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Rural Alabama Clean Transportation Project Kickoff
off
a
r
al Alabama Clean T
ansport
tion Pr
Rur
oject Kick
ransportation is one of the biggest budget
items for many organizations and families.
In some cases, transportation expenses can
Tbecome a major barrier to success. Well-estab-
lished and emerging technologies can reduce transpor-
tation costs for businesses, employers, governments,
and individuals. The smart implementation of alterna-
tive transportation fuels, such as Propane, Natural Gas,
E85 Ethanol, Biodiesel, Electricity, and Hydrogen, can
play a major role in helping to reduce transportation
costs even more. These cost savings can make a big
difference in the budget of rural businesses and organi-
zations.
Bill Mayo (Blossman Gas) presenting the Propane Transportation Overview at
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Rural the Rural Alabama Clean Transportation kickoff meeting on October 30th.
Alabama Clean Transportation Project is dedicated to a cost savings analysis. Facts and figures aside, Mayo
developing alternative transportation fuel projects in answered questions from attendees regarding the cost
Alabama’s Black Belt region. In an effort to help Black of transition, bi-fuel options, as well as details on range
Belt communities and organizations explore related and equipment performance.
opportunities, the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition (ACFC)
organized a group of key stakeholders that can assist When discussing clean transportation, its
rural communities with planning and implementing always helpful to have vehicles on hand. As part of the
conversions to cleaner technologies. Project stakehold- event, ACFC made sure to have autogas, electric, and
ers include Alabama Propane Gas Association, Blossman bi-fuel vehicles on site. Tuscaloosa City Schools sent
Gas, Alabama Power, Alabama Rural Electric Association one of their propane school buses to the event along
of Cooperatives, the Office of Congressional Repre- with its driver, Tammy Edwards. Tammy answered ques-
sentative Terri Sewell, the State of Alabama Office of tions, provided insight, and shared her positive experi-
Minority Affairs, and the DOE Communities Local Energy ences from driving a propane school bus.
Action Program (LEAP). The group's goal for the project During the event, several counties inquired
is to help interested organizations identify and pursue about funding opportunities, types of equipment and
opportunities to utilize alternatively fueled vehicles that performance, and infrastructure and transition costs
could save thousands of dollars in operating cost per so they could do a comparative cost analysis to help
vehicle. decide the clean technology that best suited their
On October 30th, ACFC hosted a kickoff meet- needs. This event could not have been held at a better
ing at the Fish Farm Center in Greensboro, Alabama. time as many grants and funding opportunities were
Event participants included city and government lead- recently announced. APGA Executive Director, Laural
ers, School Financial Administrators and Transportation Bunn, shared information about the newly announced
Directors, Private Fleet Owners/Operators, Economic Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding oppor-
Development Officials, Transit and Paratransit Agencies, tunity and offered to serve as a resource for anyone
and businesses and employers from ten rural counties. interested in learning more about autogas as an option
The counties represented at the event were Autauga, for their business or organization. To read more about
Bibb, Conecuh, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, the EPA Funding announcement, see page 25.
Sumter, and Wilcox county. Event speakers included APGA will continue to serve as a stakeholder in
Casey Foster (ACFC), Bill Mayo (Blossman Gas), Alabama ACFC projects such as this, and to serve as a resource
Power, Cedric Roberts (City of Birmingham), and John for those who are interested in learning about auto-
Gonzales (National Renewable Energy Labratory). Bill gas, autogas vehicles, bi-fuel conversions, or available
Mayo provided the Propane Transportation Overview, funding opportunities that can help with the transition
which included information about autogas vehicles and to autogas.■

24 Alabama Propane Gas Association | November / December 2024