Environmental, economic benefits of propane vehicles showcased at Clean Cities event
In its drive to reduce harmful transportation emissions, the Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition, along with the Propane Education & Research Council, invites fleet managers, school administrators, vehicle providers, equipment manufacturers, fuel providers, and the public to attend a workshop about the advantages of powering vehicles with propane.
The program, called "Propane Power in the Preserves," will be held on Thursday, Aug. 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, 12545 W. 111th St. Lemont, IL 60439. Propane vehicles also will be available for test drives.
"There are many fleets throughout the Chicago area using propane to power their vehicles, including passenger vehicles, pickup trucks, police cars, delivery vehicles, cargo vans, shuttles, and school buses," said John Walton, chair, Chicago Area Clean Cities. "Using propane to power vehicles has environmental and economic benefits. It's a safe and easy-to-use fuel that has lower tailpipe emissions. It also is quieter than diesel combustion and costs less than diesel or gasoline.
"We're holding the event with the Propane Education & Research Council to show commercial and government fleets how to go green while saving green," Walton said.
The program is open to anyone who wants to learn about the advantages of using propane as a transportation fuel as well as those who currently own or operate propane-powered fleet vehicles. Register for the free event at https://propanepower.eventbrite.com.
Propane, also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or autogas, has a proven track record of success in a wide variety of vehicle applications, including school buses, public and private transit, delivery services, law enforcement, and work trucks.
Globally, propane is the most widely-used alternative fuel, and nearly 90 percent of propane supplies are produced in the U.S. Fleets can significantly reduce greenhouse gas, NOx, and SOx emissions compared to diesel and gasoline, while also cutting fuel and maintenance costs, too.
Propane comes from both the refining of crude oil and processing of natural gas. It is nontoxic and water insoluble. Unlike gasoline or diesel fuel, propane is a liquid only when under high pressure (as in a tank), so any leaks evaporate, preventing fuel from entering ground or surface water. Propane also burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 25 percent and carbon dioxide emissions by 60 percent, as well as reducing emissions of other air pollutants.
Speakers at the event will include:
• Greg Zilberfarb, Propane Education & Research Council
• Aaron DeWeese, Illinois Propane Gas Association
• John Benish Jr., Cook-Illinois Corporation
• Tom Thompson, Forest Preserves of Cook County
• Tom Hopkins, ROUSH CleanTech
• Lynn Stafford, Stag USA
• Christina Roberts, Suburban Propane
The program will culminate with a tour of the Sagawau Canyon Nature Preserve, which features unique plants and rock formations.
Members of the Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition include public and private fleets throughout the six-county Chicago area. Coalition stakeholders come together to share information and resources, educate the public, help craft public policy, and collaborate on projects that reduce petroleum use and lead to improved air quality.
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is a nonprofit that provides leading propane safety and training programs and invests in research and development of new propane- powered technologies. PERC is operated and funded by the propane industry. To learn more about propane autogas fleet vehicles, visit propane.com/on-road-fleets.
Chicago Area Clean Cities (CACC) is a nonprofit coalition focused on promoting clean transportation in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. CACC is one of more than 90 coalitions across the country that are affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities program, which brings together stakeholders to increase the use of alternative fuel and advanced-vehicle technologies, reduce idling, and improve fuel economy and air quality. The coalition concentrates its efforts on educating businesses and municipalities in the six-county Chicago area, including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. To become involved or learn more about the coalition visit http://chicagocleancities.org.