Township fleet set to go green The Township of Langley is one of the first municipalities in Canada to join a new program aimed at greening our nation's vehicle fleets. Under the recently launched E3 Fleet program, Canadian fleet managers now have the tools needed to reduce their impact on the environment while saving money. The program includes the first green rating system for vehicle fleets in North America. "This reinforces the Township's commitment to sustainability and lessening our contribution to global warming," Township of Langley mayor Kurt Alberts said. "It also highlights the efforts already made in the Township fleet such as right-sizing our vehicles and using alternative fuels." The Fraser Basin Council and program partners Western Economic Diversification Canada and BC Ministry of the Environment announced the E3 Fleet program in Vancouver last week. The program will provide the Township with services and resources to increase fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, manage expenses, incorporate new technologies and use alternative fuels. "The Township of Langley recently moved its entire diesel fleet to Biodiesel" said John McQueen, fleet manager for the Township of Langley. "This program, like our switch to Biodiesel, isn't just about operating more efficiently. It's about influencing other fleets to do the same by recognizing the efforts we're making." The E3 program is expected to help the Township reach its greenhouse gas emissions target of 10 per cent below year 2000 levels by 2010, with the move to Biodiesel expected to reduce life- cycle carbon emissions from Township vehicles and equipment by over 15 per cent. "We recognize that Canadian fleets face challenges," said Mark Warawa, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment. "The E3 Fleet program is a great opportunity for Canadians to showcase our leadership in developing and adopting sustainability best practices." The E3 Fleet system has four components: a Green Rating Guide, a points system for determining just how green a fleet is, a third party audit of fleets and finally the Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum level rating. "One of the best parts of this innovative program is that we're showing managers of trucking, utility, urban delivery, courier, and government fleets that operating in a more environmentally sustainable way can also help their bottom line," said Dr. Charles Jago, chairman of the Fraser Basin Council. Among the E3 Fleet's charter members are Auto-Gas Propane, University of BC, BC Hydro, District of Maple Ridge, Enbridge, Township of Langley, cities of Kelowna, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, Vancouver, Whistler, Williams Lake and Hamilton, Novex Courier as well as the BC Ministry of Environment. These charter members collectively operate more than 15,000 vehicles. "The B.C. government is pleased to take a leading role in the greening of fleets across the province," said Barry Penner, B.C. Minister of Environment. "We encourage fleet operators around B.C. to get involved in the E3 program, and the Township of Langley is playing a part in reducing energy consumption and air pollution," said Langley MLA Mary Polak. Copyright 2007 Aldergrove Star
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