Add to favorites Examiner Bio New Texas law requires state agency vehicles to use alternative fuel
August 24, 12:57 PMDallas Environmental Policy ExaminerCaroline CalaisPrevious 2 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe Subscribe



Gov. Rick Perry ceremonially signed HB 432 in Dallas last week.
(Photo: courtesy of the Office of the Governor Rick Perry)A new Texas law taking effect on September 1, requires state agencies to run 50 percent of their vehicles on alternative fuels 80 percent of the time, and to increase the percentage of newly purchased low-emission state vehicles from 10 to 25 percent. The state fleet is currently comprised of about 27,000 vehicles distributed among 95 agencies.


“House Bill 432 addresses the fact that our state is a leader in the research and production of alternative fuels, but we lack the infrastructure to get drivers who would use it to fuel their vehicles”, Governor Perry said at a ceremonial bill signing in Dallas last week. “Since our state already spends money on a fleet, this bill requires it to include vehicles that use alternative fuel. That will drive the creation of a basic distribution infrastructure and take advantage of the fuels we produce in Texas, including natural gas coming from the Barnett Shale”.


The strategy is similar to the one announced by AT&T. The Dallas based company stated earlier this year that it will work with natural gas service providers to build up to 40 new compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations, start retiring its fleet of gasoline-powered vehicles and invest up to $565 million in alternative fuel vehicles.


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