News Releases
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 News from the City of Lawrence
(Sent: 2012-06-20 07:00:55)NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Wednesday, June 20, 2012 News from the City of Lawrence
1) Lawrence adds natural gas vehicle to city fleet
2) Concert series performances to continue this week
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Contact: Megan Gilliland, City of Lawrence, communications manager, (785) 832-3406 OR Curt Floerchinger, Black Hills Energy, (785) 764-6492
(Lawrence, Kan.) – For the past decade, the City of Lawrence has implemented ways to reduce vehicle emissions by adding alternative-fuel vehicles to its fleet. The latest effort is a Ford F-150 pickup that can run on compressed natural gas, the cleanest burning fossil fuel and, with natural gas prices at a 15-year low, an efficient way to target operating cost.
“It is important we continue to evaluate our fleet and make sure we implement cost-effective solutions that also fulfill the sustainability goals we have for the city,” said Mayor Bob Schumm. “This vehicle is another opportunity to learn more about the environmental and economic benefits of alternative-fueled vehicles.”
The kit for converting the truck to run on either gasoline or natural gas was donated to the city by Lawrence natural gas service provider Black Hills Energy and Fuel Conversion Solutions, a company based in Grain Valley, Mo. Today, the price for natural gas equivalent to a gallon of gasoline is about $1.50, and $1.75 compared to an equivalent gallon of diesel fuel. With gasoline recently at around $3.39 a gallon, using natural gas can cut fuel costs by more than half.
“Natural gas is a clean, abundant and reliable source of energy,” said Lanny Wagoner, vice president of Fuel Conversion Solutions. “In addition to the cost benefits, more than 90 percent of the natural gas we use in this country comes from right here in the United States, reducing our dependence on foreign oil.”
The city currently has three Prius Hybrids, a hybrid electric aerial lift truck, and a low-speed electric vehicle in its fleet. In addition, the city received grant funds that provided for improvements to enhance the cleanliness of 14 diesel engines. The natural gas vehicle will be a first for the city.
“NGVs are rapidly gaining favor with fleet owners and operators attracted to the environmental benefits and potential financial rewards,” said Black Hills Energy manager and NGV specialist Tim Hess. “Natural gas vehicles are good for our economy, our environment, and anyone looking to trim budgets and improve the bottom line.”
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(Lawrence, Kan.) - Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department’s two summer concert series’ have performances this week.
Tonight, The Lawrence City Band’s Summer Concert Series will continue at 8 p.m. at the William Kelly Bandstand located in historic South Park, 1141 Massachusetts St. The band will be performing the Annual Children’s Concert. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to Murphy Hall, Room 130, on the University of Kansas campus.
The Brown Bag Concert Series will resume this week as well with a performance by the Good Ole Boys at noon, Thursday, June 21, in front of U.S. Bank, 900 Massachusetts St. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held at Watkins Community Museum, 1047 Massachusetts St.
Both of these concerts are free and open to the public.
For more information regarding the concerts, contact Duane Peterson, special events supervisor, at (785) 832-7940.
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