Greening Your Fleet Conference Held at Belterra Resort

The Greening Your Fleet Conference was held on Wednesday June 8^th and Thursday June 9^th at the Belterra Resort in Florence, IN. Eighty attendees heard updates from the natural gas, propane, hybrid electric, electric, biodiesel and ethanol markets. Ride and Drives for various alternative fuels/advanced technology vehicles were held after each conference session.  

One of the founding members of the KCFC,

Bill Calvert shares his expertise of CNG.

KCFC board member and UPS Vice President Bill Jacob shares updates on the company's green initiatives.

Eddie Coleman, KCFC board member 

from Green Fuels Holding looking 

under the hood of the electric ENER1.

Tim Hughes, KCFC board member from KY Dept of Energy looking at the Roush LPG Pick Up.

KCFC President Tracey Thurman getting ready 

to test drive the Chevy Volt with Communications 

Specialist Lindsey Duffy along for the ride.

         

KCFC President Tracey Thurman from Lexington-Fayette County Government and Tim Hughes "thinking" about the LPG van.

Hybrid Electric School Buses Delivered to Bath, Mercer, and Montgomery Counties

Mark Cahill of Bluegrass International 
presents official key to the two hybrid electric 
school buses delivered June 1
to Mercer County Superintendent 
Chuck Hamilton.

Four more hybrid electric school buses were delivered to Bath, Mercer, and Montgomery Counties this past week. Mercer County had two hybrid buses join its fleet of 68 traditional school buses on Wednesday June 1st in Harrodsburg, KY.  

"In Mercer County we not only view the arrival and use of our hybrid buses from an environmental and economic advantage, we see it as an educational commitment to our community by investing in the message we preach on lessening our carbon footprint for the preservation of future generations," says Superintendent Chuck Hamilton.

Mark Cahill of Bluegrass International (left), 
Superintendent Nancy Hutchinson (center) 
and Transportation Director Burnsie Stewart (right)  

celebrate the arrival of their first hybrid electric 
school bus, with Bath County Schools drivers 
and technicians onThursday June 2 in Owingsville.

One hybrid electric school bus was delivered to Bath County schools in Owingsville, KY on Thursday June 2nd. The bus joined Bath County's fleet of 40 traditional school buses.

"Bath County School District is very excited about this innovative green technology which allows us to be a part of the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition.  As the future unfolds Bath County will continue exploring new energy saving resources," says Superintendent Nancy Hutchinson.

 Montgomery County received its first hybrid electric school bus to join its fleet of and Montgomery Counties each received one. The keys to the hybrid buses, produced by the International School Bus Factory, were presented to the Superintendent of each school district by Mark Cahill, Bluegrass International. 

Mark Cahill of Bluegrass International delivers the key to

Montgomery County's first hybrid electric school bus to

Superintendent Daniel Freeman Friday June 3.

"We have been anticipating the hybrid bus' effectiveness in reducing fuel costs and helping to protect the environment, and are excited to evaluate its performance," says Superintendent Daniel Freeman.

Cycle Three Hybrid School Bus Awards Announced

Twenty-five more hybrid school buses have been awarded in the latest round of applications for funding assistance. The Kentucky Department of Education has received approximately $12.98 million in funding for project proposals from school districts to purchase approximately 213 diesel/electric hybrid school buses. Funds from this grant will support a number of school districts as they provide safe transportation while reducing emissions and lowering fuel consumption.

So far 99 buses have been awarded to 34 counties in the first two cycles of the grant's dispersal. Districts receiving buses in the third round are:

Breathitt County - 3
Crittenden County - 1
Kenton County - 3
LaRue County - 2
McCreary County - 1
Pike County - 15

Hybrid Electric School Buses Delivered to Madison County and Williamstown Independent

Four new hybrid electric school buses capable of improving fuel efficiency an average of 35% have joined Madison County’s fleet of 176 traditional school buses. Keys to the new hybrid buses were presented to Superintendent Tommy Floyd by Jeff Niblock of Whayne Supply in Richmond, KY on May 5, 2011.

“We are excited about introducing these hybrid buses into our fleet. We know the value they will add to the current efforts we are making in the area of energy efficiency and conservation district wide,” says Superintendent Floyd.

Williamstown Independent also took a delivery of their first two new hybrid electric school buses.  The buses were delivered on Friday, May 6th.  

Howell Speaks at ACT Expo

KCFC Executive Director Melissa Howell spoke at the Alternative Clean Transportation Expo in Long Beach, CA on Friday May 6.  The sessions at the expo provided the latest information on funding opportunities, regulatory policies, and inside details on new and emerging technologies in North America. The Expo Hall included a wide array of vehicles and technologies, plus a strong presence from OEMs, component manufacturers, station developers, fuel providers, and other important clean technology project stakeholders.  Howell discussed the Hybrid Horsepower for Kentucky Schools program, which is bringing the largest fleet of hybrid electric school buses in the nation to Kentucky school districts.

KCFC Quarterly Meeting at Shaker Village

The quarterly meeting was a success with over thirty of the KCFC’s officers and board members showing their support at Shaker Village on Friday April 29th. After a small presentation about the history of Shaker Village, members were updated on KCFC’s finances by Treasurer Vic Peek, and a general update was given by President Tracey Thurman. A presentation on the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass program was given by Emily Sartini. Executive Director Melissa Howell brought the members up to speed on the Hybrid Horsepower for Kentucky Schools project. Lunch was served after a leisurely walk to the dining hall in pleasant weather.
View photos of the meeting on our Facebook page.

Green Fleets of the Bluegrass Program Launched

Green Fleets of the Bluegrass aims to improve the environmental performance of vehicle fleets across Kentucky by reducing petroleum fuel use.

Fleets with significant green initiatives prior to the May 2011 launch of the program may elect an earlier baseline. Fleets without significant green fleet initiatives prior to program launch may elect May 2011 as baseline. Comparative data will be taken on November 1st of each year beginning this year. Participants will be rated according to a three-tier scale based upon seven criteria: vehicles, fuel, maintenance, operation, partnerships, strategy, and transparency.  

Improving fleets show progress in four of the seven areas. Achieving fleets show progress in all seven areas, and Leading fleets show continuous improvement in all seven areas.

KCFC members that submit baseline data by June 30th, 2011 will receive recommendations for initiatives to potentially improve year end ratings. Fleets may also submit baseline and year end data on November 1, 2011.

Find out more