Columbus Greens Off-Road Fleet
For Immediate Release
July 8, 2015
Contact: Bill
Burns, Fleet Management, 645-6206
Erin
Miller, Mayor’s Office, 645-0815
Terri Leist,
Recreation & Parks, 645-5420
Columbus Greens Off-Road Fleet
Airport Golf Course Selected to Participate in Propane
Powered Mower Research Program
The greenest fleet in all of North America is getting
greener. The City of Columbus has partnered with R&R Products and the
Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) on a research program. The
city’s Airport Golf Course is one of seven golf courses selected nationwide by
R&R Products and PERC to participate in the project.
R&R Products is supplying the Airport Golf Course
with four new pieces of propane powered mowing equipment for the golf course to
use in its daily operations at no-cost. PERC is funding the research program.
At the end of the project, the city can choose to purchase the equipment at a
55 percent depreciation rate for a total of $56,845, a savings of $69,478.
The city’s participation requires that golf course
equipment operators track usage information such as fuel data and operator
feedback and report back to the research partners.
“We are thankful to R&R Products and PERC and look
forward to participating in this research program,” said Mayor Michael B.
Coleman. “The propane powered mowers will reduce harmful air emissions to our
employees and in our neighborhoods.”
Propane
is domestically available, nontoxic, colorless, and virtually odorless. Tests
conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency show that propane-fueled
vehicles produce 30 to 90 percent less carbon monoxide and nearly 50 percent
fewer toxins and other smog-producing emissions than gasoline engines.
“Golf courses provide
flowing green spaces for people and wildlife to connect,” said Councilmember
Jaiza Page, chair of the Recreation and Parks Committee. “The use of more
environmentally friendly equipment will allow the course to be a good neighbor
to all.”
City
of Columbus Fleet Facts
- The
City of Columbus Fleet Management Division maintains over 6300 pieces of
equipment
- 3,473,865
gallons of fuel consumed in 2014. Alternative fuel included:
PERC is a non-profit trade organization advocating for
the use of propane. PERC will use the program to acquire performance data
documenting the effectiveness of equipment based on “real-world” usage.
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