2007 Press Release: City Purchases Environmentally Friendly Vehicles
For immediate release
August 23, 2007
The City of Des Plaines is pleased to announce the purchase of
two environmentally friendly hybrid automobiles to replace
conventional gasoline engine vehicles. Hybrid vehicles use a
combination of gasoline and electric motors to increase fuel economy
and reduce exhaust emissions. City staff will use these vehicles
while conducting City business.
City Officials feel that purchasing a gasoline/electric hybrid
vehicle is not only good for the environment, but that government
should take a lead role in supporting alternative energy vehicles.
The City is planning on expanding its fleet of hybrids in 2008 with
the purchase of additional hybrid vehicles to replace other old
vehicles in the City’s fleet.
Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Walsten, who is chairman of an ad-hoc
environmental committee formed by Mayor Tony Arredia, has been
spearheading efforts to increase city participation in
environmentally friendly initiatives.
Other environmentally friendly efforts by the City include:
Using Biodiesel fuel. All diesel vehicles in the City’s fleet
such as fire trucks, dump trucks, and various vehicles in the
police and emergency management departments have been using
biodiesel as a fuel. Biodiesel is a blend of conventional
petroleum-based diesel fuel, and a biofuel such as vegetable oil.
Promoting the use of, and possibly offering for sale at a
reduced rate, compact fluorescent lamps "CFL" as an alternative to
conventional incandescent bulbs. A CFL can save over
$30 in electricity costs over the lamp’s lifetime compared to an
incandescent lamp, and save 2000 times their own weight in
greenhouse gases.
Promoting other "green" initiatives such as environmentally
friendly building design using LEED standards, and promoting use
of environmentally friendly construction materials. The Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating
System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC),
provides a set of standards for environmentally sustainable
construction.
The City is a member of Clean Air Counts, a northeastern
Illinois regional initiative to reduce ozone-causing emissions,
thereby improving air quality and enabling economic development.
It is a collaborative effort between the Metropolitan Mayors
Caucus, City of Chicago, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5, and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. This
multi-year initiative seeks to achieve specific and significant
reductions in targeted smog-forming pollutants and major
reductions in energy consumption.
Public Works provides a recycling program for used tires,
automotive batteries, household batteries, and fluorescent lamps.
Staff is exploring expansion of the program to include other items
such as computers that would ordinarily end up in landfills.
City officials and staff will continue to explore environmentally
friendly initiatives, and take a lead role in promoting use of
"green" design and products. For more information call 847-391-5464.
Des Plaines City officials recently unveiled two newly purchased
environmentally friendly hybrid automobiles to replace conventional
gasoline engine vehicles. Hybrid vehicles use a combination of
gasoline and electric motors to increase fuel economy and reduce
exhaust emissions. City staff will use these vehicles while
conducting City business. City Officials feel that purchasing a
gasoline/electric hybrid vehicle is not only good for the
environment, but that government should take a lead role in
supporting alternative energy vehicles. The City is planning on
expanding its fleet of hybrids in 2008 with the purchase of
additional hybrid vehicles to replace other old vehicles in the
City’s fleet. (pictured above left to right) Alderman Jean Higgason,
4th Ward; Alderman Rosemary Argus, 8th Ward; Alderman Mark Walsten,
6th Ward; Alderman Patricia Beauvais, 1st Ward; (behind the wheel of
the new vehicle) Director of Public Works Matt Dusckett; Mayor Tony
Arredia; and Alderman Marty Moylan, 2nd Ward; pose for a photograph
with the newly purchased vehicles.
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City of Des Plaines
1420 Miner St.
Des Plaines, IL 60016
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