City to participate in alternative fuels plan

Thursday, Aug. 17, 2000 | 9:54 a.m.

The city of Las Vegas will receive $10.8 million as part of an experimental five-year energy savings agreement with the federal government and a private company.

The agreement, approved Wednesday by the City Council, will allow the city to demonstrate the effectiveness of six alternative fuel buses in an effort to improve air quality.

Under terms of the deal, the U.S. Department of Energy and Air Products Inc. of Allentown, Pa., will give the city the $10.8 million. The city will provide $900,000 worth of in-kind services over the course of the five years by providing the buses.

"We think this is a very ambitious program," said Dan Hyde, the city's director of vehicle services.

In addition to helping improve air quality by testing new fuels, Hyde said the agreement will also help bring economic opportunities to Las Vegas.

City Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald congratulated the city staff on the deal, saying it will definitely help raise awareness about alternative fuels and possibly alleviate some air pollution.

During the course of the deal, the city will add 10 light-duty pickup trucks operating on a hydrogen-based fuel.

The six 31-passenger buses will be converted to operate on hydrogen-enriched natural gas.