Des Plaines mulls alternative fuel for city vehicles
Des Plaines officials may make changes to three city vehicles that would enable them to run on compressed natural gas, under an alternative fuel pilot program being considered by aldermen.
The city fleet currently has one vehicle that runs on natural gas. The pilot program would allow three additional cars — a police interceptor, animal control vehicle and fire department staff vehicle — to be fueled with both regular gas and natural gas.
Making the cars “bi-fuel” would require the addition of a tank, lines, computer system and other parts, said David Hagopian, vice president of operations at Advanced Vehicle Technology Services.
The Buffalo Grove firm, also known as Advanced VTech, is under consideration to convert the Des Plaines vehicles.
Such vehicles automatically revert from one fuel to the other when one tank runs out, Hagopian said.
It could cost Des Plaines as much as $35,000 to make the three vehicles natural gas-capable, though the cost would be less if the city receives state rebates for converting, said City Manager Mike Bartholomew.
Des Plaines isn't the first governmental entity that's considered using natural gas to fuel its fleet. Some vehicles used by Downers Grove and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County run on natural gas. Elgin officials are studying the issue.
Private industry is also adopting the practice — even in Des Plaines' own backyard. Ozinga Bros. began using natural gas in some of its concrete mixing trucks in 2011, and last year, opened a public fueling station at 200 Jarvis Ave. Some Waste Management and Groot Industries garbage trucks in the Chicago area also use natural gas.
Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Walsten has been pushing for the conversion of the city's fleet to natural gas and has taken exception with a city consultant's study that didn't endorse such a move. Walsten has argued that the vehicles would provide environmental benefits and cost savings over time for the city.
“This country has an addiction to petroleum and oil that is kind of embarrassing. While much of the world is switching over to alternative fuels, particularly CNG, we've lagged far behind,” Walsten said at a city council meeting last week. “It's made here in the U.S. We don't have to rely on foreign countries that don't like us, that want to destroy us.”
Aldermen voted 4-3 to ask city staff to evaluate Advanced VTech and other companies and advise whether they think the city should seek bids for the conversion work.
Walsten and other aldermen who voted “no” were prepared to give Advanced VTech the job right away, believing there wouldn't be other companies who have the same kind of technology or certifications.
Some council members, like 3rd Ward Alderman Denise Rodd, have expressed reservations in light of the study conducted for Des Plaines last year by Columbia, Maryland-based Energetics Inc.
“We spent $25,000 on a study by a contractor. They said it's not time right now for CNG for us,” Rodd said. “I have nothing against CNG. CNG is somewhere in our future. I just don't think it's right now.”
Police Chief Bill Kushner also has raised concerns about converting police vehicles to natural gas. He said Ford Motor Co. officials have indicated they will void vehicle warranties if something happens with the systems installed. And he believes a squad's “pursuit rating” could decline due to the added weight of the tank, lines and equipment.
Bartholomew said a pilot program would be acceptable, so long as the three vehicles remain outside and not be parked in city garages or facilities due to venting issues.
The council could take up consideration of a pilot program again as soon as its next meeting March 16.