Green fleet on the street
An idea that took root with a single hybrid car five years ago is now the official way of doing business for the Lake County Forest Preserve District.
Forest preserve commissioners this week approved a "green fleet" policy in an effort to improve air quality, protect the environment and eventually save money.
"It is the right thing to do," said Commissioner Pam Newton of Long Grove. Newton also is vice chair of the land use, energy and environment committee of the National Association of Counties. "It's imperative government leads the way."
With nature as its charge, district officials have been adding hybrids, using bio-fuels and generally trying to be as energy efficient as possible with its 120 licensed vehicle fleet.
The district is one of 80 entities to join the voluntary Illinois Green Fleets program. The fleets use clean fuels, such as natural gas, propane, E-85, biodiesel and electricity, to help reduce emissions and provide cost savings.
Lake Zurich, Highland Park, Winthrop Harbor police department, College of Lake County and the public works center at Great Lakes Naval Station are listed as Lake County participants.
For the Lake County forest preserve district, the new policy formalizes the process by requiring reviews of every vehicle purchase. It also discourages use of sport utility or four-wheel drive vehicles, and limits driving and fueling on Air Pollution Action Days.
Record keeping and reporting on fuel cost per mile, emission reductions and other aspects of the program will be required.
The policy guidelines are not set-in-stone directives, although all new gasoline-powered vehicles must be flexible fuel or hybrids when available. All diesel-powered vehicles must run on a 20 percent alternative source.
"We tried to keep it flexible so as new technologies come on the market we're not locked into one," said Mike Tully, director of operations and public safety.
The district has been replacing old vehicles with hybrids, which run on a combination of gasoline and electricity, or with vehicles that can run on a higher percentage of alternative fuels. Since some of those vehicles can be more expensive, a cost analysis is required.
Tully noted the cost of a Toyota Prius at about $24,000 compared to about $17,000 for a Chevy Impala. The Prius gets 17 more miles per gallon, but the cost difference means about $300 more per year for the hybrid.
Still, there are advantages, Tully said.
"In return for this $300, we use less gasoline, improve local air quality and are perceived as environmental leaders," he reported.
The policy eventually will produce savings as gasoline costs rise and the cost of hybrids falls, he added.
Hybrids aren't available for larger trucks or police cars. The district now uses a 20 percent blend of alternative fuel mixed with diesel.
"Right now on the hybrid side, it's not (saving money), but on the biofuel side it is," Tully said.
The policy calls for close scrutiny of sport utility vehicle purchases. When considering replacements, the district will determine how the vehicles are to be used.
"It has to be able to do the job," Tully said. "Our specifications won't change as it comes to functions, but we're going to set minimum mileage standards even in the larger vehicles."