(Sacramento, CA) – Assembly Member Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) introduced AB 236, which seeks to improve the efficiency of state and local government vehicle fleets, and reduce their environmental impact, through greater use of alternative fuels.
“There is a tremendous amount of momentum right now, both at the state level and nationally, to reduce our petroleum dependence and increase the use of alternative fuels,” said Assemblymember Lieu. “One important area where alternative fuel use is greatly underutilized, and where we can focus our efforts, is on the state and local fleets.”
Under federal law, 75% of state fleet purchases must be capable of running on alternative fuels, including ethanol and natural gas. However, there is no requirement for these vehicles to actually run on alternative fuels, and the vast majority simply run on gasoline.
Under the provisions of AB 236, each state department that has alternative fuel vehicles in its fleet will be required to use the respective alternative fuel in those vehicles to the maximum extent possible. The state would also be required to document the number of alternative fuel vehicles in the vehicle fleet that use the respective alternative fuel and the number that use petroleum.
AB 236 also focuses on local government and special district fleets by requiring that in their vehicle purchasing planning, local governments consider fuel economy and consider requiring that 75% of its vehicles are energy-efficient vehicles.
“These are important changes necessary to achieve a more efficient fleet, one using less petroleum and more alternative fuel,” said Assemblymember Lieu.
AB 236 will be heard in a policy committee in March or April of this year.
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