a thankless job, but someone has to do it.

• Have you heard the propane industry is celebrating 100 years in 2012? Join industry experts and autogas fleet owners and managers from across the country at the Propane Clean Air Rally and Autogas Parade in Atlanta April 14.

• Our friends at Texas Propane Fleets take a look at why more and more schools are turning to propane-powered buses. (Hint: one advantage is reducing children’s exposure to diesel exhaust!)

• In another instance of mounting support for clean transportation technology in the U.S., a Florida bill would boost alternative and renewable fuels.

• Looks like gasoline prices aren’t getting any lower any time soon! According to The Hill, if Israel attacks Iran, it could potentially mean gas prices will spike between $5-6 per gallon. Converting your fleet to propane vehicles, on the other hand, will save your more than $1 per gallon on fuel costs.

Follow @AllianceAutoGas for ongoing news updates and commentary.

• The Propane Education and Research Council showcased clean-burning, affordable propane autogas vehicles at the Work Truck Show this week.

• Work Truck Magazine‘s blog “Chatty Chassis” reported that Darren Engle of Alliance AutoGas partner Blue Star Gas shared the benefits of propane autogas for truck fleets during the Green Truck Summit. Engle even demonstrated the easy autogas fueling process for Fleet Owner magazine.

• Several announcements about new clean fuel trucks coincided with Work Truck Show week, including bi-fuel natural gas trucks from GM and Chrysler.

• The pain at the pump has the state of Virginia quickly moving forward with its plan to transition the state fleet to alternative fuel vehicles like those powered by propane autogas.

• There’s a new website that lets members list and search for any pre-owned alt fuel vehicle across the nation—sort of like a Craigslist for clean vehicles?

• The President is making plans to support the sale and use of alternative-fuel vehicles.

• Four new corporate partners have joined the DOE’s National Clean Fleets Partnership to encourage adoption of clean fuel and the development of infrastructure nationwide.

For ongoing news updates and commentary on alternative fuels and the transportation industry, follow us on Twitter: @AllianceAutoGas.

•  Aftermarket Business revealed this week how the internal combustion engine is giving the electric vehicle battery a run for its money through engines that run on propane autogas, natural gas or even organic energy.
• NineSigma, an open-innovation services provider, is working with the Propane Education & Research Council to develop several propane safety and education initiatives and new products fueled by propane autogas.
• A Colorado Springs school district is test driving a propane autogas-powered school bus. The bus, which district officials say has fewer emissions and is cheaper to refuel than diesel buses, was first used to transport students last Monday.
• Virginia businesses’ bottom lines are taking a hit in the face of rising gas prices. Luckily, businesses with high-mileage fleets have sustainable fueling alternatives.
• There’s less than two months till the start of the National Propane Gas Association’s (NPGA) Propane Centennial Celebration. The celebration kicks off April 14 with the 2012 NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo in Atlanta, Ga., which will feature a parade of autogas vehicles through a city park, followed by ride and drives and product demos
• And finally, a Washington, D.C., fleet is going green with 10 new alternative fuel vehicles.

For more ongoing coverage of fleet and alternative fuel news, check out our Facebook page at facebook.com/allianceautogas and follow us on Twitter at @allianceautogas.