The City of Santa Ana was awarded two Clean Transportation Funding grants: one in the amount of $262,500 to help finance three alternative fuel infrastructure-related projects, and another award of $265,000 for vehicle purchases and retrofits. The funding was made possible by the MSRC’s Local Government Match Program, which offers incentives to cities and counties that undertake projects to reduce emissions from mobile sources.
Santa Ana’s Facilities, Fleet Management & Central Stores division has aggressively pursued grant funding to assist in the greening of the operation. These efforts have been rewarded with funding for alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure, in addition to emission control devices and numerous awards, including being named #10 in Government Fleet Magazine’s the Top 100 Best Fleets in North America and named #11 as the Greenest Fleet in Northern America.
The three infrastructure projects include the development of new on-site refueling for propane vehicles, site improvements for the refueling of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, and modifications to an existing maintenance facility to better accommodate the service and repair of alternative-fuel vehicles and equipment.
With the help of $55,000 in funding from the MSRC, Santa Ana has recently completed the installation of emission control devices on six of its heavy-duty diesel vehicles.
The six heavy-duty diesel vehicles, which include water, cement and dump trucks, are essential for daily operations in the community. After careful consideration, it was determined that replacing the trucks with alternative fuel vehicles would not be a practical option for the City. In order to reduce harmful toxins from the trucks’ exhaust, after-treatment devices verified to California Air Resources Board (CARB) Level 3 standards were installed on the trucks. Level 3technology achieves an 85% reduction in particulate matter. Using this strategy, Santa Ana is reducing emissions and purifying the air.
The remaining $210,000 is reserved for the purchase of seven propane-powered Ford F-550 trucks. Propane, or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), produces less carbon emissions than diesel and does not contaminate underground water sources.
These environmental transportation projects are part of the Green Facilities, Fleet Management and Central Stores Strategic Plan that is designed to transform 75 to 80% of the City’s fleet of over 900 vehicles into a line-up of cars, trucks and equipment powered by sustainable and renewable energy sources. The comprehensive plan integrates alternative and conventional environmental transportation technologies to achieve its aggressive goals.
With the generous support of the MSRC, the City of Santa Ana is able to implement strategies that will cut fuel costs, improve air quality and benefit the welfare of residents in the southern region of California.