Feature
NASA Recognized for Use of Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Gas prices may be at record levels this year, but NASA, the agency renowned for "soaring to new heights," has remained largely unaffected.
Image to right: Langley's Grady McCoy stand beside an Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV). Image Credit: NASA/Jeff Caplan
NASA is leading the way among federal agencies to switch to alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). Many people are familiar with "hybrid" electric cars, but fewer are aware of vehicles that run on alternative fuels like natural gas, ethanol and biodiesel.
"Alternative fuels reduce vehicle emissions and aid in reducing reliance on foreign petroleum," said William Gookin, NASA's Manager of Transportation Programs.
Gookin has encouraged NASA's 10 field centers to comply with the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), which requires the acquisition of alternative fuel vehicles for federal fleets, and Executive Order 13149, which requires that federal fleets reduce their petroleum use by 20 percent by 2005.
NASA's Glenn Research Center, Kennedy Space Center, Langley Research Center and Stennis Space Center all have pumps supplying their fleets with E85 -- a cleaner burning motor fuel blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Goddard Space Flight Center and Johnson Space Center will follow suit this year.
"We look forward to seeing new E85 pumps established through NASA this year and in years to come," said Phil Lampert, executive director of the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition. "Federal agencies are subject to the requirements of both federal statute, and Presidential Executive Orders regarding alternative fuels and clearly NASA takes these directives seriously. We appreciate the leadership that has been provided by NASA and encourage other units of the federal government to duplicate their efforts."
Langley, which boasts one of only two E85 pumps in Virginia, also can lay claim to one of the most diverse fleets.
Image to left: The Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) logo on the side of one of Langley's AFV fleet. Image Credit: NASA/Jeff Caplan
In addition to its 19 E85 flexible-fuel vehicles and 26 natural gas vehicles - including three Honda Civic GXs, the cleanest-running internal-combustion-engine vehicle ever tested by the EPA - Langley was the first center in the agency and the first fleet in Virginia to introduce biodiesel (B-20). Six other centers have since started using B-20.
The Hampton Roads Clean Cities Coalition recently recognized Langley for its efforts: "We commend fleet manager Grady McCoy on his continued leadership in pushing to comply with the Presidential Executive Order 13149 years ahead of schedule."
How have employees reacted to E85 and biodiesel?
"Nobody can tell the difference," McCoy said.
Quicktime Movie about NASA AFVs (8.1M)
NASA Langley Research Center