by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Managers of fleets have two primary choices with rising gas prices: Pay the price or cut back services.
There’s a third option gaining ground.
Since late 2009, the North Florida Clean Cities Coalition has been bringing together alternative fuel operators and local business and fleet management officials to discuss partnerships.
“Until a few years ago, you didn’t hear about things like sustainability and alternative fuels,” said Marci Larson, North Florida Transportation Planning Organization public affairs manager.
“Now, companies have that as part of their business model,” she said.
Formed nationally in 1993 by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Clean Cities effort is designed to reduce petroleum usage and to advance alternative fuels and vehicles, promote idle reduction technology and improve fuel economy measures through its voluntary and community programs.
The North Florida TPO serves as the umbrella agency for the local Clean Cities efforts.
Clean Cities provides the tools and resources for discussion of the nine different recognized alternative fuels, including electric, natural gas and biodiesel.
Larson said a frequent question is where to find them and how to use them.
And the answer?
They’re not widely available, at least not yet.
They could be with enough interest and capital.
Finding funds to make the fuels available and convert fleets of vehicles to use them is a goal for the local Clean Cities group.
It continues to look for grants and information about federal tax incentives.
“We’re always keeping our eyes open,” said Wanda Forrest, North Florida TPO transportation planning manager and a North Florida Clean Cities board member.
Unleaded gas prices in Jacksonville average $3.755 a gallon today, according to www.jacksonvillegasprices.com, up from $3.52 a month ago and $2.812 a year ago.
Forrest said she’s pleased with the increased turnout of people attending the monthly meetings.
Larson said the biggest challenge has been interesting fleet operators in alternative fuels.
Those already participating in the monthly educational meetings at the North Florida TPO office include the City, JEA, Jacksonville Aviation Authority, Jacksonville Port Authority and the Navy.
“It’s a challenge,” said Larson about sparking interest among more companies and municipalities.
“Companies want to see the value of being a partner and what their ROI (return on investment) will be,” she said.
Each month, different alternative fuel company representatives present information and discuss the merits and costs of their resources.
It’s up to business and industry officials to decide what works best for them, said Larson.
The group is seeking an official designation from the U.S. Department of Energy as a Clean Cities Coalition, a lengthy process.
A designation would better recognize the group as an entity that can obtain federal funds for alternative fuel projects.
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Clean Cities programs were awarded $300 million. Florida, which has two established organizations in Cocoa for the Space Coast and in Hollywood for the Gold Coast, received no funds.
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