April 18, 2011 — Harrisonburg, Va. — The Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program has launched a new website to increase awareness of the benefits of propane autogas and to provide fleets with information about how to get up and running on this clean alternative fuel. Autogas is domestically produced, clean-burning, and costs about a dollar less per gallon than gasoline.

“We are excited to launch this website, which not only highlights our fleet partners and successes, but also serves as a resource for fleet owners and managers who are looking for unbiased information about propane autogas vehicles and fueling,” says Chelsea Jenkins, director of Virginia Clean Cities, which is administering the Program. “Autogas reduces greenhouse gas emissions and is domestically produced, so autogas fleets can feel good about their fuel choice while reducing their operating and fuel costs.”

Funded by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act and the U.S. Department of Energy′s Clean Cities, the Program is bringing this internationally popular fuel technology to Southeastern U.S. fleets to reduce our dependence on imported oil, lower vehicle emissions and create American jobs. Propane autogas is the third most commonly used vehicle fuel globally — after gasoline and diesel — but less than 2 percent of the world′s 15 million autogas vehicles are in the U.S.

The Program will deploy more than 1,000 propane autogas vehicles from public and private fleets, as well as implement more than 25 propane autogas fueling stations across the Southeast. The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, along with Virginia Clean Cities, are administering the program.

“With gasoline prices on a steady rise, there has never been a better time for fleets to learn the bottom-line benefits of clean fuel alternatives like autogas,” says Jenkins. “We encourage private businesses and government organizations with vehicle fleets to explore the new site and find out what autogas can do for their fleets.”

Top website features include:

• Propane autogas for Fleets: Find out how to switch your fleet from gasoline to autogas
• Fuel Savings Calculator: Learn how much your fleet could save with autogas
• Fueling Station Information: Learn about putting an autogas station at your fleet base
• News & Media: Stay up to date with press releases, videos and news featuring Program fleets

Skip Baker, president of Baker Equipment, a program partner and host of the event says, “Baker Equipment has a long-standing history as a leader in the integration of alternative fuel vehicle technology. Each car converted under this program represents job creation and a step toward energy independence, and we are pleased to participate in this project.”

Alliance AutoGas, a national clean fuel coalition founded by Blossman Gas and American Alternative Fuel, will coordinate the vehicle conversions and fueling. Alliance AutoGas President Stuart Weidie says, “It is exciting to be a part of such a significant project that will begin to redefine fueling in the Southeast. Propane Autogas is a clean alternative fuel with a strong network of fueling stations in the U.S., and it is available right now to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”

“We are looking to forward to completing all the vehicle conversions in the next six months,” says Matt Sgambeterra, president of American Alternative Fuel. “Although this is an ambitious timeframe, we′re eager to get these propane Autogas vehicles on the road and start tracking the success of the project.”

About The Program
The Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program is comprised of public and private partnerships throughout nine states in the Southeast U.S. and Washington, DC. Over its four-year span, the program will put more than 1,000 clean autogas vehicles on the road and implement more than 25 autogas fueling stations. Supported by funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the U.S. Department of Energy′s Clean Cities Program, it is managed and administered by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and VCC at James Madison University. To learn more, visit www.usepropaneautogas.com or email info@usepropaneautogas.com.