
				Pat Quinn, Governor

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Environmental Progress - Summer 1999

$2 Million Grant for Alternate Fuel Facilities

Sites will make it easier to refuel fleets with ethanol, natural gas or propane

To spur use of cleaner-burning vehicle fuels, the city of Chicago, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and the Chicago Clean Cities Coalition have been awarded $2 million in federal grant monies to install refueling facilities for alternate fuels such as ethanol, natural gas, and propane.

The Chicago ozone non-attainment area receives federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding for projects and programs that will help reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality within the transportation sector. A review committee consisting of state and local officials accepts and reviews proposals for funding.

Use of alternative fuels is being encouraged by a $2 million grant to the Chicago area.

The Chicago area is subject to the Clean Fuel Fleet Program (CFFP), administered by the Illinois EPA's Bureau of Air. This program requires fleets of 10 or more vehicles to implement use of lower emitting vehicles. Many local governments in northeastern Illinois will acquire cleaner, alternative fuel vehicles for their CFFP compliance. While Ford, Chrysler and General Motors make several types of vehicles that operate with these cleaner fuels, there is a lack of infrastructure for these fuels.

With the $2 million award, several fueling sites can be put in place which will promote greater use by larger numbers of cleaner vehicles. In addition, the Department of Energy's alternative fuel fleet program begins in 2001 for many fleets throughout the Chicago area. Several local governments will have their vehicles and fuel sites up and running prior to the start of the DOE program. Many fleets have committed to acquiring cleaner vehicles, if the fuel was available for them to use.