The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) Board of Directors has approved grant funding for public-sector fleet alternative fuel vehicle and fueling infrastructure projects. The City of Norman, The University of Oklahoma, Cleveland Area Rapid Transit, and the City of Midwest City were awarded funding to defray costs related to the purchase of new compressed natural gas (CNG) refuse trucks, CNG buses, and hybrid electric vehicles.

A total of $294,510 was awarded to the applicants. All applicants will contribute to the reduction in criteria emissions that cause ozone pollution (volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), as well as particulate matter. Reduction of these pollutants can lead to positive public health outcomes for Central Oklahomans. These vehicles will reduce these criteria pollutants by 114.5 pounds annually. This translates to taking thirty-two model year 2006 gasoline passenger vehicles off the road every year over the life of the awarded vehicles.

“Central Oklahoma’s public fleets walk the walk when it comes to clean air,” said John Sharp, Deputy Director of ACOG. “Alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies improve air quality and support Oklahoma companies that provide domestically produced fuels.”

Projects are scored in a competitive grant process based on air pollution emission reductions through replacement of older high-mileage vehicles with new alternative fuel vehicles or new alternative fueling infrastructure.

The ACOG Public Fleet Clean Air Grant program is funded through the Congestion Mitigation of Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program which provides a flexible funding source for state and local governments to fund transportation projects and programs to help meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act and its amendments.