Domestic Fuel

Although the California Air Resources Board (CARB), appears to be anti-corn-based ethanol (the EPA has just determined that corn ethanol has a greenhouse emission reduction value of 21 percent as compared to conventional gasoline) they have just given support to another alternative fuel – propane. ROUSH has just announced that CARB has granted certification approval for their propane-powered Ford F-250 and F-350 pickups. Now that the fuel meets the strict emission standards of the sate of California, the vehicle will be able to be sold and operated in all 50 states.

Todd Mouw, director of sales & marketing for ROUSH Propane Vehicles noted, “We have made a significant investment in our liquid-propane injection technology, and we look forward to helping fleet operators across the country reduce their carbon footprint and operating costs with our propane-powered vehicles. We have more than two hundred 2010 Ford F-250s and F-350s in our inventory, so we have plenty of trucks available to meet customer demand.”

With CARB’s approval, ROUSH is now allowed to sell their 2010 Ford F-250 and F-350 models with the 5.4L V8 engine. The company is also working towards receving the same certification for the upcoming 2011 propane-powered Ford E-150, E-250, E-350 passenger and cargo vans that will launch in the 2nd quarter of this year. In addition, ROUSH has plans to convert the Ford E-450 cutaway with the 6.8L V10 engine as well.

CleanFUEL USA announced today during a propane education and ride and drive event its partnership with Ferrellgas Partners L.P. to install propane fueling stations across the U.S. Part of the Clean Start initiative, the Department of Energy (DOE) awarded CleanFUEL USA $12.9 million to construct the nation’s first and largest propane refueling network. Ferrellgas will support the station rollouts in 11 cities as the designated fuel partner.

The first station will be located in Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW) and construction is expected to begin in the 3rd quarter of 2010. Following the first station in DFW, the companies have plans to build propane refueling stations in Austin, Baton Rouge, Chicago, Indianapolis, Lake Charles, New Orleans, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio and St. Louis. Ferrellgas will take the lead in identifying locations, securing permits, training employees, providing fuel and ongoing maintenance.

“DFW is the fourth largest metro area in the country, and includes many school districts, municipal entities and private businesses operating fleet vehicles with propane,” said Tony Dale, Ferrellgas National Director of Engine Fuels and Autogas.  “Propane is the most widely used fuel after gasoline and diesel.  Now CleanFUEL USA and Ferrellgas are making propane even more accessible to fleets and private users. This national fueling infrastructure project greatly enhances propane’s reputation as the ‘right now’ cleaner-burning and more economical alternative fuel.”

Today, propane is most commonly used for home heating but has become the third largest fuel used worldwide with its gaining marketshare for fleets. According to CleanFUEL USA, propane yields 87 percent less hydrocarbons and 50 percent fewer toxins than gasoline, and costs approximately 40-50 percent less per gallon than gasoline and diesel.

Pamela Burns, Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Co-Coordinator said of the partnership, “As a Clean Start project partner, we’re excited to work with CleanFUEL USA and Ferrellgas in their efforts in reaching this goal by expanding the use of propane engine fuel.”

Some students in Minnesota will soon be breathing easier on their way to school … no, not because they won’t be hit up with that big algebra test. A school in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area is testing propane in one of its buses.

The Star-Tribune reports that Eastern Carver County school drivers have been testing the propane bus to see if can hold up to that “special kind of cold” that only a Minnesota winter can bring:

Should it pass the test, starting up every morning and running well all day, district leaders say they’ll likely make the switch this spring with most of their buses when their new busing contract goes out to bid.

Other Minnesota school districts eagerly waiting to try out the new bus include Minneapolis, Bloomington, Waconia and Pequot Lakes.

Propane is already being used in school districts in California and Texas, but, of course, they don’t have the kind of weather Minnesota basks in during the winter. Now, some bus drivers in the land of 10,000 lakes remember trying to use propane in the winter back during the 1970s and ’80s and the trouble with stalling during the cold. But these new propane-fueled buses seem to have those cold weather blues licked.

Plus, with the cheaper cost for propane … it runs just between $1.50 and $1.75 a gallon – much less than diesel’s $2.85 a gallon – plus a federal tax refund is available for propane … you can see why the schools are testing the clean-burning fuel to further offset the cost of the fuel purchase. No need to test your algebra skills too hard to see that it adds up to savings for schools and easier breathing for students (especially if it’s test day).

