Meet Kentucky's Greenest Fleets!

View photos from the awards presentation

The Breathitt Co. Board of Education is a Pioneer member of the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass program. Breathitt County has eight Thomas Built Hybrid 66 passenger school buses with the Eaton electric system, and has ordered four more. Fuel efficiency has increased from 6.2 miles per gallon to 8.8 miles per gallon in the hybrid buses. Breathitt continues to strive to improve driving and route efficiency, and places new hybrids on varying routes to gather comparative data within their own fleet. Efforts save fuel and thus school district money.

The Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) District is a Pioneer member of the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass Program. JCPS is on track to have the largest hybrid electric school bus fleet in the United States. JCPS utilizes 32 hybrid electric buses as part of its approximately 1,200 bus fleet, and has 18 more on order. JCPS has seen significant improvement in fuel economy from the hybrid bus project. All diesel buses use a B2 biodiesel blend, and other vehicles requiring regular fuel use a reformulated gasoline of 5% alcohol. JCPS partners with the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, and Louisville's Partnership for a Green City.

The Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is a Pioneer member of the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass program. Twenty hybrid vehicles are included among the 261 vehicles DEP operates across the state. As part of their Green Fleet efforts, DEP has adopted fleet efficiency standards outlined in the Governor's 2007 Energy Plan, and now aims for 30% improvement in the fuel economy of the fleet by 2015 and a 50% improvement by 2025. Efforts include downsizing to the smallest and most fuel efficient class possible for replacement vehicles as well as taking advantage of hybrid efficiencies. In addition to active membership in the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, DEP is also working to promote fleet efficiencies among other state departments across Kentucky. Read more about DEP's effort in the fall 2011 edition of Land, Air, and Water.

The Division of Fleet Management is a Pioneer member of the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass program. A division of the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, Fleet Management has adopted the Governor's charge to raise fleet fuel economy 30% by 2015 and 50% by 2025. Almost a quarter of the division's 4,600 vehicle fleet is comprised of either hybrid vehicles or vehicles using E85 or biodiesel. The Division of Fleet Management is a member of the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition.

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) is a Pioneer member of the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass Program. The municipal fleet includes over 175 vehicles using B5 biodiesel and 73 hybrid vehicles. In addition, Diesel Particulate Filters have been installed on older vehicles to improve air quality. Many of these vehicles are used to provide public services including public safety and first response, waste removal, and street sweeping. The city's draft strategic plan, Empower Lexington, seeks to reduce energy use by 1% every year, and includes efforts to promote alternative vehicle technologies and efficient vehicles and driving. LFUCG is an active member of the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition with Tracey Thurman providing leadership in 2011 as KCFC’s President, and serving as a member of the 2012 Board of Directors.

The Louisville Regional Airport Authority's Ground Fleet operation is a Pioneer member of the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass program. About a quarter of the ground vehicles used in support of airline operations use B5 bio-diesel. All vehicles are subject to anti-idling requirements. An Energy Reduction Working Group meets monthly to identify fuel savings opportunities. The Louisville Regional Airport Authority is a member of the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition.

Mammoth Cave National Park (MCNP) is a Pioneer Member of the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass program. MCNP is the first national park in the country to utilize 100% alternative fuels and advanced technologies in their fleet. Biodiesel is used with all heavy duty equipment, including the Green River ferry boats. Low speed electric vehicles are utilized by hotel staff and camping ground security, and all buses use propane. Over 90% of the vehicles used by Mammoth Cave NP run on either E10 or E85. Mammoth Cave NP partners with concessionaire Forever Resorts to enable both park and hotel vehicles to share the park's refueling station. MCNP is a member of the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition.

Mercer Transportation is a Pioneer Member of the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass Program. Mercer's diesel fleet of over 2,000 trucks are driven under strict speed control guidelines as well as anti-idling guidance in order to minimize fuel inefficiencies. Mercer is one of the first Urban Truck Electrification sites in the country, and reduces idling by supplying forty electric plug in spaces for semi trucks. Mercer is an EPA SmartWay Partner and is an active member of the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, serving on the 2011 and 2012 KCFC Board of Directors.

Murray State University is a Pioneer member of the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass program. The college campus makes extensive use of alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles, with 29% of its 280 vehicle fleet using E85, E10, or B20 biodiesel. Use of alternative fuel accounts for over 90% of the fuel used in flex fuel vehicles. In addition, Murray State uses four GEM electric vehicles, further reducing the petroleum used by its fleet. Murray State University is an active member of the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, serving on the 2011 and 2012 Board of Directors.

Transit Authority of River City (TARC) is a Pioneer member of the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass Program. Currently 10% of TARC's bus fleet is operating on hybrid diesel, increasing to 15% in 2012. The buses, purchased through a federal grant, service the Greater Louisville area and reduce fuel consumption and air pollution. In pursuit of improved fleet performance, TARC partners with the American Public Transportation Association and the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition.

Airline Ground Support Equipment supporting UPS' Louisville operations is a Pioneer member of the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass Program. More than 40% of the off road fleet uses electricity, propane, and B5 biodiesel. In addition, UPS has 25 hybrid electric delivery trucks on the road in Kentucky. UPS has a corporate level strategy for the reduction of its environmental impact and increase in fleet efficiency, and has been recognized by the EPA as an Outstanding Environmental Leader in 2010 as well as a National Partner by US DOE Clean Cities. UPS is an active member of the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, with Bill Jacob providing leadership as 2012 KCFC President as well as serving on the 2011 Board of Directors.

Waste Management (WM) of Kentucky is a Pioneer member of the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass Program. WM's sustainability strategy includes the opening of its first two compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations in Kentucky, to be opened in Louisville in early 2012. Over 70% of refuse collection trucks will be operating on CNG. WM has begun enhancing their corporate environmental initiative, including providing leadership on local environmental and economic initiatives such as the Bluegrass Economic Advancement Project (BEAM). As a new member of the Kentucky Clean Fuel Coalition, WM will serve on the 2012 Board of Directors.

Program Overview (PDF)

View Program Details (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

Program Launch Presentation (PDF)