Article taken from Times Union. To view article click here The state of New York is taking its first steps toward greening its car fleet, under an environmental initiative by Gov. David Paterson. Under new purchasing rules announced in December, the state set fuel-efficiency requirements and can only buy passenger cars that get mileage in the top 30 percent of their class, as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
New rules for energy efficiency and environmental sensitivity also cover laptop and personal computers and engine block heaters. Preliminary rules were also issued for another 18 items ranging from dishwashers and refrigerators to air conditioners, motor oil, printing, ink and turf.
It was not immediately clear how the rules will affect the look of the fleet. For example, take the perennial favorite of police departments: the Ford Crown Victoria, which is the standard-issue cruiser for State Police. With its V-8 engine, the four-door sedan is rated at 24 highway miles to the gallon and 16 in cities. That places it 38th on the EPA list of 70 large cars, which is below the state's 30 percent standard.
The heads of state Department of Environmental Conservation and Office of General Services, which helped write the new purchasing rules, praised the effort in prepared statements.
"Businesses are making it easier for consumers to buy products and services that are both eco-friendly and cost-efficient, and New York state is leading by example in showing how this can translate into a better work environment," said DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis.
"New York's actions are having a global impact," said OGS Commissioner John Egan. "Every day OGS procurement professionals are measuring the market and seeking ways to aggregate the purchase of thousands of products by state and local government. Equally important is the notion that by working closely with top environmental stewards, we are ensuring that sustainability and conservation are included in the purchasing equation."
OGS spokesman Brad Maione could not say how much of the state current passenger fleet does not meet the new purchasing standard. He said the 10 largest state agencies account for about 10,500 vehicles of all types, including trucks.
In April 2008, Paterson ordered creation of a state Green Procurement and Agency Sustainability Program. The order requires state agencies, public authorities and public benefit corporations to green their procurements and to implement sustainability initiatives. A listing of the new specifications by the Office of General Services can be found here. Information about the program is also available on the DEC website