Blue Star Gas has announced that it has joined Alliance AutoGas to to work with public and private fleets on the West Coast to covert vehicles to run on propane. According to Alliance AutoGas, there are more than 14.6 million propane-powered vehicles globally making it the most widely used alternative fuel in the world.

Stuart Weidie, President of Alliance AutoGas said, “We are excited to add Blue Star Gas to our growing, nationwide network of partners, all of whom share our core values and passion for revolutionizing the accessibility of alternative fuels.”

Blue Star Gas is a propane distributor in Oregon and California and will work with Alliance AutoGas to provide an integrated chain of vehicle conversions, clean fueling stations at fleet home bases, year-round fuel supply and safety & technical support.

“We have always dedicated ourselves to growth driven by customer needs, and as the demand for alternative fuels accelerates daily, the Alliance AutoGas turn-key solution helps us honor that commitment,” said Jeff Stewart, President of Blue Star Gas. “In partnering with Alliance AutoGas, we are offering the next generation of ‘full service’ by equipping fleets throughout the Northwest to cut fuel costs and emissions, all while using a fuel that’s 90% produced in the U.S.”

According to the two companies, ideal candidates for propane conversion are taxis, law enforcement and municipal vehicles, limousines, utility company vehicles and more.

ROUSH is expanding its line of propane fueled vehicles with the addition of a line of E-Series vans. ROUSH will offer fuel conversion solutions for both passenger and cargo van applications. The company selected the E-Series because, “Ford has long held a leadership role in the van segment for more than 30 years and fleet managers are familiar with the ordering process, cost of ownership, and maintenance schedules.” To date, ROUSH offers propane fueled trucks, including F-150, F-250 and the F350. Production on these vehicles is expected to begin in first quarter 2010.

“The response from the fleets to our line of F-150, F-250 and F-350 propane pickups and conversion kits has been outstanding, and their feedback inspired us to develop the complete line of E-Series vans,” said Jack Roush. “Many of the fleet managers we have spoken with utilize a tremendous number of vans in the course of their daily business and were looking for the type of cost and environmental advantages that propane offers as a motor fuel. Their desire is what motivated ROUSH to continue to add to our line of propane vehicles.”

According to the company, the ROUSH propane-fueled E-Series vans will achieve Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) II emission standards, and on average, a SULEV vehicle is 90 percent cleaner in emissions than the average new model year car or truck. The ROUSH conversion system works on the Ford 5.4L, V-8 engine found in 2009 and newer vans, including the gaseous prep engine offered by the Ford. In addition to emission benefits, various studies demonstrate operational savings for fleets when they convert to propane.

ROUSH is also working on developing a propane kit for the Ford 6.8L, V-10 engine used on the E-450 Cutaway vehicle. This is scheduled to be available in late 2010.

Gloucester County Virginia recently unveiled the states first propane school bus fleet during an event attended by the state’s Department of Environmental Quality, Congressman Robert Wittman and Delegate Harvey Morgan. Five diesel school buses were replaced with propane power during an event at Page Middle School in Gloucester County designed to celebrates the school district’s commitment to environmental sustainability, energy independence and economic security.

Roger Kelly, Director of Transportation for Gloucester County Public Schools said during the ceremony, “Using propane-powered school buses is a step in the right direction to significantly decrease vehicle emissions and improve the air quality for our students. We are excited to be involved in this clean school bus initiative.”

The decision to switch to propane over other alternative fuels was due to several benefits including the estimation that the school will save $1.50 per gallon in fuel costs, propane reduces greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 18 percent, the flammability range of the fuel is lower than other alternative fuels, and the majority of propane is produced domestically.

A $221,355 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act $221,355 funded a portion of the project, the EPA’s National Clean Diesel Program funded another portion and the Gloucester County Public Schools funded the remaining amount.

If you’ve followed some of the motorsports coverage on DomesticFuel over the past few years, then you’ve probably read about Roush. Today, Roush announced that it is going to introduce a new concept into drag racing: a propane fueled Mustang. The Mustang, and its twin, will be ready to compete for the NMRA championship next season.

