The DOE awarded $11 million in ARRA funding to Clean Fuels Ohio through the its Clean Cities Grant program in August of 2009. This $11 million award catalyzed an additional $18 million in OATP partner contributions to support the deployment of 280 compressed natural gas, propane, and electric powered vehicles and 15 refueling stations.

Execution of each partner's project will be contingent upon a signed contract with Clean Fuels Ohio.

Sam Spofforth, Executive Director of Clean Fuels Ohio, underscored the historic nature of this undertaking. "This will be the largest single investment in advanced transportation energy infrastructure and vehicle technology in our state's history. It will help develop markets for a range of cleaner transportation technologies that will help Ohio's economy, clean our air, and help break our addiction to foreign oil," said Spofforth.

"These projects are also about cost and efficiency. There is a solid business case for the use of these vehicles. Utilizing clean fuels and alternative vehicles will save money and help the environment at the same time."

The OATP, which is comprised of government, non-profit, and private sector partners, will be joined by First Lady of Ohio Frances Strickland; Mark R. Shanahan, Director of the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority and Energy Advisor to the Governor; and Chris Korleski, Ohio EPA Director, to formally launch their partnership during a press conference at the Vern Riffe Center in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday morning.

"I am proud that we were selected to be part of this Clean Fuels Ohio partnership," said Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman. "This effort helps to advance my Get Green Columbus initiative and specifically helps us fulfill our Green Fleet Action Plan. We will use these ARRA funds to construct a CNG fueling station and purchase eleven alternative fuel vehicles-both hybrid and CNG technologies."

"The Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services is excited. Our fleet will now be composed of over 55% hybrid vehicles thanks to Clean Fuels Ohio's Advanced Transportation Partnership," said its Director Cory Chadwick.

According to the DOE, deployment of these 280 vehicles will displace an average of 875,927 gallons of petroleum fuel per year, with most fleets expecting vehicles to perform a minimum of 10 years service.

This reduction in petroleum fuel directly relates to major reductions in harmful transportation emissions such as carbon dioxide, volatile organic carbons, nitrous oxide, particulate matter, and others. Examples of compressed natural gas, propane, and electric vehicles were displayed on High Street between the Ohio Statehouse and the Vern Riffe Center.

"This investment will allow us to transition our fleet of parking shuttles at Port Columbus to a more efficient and clean operation using propane. We are providing a more sustainable choice for our customers - a win for us, for them, and for the environment," said Paul Kennedy of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority.

Christian H. Pedersen of Findlay-based Kirk Energy Group highlights the role alternative fuels play in moving our country toward energy independence.

"Kirk Energy is excited to undertake Ohio's largest compressed natural gas development initiative with the help of this grant. Our projects, along with others being undertaken by our public and private sector grant partners, begin the important work of reducing this nation's dependence on foreign oil through investment in clean, alternative fuel sources" he said.

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