Your PUD

Vehicles and Fuels

·         Reduce the District’s use of fossils fuels and reduce vehicle air pollution considering current regulations and requirements.

o       Accomplishments

§         Fleet Services began testing biodiesel in June, 2007. Biodiesel is considered an alternative fuel to ultra-low sulfur diesel. The District will continue testing the net benefits of biofuels in 2008.

§         Fleet Services has secured $74,000 state DOE grant to retrofit exhaust systems on 42 diesel vehicles over 26,000 pounds, reducing emissions and particulates.

§         In January 2005, the Rocky Reach Visitor Center acquired an electric vehicle. 

§         Demonstrate the concept of solar-powered (electric) vehicles with visits to classrooms/special events by the solar go-cart

o       2008 Accomplishments

§         Established a baseline against which potential fuel savings associated with automated meter reading could be measured.

§         Conducted a fleet evaluation to determine whether an electric or alternative-fueled vehicle could adequately fulfill the duties and requirements of a given petroleum-fueled vehicle.  The evaluation considered how many vehicles are currently available, how much fuel they use annually, and the tasks/duties for which they are utilized. 

§         Determined whether a certain percentage of District fleet vehicles have duty cycles compatible with plug-in hybrid electric or other alternatively fueled vehicles. 

o       2009 Actions

§         Evaluate the total metric tons of greenhouse gases emitted by the operation of District motor vehicles.  This information will help the District determine whether it is subject to reporting requirements that may be considered by the state/region next year. Firm of Ryerson, Masters and Associates, Inc. has been hired by PUD to conduct inventory and provide GHG management plan in May.

§         Investigate means to reduce travel for meetings (internal and external) Expand use of Viper System.

§         Monitor and evaluate plug-in hybrid vehicles.

o       Future Objectives - Example

§         Where practicable, increase use of biodiesel to help reduce dependence on fossil fuels while minimizing the impact on heavy-duty engines and their components. (Question: Are biodiesel and biofuels the best alternatives, considering the impacts on agriculture production?)

§         Reduce fuel usage by instituting idling reduction programs for district vehicles and use automated meter reading to reduce site visits.

§         Explore methods to reduce vehicle miles and/or fuel consumption.

§         Promote employee walk-to-work or car-pools or bus transportation alternatives.