May 26, 2011

 Washington, D.C.–Nevada Senator Harry Reid today applauded the news that President Obama will require all new Federal vehicle purchases to be clean, alternative-fueled vehicles by 2015.  In a January letter, Reid encouraged the President to seek energy-efficient alternatives for new vehicles that will reduce the country’s consumption of oil. 

“I’m pleased with the goals President Obama has set forth to ensure that the government leads by example in reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil,” Reid said.  “By relying on alternative domestic sources like natural gas to power the Federal vehicle fleet, we’ll strengthen our economy and save taxpayers money.  These new goals complement the other important actions the Administration has already taken to reduce oil consumption, reduce pollution and enhance our energy security.”

In the letter, Reid called on the President to “significantly accelerate the procurement of natural gas vehicles for the Federal fleet.”  Additionally, Reid said “we have growing, enormous proved resources of domestic natural gas that can be instrumental in improving our national security and reducing the flow of Americans’ payments to unfriendly foreign sources of oil.”

Specifically, the new procurement goals require that:

• 100 percent of all new passenger vehicles and light‐duty trucks purchased by Federal agencies be alternative fuel by 2015;

• A methodology be developed for agencies to determine their agency’s appropriate fleet size and provide agencies with recommendations for improving fleet performance; and

• Federal agencies establish a goal for the size and composition of the federal fleet and a plan to achieve this target by 2015.

In conjunction with the Presidential Memorandum outlining the new requirements, an Electric Vehicle Pilot Program was launched that will put 116 electric plug-in vehicles on the road around the country right away.  The program is expected to annually save almost 29,000 gallons of gas, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 257 metric tons and save taxpayers almost $116,000 in fuel costs.

A copy of Senator Reid’s January letter to President Obama is attached.

###