| Local Policy Description: | Alternative Transportation Fuels/Advanced Vehicle Technology
The alternative fuels (AF) program began in 1990 when city council voted to approve the alternative fuels ordinance. Language for the ordinance was based upon the federal Energy Policy Act that requires the use of alternative fuel vehicles in specified fleets. The ordinance goals were to emphasize the growing public health priority of reducing vehicular related air pollution, reduce the dependence on foreign oil, and show municipal leadership by developing an AF industry in Denver. The ordinance has had a very positive impact on the number of AF vehicles in the city.
To date, the city fleet has over 240 vehicles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), propane (LPG) or electricity. Other private fleets affected by the ordinance have added another 1200 to the increasing number of AF vehicles operating in the Denver area. In 1991, Denver commenced work on a project, which tested a new type of AF called "HythaneTM" (15% hydrogen, 85% compressed natural gas, measured by volume). The results of the study showed that HythaneTM could deliver lower CO2 emissions when compared to either 100% natural gas or gasoline. This fuel is now the subject of R&D efforts in the U.S. and overseas.
Denver has chosen to expand the positive impact of reducing pollution through the use of not only alternative fuels, but of advanced vehicle technology. In 2001, 39 electric-hybrid vehicles were purchased for city use in several city departments including public works, library, fire, police, wastewater, and the city attorney's office.
Recommended Policy for 2010: Several City and County of Denver departments and agencies moved into a new office building in 2002. The Civic Center Office Building is home to a municipal motor pool containing over 80 vehicles including electric-hybrids, fully electric and neighborhood electric. The city will research and implement a distributed power generation project that uses "plug in" electric hybrids to provide power to augment the building requirements for heat and electricity.
Clean Cities
The City and County of Denver (Denver) has long been a forerunner in the generation of ideas and the application of solutions relating to environmental protection. The city recognizes that a healthy environment for alternatively fueled vehicles takes--at a minimum--regional cooperation between many local governments, regional entities, state and federal governments, citizen groups and the private sector. In 1993, Mayor Webb submitted a Clean Cities proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy resulting in Denver being the second city nationwide receiving such a designation. This designation enhanced Denver's continued promotion of alternative fuels, helped to further reduce air pollution, and provided the opportunity to grow a new industry.
Recommended Policy for 2010: As one of the "top ten" Clean Cities in the nation, Denver will continue to promote niche markets. These markets include the conversion of school buses in the Denver Public School District fleet to CNG, expansion of the number of propane and CNG shuttle buses operating at Denver International Airport, and continued development of the alternative fuel infrastructure along the front range.
Light Rail
Currently, the Denver metro area operates 14.2 miles of light rail with 8 miles being located within the City and County of Denver. This alternative mode is promoted using our travel reduction program (TRP) and is experiencing ridership that is 43% above projections. Due to this success, the Regional Transportation District is constructing the Transportation Expansion Project (TREX) which is adding an additional 19.7 miles of rail with ten (10) of these miles in Denver.
Recommended Policy for 2010: The Regional Transportation District is planning for the next phase of light rail that is called Fas Tracks. Fas Tracks seeks to design, build and operate-by 2013-- an additional 107.8 miles of light rail with 46.2 of these miles occurring within the City and County of Denver. This latter project will be a referendum and begin in 2003 with a ten year construction period if approved.
Travel Reduction
The basis for the travel reduction program (TRP) began in 1992 when a baseline study of city employees was conducted showing that 47% used alternative transportation or alternative work schedules. In 1993, two substantial factors changed these statistics: 1) an environmental transportation coordinator (ETC) network was developed to begin the promotion of TRP programs throughout city departments; and, 2) a bus pass subsidy program for city employees began. A 1998 survey of city employees showed 65% used alternative transportation or alternative work schedules. A total of 54 ETCs now participate in this program and assist 1700 employees to annually purchase over 15,000 subsidized bus passes.
When federal legislation was passed allowing local municipalities to take advantage of pre-tax, payroll deduction of bus pass purchases, Denver became one of the first cities nationwide to adopt an ordinance. The success of the program resulted in the Mobile Sources program receipt of the city's Pioneer Award for contributions and innovation that benefited City service and the Denver community.
Recommended Policy for 2010: The bus pass program-which had a 2001 employee participation rate of 12% (1700 out of 14000 employees)-will be increased to 20% by 2010.
|