The cars are the result of the work Roush has been doing with propane in gasoline Ford pickups and vans. Jack Roush, the founder of the company that bears his name, cites several benefits in using propane as a “right here, right now” alternative fuel. First, propane, Roush says, is the third most popular motor fuel behind gasoline and diesel and there are currently more than 12 million propane-fueled vehicles on the roads around the world. (There are approximately 8 million flex-fuel vehicles on American roads today that can use up to E85).

When Roush was asked, why propane, he responded by saying, “It’s as American as NASCAR. More than 90 percent of the propane used in the United States is produced in North America, much of it from the U.S. natural gas supply. Propane has so many positive aspects and it is finally getting the recognition it deserves as an alternative fuel. Propane can help to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. Propane can help to clean up our environment. And propane can help to create new ‘Green Collar Jobs’ for displaced auto workers who can return to the lines to build alternative fuel vehicles.”

Propane has an advantage in high-performance applications such as drag racing due to its octane rating of 106. Both cars will use an all-aluminum 5.4L, V-8 Ford engine. The first propane fueled Mustang will be driven by Donnie Bowles and is slated to be tested in Mid-November. Roush’s daughter, Susan Roush-McClenaghan, will drive the second Mustang set to begin testing in February 2010. Until next season, the cars can be seen during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas November 3-5, 2009.

Drivers now can take a popular tool on the road thanks to the staff at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The Mobile Alternative Fueling Station Locator (MAFSL) helps on-the-go drivers find the five closest biodiesel, electricity, E85 (ethanol), hydrogen, natural gas, and propane fueling sites using any mobile device with Internet access.

Before launching the device, NREL said that their Alternative Fueling Station Locator was among the top five applications used on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC) website. The station locator was developed by NREL which manages AFDC.

The mobile station locator works through well-known, easy to use applications such as Google Maps, which generates maps to fueling sites. In addition to the location, the locator will also give the user the contact information, including phone number and business hours for the station.

NREL says that it is taking some changes into consideration due to consumer feedback. In the past, private fueling stations were not included but they have been added. In addition, they are considering adding automatic location detetection using GPS installed in the device, a special applicaton for the iPhone and creating a similar application for truck stop electrification sites. In addition, the database will be updated continously.

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) launched a new campaign today to promote the ways propane can help cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, lower energy costs, and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil. In fact, greenhouse gas emissions can be cut immediately, says PERC by using more propane and expanding its uses.

Roy Willis, president and CEO of PERC said, “Significant and swift progress toward environmental goals is within reach. The key is to more fully embrace the clean alternative energies, like wind, solar, natural gas, ethanol, and propane, that are already used across the country.”

Propane which is most commonly used for home and water heating in rural areas, is a low-carbon alternative fuel that emits significantly lower amounts of greenhouse gases and smog-producing hydrocarbons than conventional fuels emit. PERC says that its environment-friendly profile also makes it extremely appealing to people looking for clean energy options for transportation, commercial and agricultural uses. And according to the organization, propane also boasts the most robust nationwide infrastructure of any alternative fuel, meaning it is immediately ready for expansion beyond rural households.

Major supporters of propane include T. Boone Pickens who highlighted propane as an important part of the Pickens Plan, citing propane’s environmentally friendly profile and ample production in the United States. In partnership with Pickens, PERC will be rolling out a national advertising and public relations campaign that will extend through the end of 2009.

I will be spending a week driving an F-150 that has been converted to run on propane by Roush Manufacturing. You will be able to follow my trip via my video journal beginning August 16th on www.Gas2.org as well as here on DomesticFuel.

Billionaire oilman and energy activist T. Boone Pickens says propane is an important part of the “Pickens Plan”, citing propane’s environmentally friendly profile and ample production in the United States. Pickens made that announcement at a recent propane industry event in Washington with the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).

“America has the opportunity today to reduce its dependence on foreign oil while protecting the environment by making the most of domestic energy sources,” said Pickens. “Propane is clean, it’s American-made, and it can be put to work right now.”

Ninety-seven percent of propane used in the United States is produced in North America, with much of it coming from the processing of natural gas originating in the United States. “As more American natural gas reserves are tapped, propane production becomes even more domestic,” said Pickens.

Introduced in July 2008 by Pickens, the Pickens Plan is a comprehensive approach to ending America’s growing dependence on foreign oil while reducing the environmental impact of foreign oil, gasoline and diesel. The environmental benefits of gaseous fuels, including propane and natural gas, was another factor in Pickens’ decision to highlight propane as part of his plan.