Will city and private fleets have to use alternative fuels?Will alternative fuels be coming soon to a vehicle fleet near you? The U.S. Department of Energy wants state legislators to help make a decision that could increase the use of alternative fuel vehicles Alternative fuel vehicle Conventional fuels such as gasoline and diesel are gradually being replaced by alternative fuels such as gaseous fuels (natural gas and propane), alcohol (methanol and ethanol), and hydrogen. in their states and boost the market for the fuel. Such a requirement has the potential to clean up the air, but it also requires major investments. DOE wants lawmakers and citizens to comment on whether municipal and private fleets should be required - under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT) - to buy alternative fuel vehicles. EPACT defines alternative fuels as methanol methanol, methyl alcohol, or wood alcohol, CH3OH, a colorless, flammable liquid that is miscible with water in all proportions. Methanol is a monohydric alcohol. It melts at −97. , ethanol, natural gas, propane propane, CH3CH2CH3, colorless, gaseous alkane. It is readily liquefied by compression and cooling. It melts at −189.9°C; and boils at −42.2°C;. , hydrogen, coal-derived liquid fuels, fuels derived from biological materials and electricity. EPACT was passed in the wake of the 1991 Persian Gulf War Persian Gulf War or Gulf War (1990–91) International conflict triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990. Though justified by Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein on grounds that Kuwait was historically part of Iraq, the invasion was presumed to be to conserve as well as increase the portion of energy supplied domestically. It was designed, in part, to replace imported petroleum with domestic sources. The goal is to replace. 10 percent of the gasoline gasoline or petrol, light, volatile mixture of hydrocarbons for use in the internal-combustion engine and as an organic solvent, obtained primarily by fractional distillation and "cracking" of petroleum, but also obtained from natural gas, by used by the year 2000 and 30 percent by 2010 with alternative fuels. The federal government started to use alternative fuel vehicles in its fleets with the model year 1993. Their use is to increase annually until 2001 when 75 percent will operate without gasoline. The requirement for fleets run by state governments and utility businesses started in model year 1997. In 2001 their participation caps at 75 percent and 90 percent, respectively. The next step is to decide if municipal and private fleets should be included in the requirements. Such a program would affect those who operate at least 50 light-duty vehicles and fleets of at least 20 light-duty vehicles that are centrally fueled or capable of being centrally fueled within a metropolitan area of 250,000 or more. Before issuing a final rule, the energy secretary must make sure the program is necessary and practical and that the fuels and vehicles will be ready. If they are included, municipal and private fleets could be required to purchase alternative fuel vehicles beginning in model year 2002. Comments can be sent to the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Transportation Technologies, EE-34, Docket A written list of judicial proceedings set down for trial in a court. To enter the dates of judicial proceedings scheduled for trial in a book kept by a court. No. EE-RM-98-507, 1000 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20585. They may also be submitted at one of three public hearings: Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , May 20; Minneapolis, May 28; and Washington, D.C., June 4. Call DOE's Andi Kasarsky with any questions, (202) 586-9171. |
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