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House Bill 4137 will increase the number of fleet vehicles that
can run on environmentally friendly fuels so that Illinois
government will continue to serve as a national model for "green"
fleet operations. The bill also encourages state agencies to
purchase fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles. "This bill will help
further the progress we've made in recent years in building one of
the largest green fleets in the nation. By using biofuels to fuel
state cars and trucks, we're helping the environment and supporting
our farmers," said Gov. Blagojevich.
To increase the number of large vehicles on Illinois roads
powered by biofuels, this bill also allows consumers to purchase
large alternative fuel vehicles out of state, if not available
in-state, and be able to qualify for a rebate program administered
by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The rebate program
offers up to $4,000 per vehicle to convert a conventional vehicle to
a vehicle using alternative fuels, such as natural gas or propane.
Current law requires that vehicles over 8,500 pounds must be
purchased in Illinois to be eligible. Details on this rebate program
can be found at
www.illinoisgreenfleets.org.
In recent years, both the availability of biofuels and vehicles
that operate on biofuels has risen markedly, as new ethanol and
biodiesel plants begin production and auto manufacturers produce
additional models of cars and trucks that operate on these
environmentally-friendly fuels. The state will purchase E-85 flex
fueled or biodiesel compatible vehicles and hybrids whenever they
are available to fit the business use; only certain exemptions will
be granted for special agency needs.
"Renewable fuels help reduce our dependence on foreign oil while
decreasing the pollutants in our air," said Lt. Governor Pat Quinn,
chairman of the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council and
the Biofuels Working Group. "I salute Rep. Mike Boland and Sen.
Deanna Demuzio for helping the State of Illinois take the lead in
promoting vehicles that run on All-American fuels derived from
homegrown crops."
"The state's fleet is the perfect incubator for fostering our
state's biofuels market, and I appreciate Governor Blagojevich's
efforts to build a fleet that increasingly runs on E-85 and
biodiesel. This bill will continue to spur markets for Illinois corn
and soybean farmers as demand for these fuels continue to increase,"
said State Rep. Mike Boland (D-Moline).
"Agriculture and biofuels are important components of our state's
economy, and it's fortunate when you can reach unanimous consensus
in the General Assembly and have a governor who will sign
legislation that will positively impact both. It's just common sense
that state government be a leader in purchasing Flexible Fuel
Vehicles and thereby purchasing E-85, so we can continue to support
this growing industry," said State Sen. Deanna Demuzio
(D-Carlinville).
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 HB 4137 is intended to further increase environmental performance
of the state fleet; in recent years, the state's fleet managers have
purchased FFVs "whenever possible" as a result of Governor
Blagojevich's Executive Order 7 (2004). Last September, Gov.
Blagojevich announced that the state's fleet had used an
unprecedented 1 million gallons of biofuels. Between April 2005,
when the state started tracking use of renewable fuels, and August
2006:
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State agencies
used 122,441 gallons of E-85, with a monthly average of more
than 8,100 gallons.
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State agencies
used 906,341 gallons of biodiesel fuel, or more than 60,000
gallons per month.
Since the Executive Order was signed, state government has
prioritized the purchase of FFVs:
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More than 400 of
the 700 passenger vehicles state agencies purchased in FY06 were
FFVs.
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As a result, 1,944
vehicles – a full 16 percent of the State's 12,100-vehicle fleet
– can now run on E-85.
The Governor's action helped spur new consumer markets for the
fuels as exhibited by the rapid spread of E-85 fueling stations
across the state. When the Executive Order was signed, there were 25
stations; today [Jan. 12] there are more than 140. A statewide
listing of stations offering E-85 is available at
www.illinoisgreenfleets.org.
"By signing this bill, Governor Blagojevich continues to make
Illinois a national leader in demonstrating the flex-fuel vehicles
available today [Jan. 12] can meet the state's fleet needs while
helping the environment and our agricultural economy. By buying
state vehicles that can run with energy made from corn and soybeans,
we're creating new markets for renewable fuels and giving private
fleet operators an example to follow," said Central Management
Services Director Paul Campbell.
The Illinois Department of Central Management Services purchases
both vehicles and fuel for Illinois government agencies. In addition
to purchasing more flex-fuel vehicles, state agencies will soon
acquire hybrid vehicles, which use an average of 45 percent less
fuel than traditional models.
Illinois' government is a national leader for its fleet efforts:
in 2006 the state ranked 14th in Ford Motor Company's "Top 100
Alternative-Fuel Fleets" among both the public and private sectors.
Illinois was also the winner of the 2005 National Conference of
State Fleet Administrators, Honda Environmental Leadership Award for
the promotion and development of biofuels in fleet.
Last August, Gov. Blagojevich unveiled a comprehensive long-term
energy plan to replace Illinois' dependence on foreign oil with
homegrown alternatives. The plan will help free consumers from the
grip of foreign oil and gas interests by giving drivers and
homeowners alternatives to the high cost of gasoline. The plan will
stabilize energy prices, give Illinois farmers new markets for their
crops, and create 30,000 new jobs. The Governor's plan sets a goal
of meeting 50 percent of the state's transportation fuel needs with
homegrown fuels by 2017. Illinois would be the first state in the
nation to reach this level of energy independence; the legislation
the Governor signed today [Jan. 12] will help further this goal.
[News release from the governor's office] |
