Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition hosts autogas event

A propane-powered van operated by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Photo courtesy of Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition.

The Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition, along with the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), is inviting fleet managers, school administrators, vehicle providers, equipment manufacturers, fuel providers and the public to attend a workshop on the advantages of propane-powered vehicles.

The workshop, called “Propane Power in the Preserves,” will be held on Aug. 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sagawau Environmental Learning Center in Lemont, Illinois. According to the coalition, propane vehicles will be available to test-drive. Speakers at the event will include:

• Greg Zilbergarb, representing PERC
• Aaron DeWeese, Illinois Propane Gas Association
• John Benish Jr., Cook-Illinois Corp.
• Tom Thompson, Forest Preserves of Cook County
• Tom Hopkins, Roush CleanTech
• Lynn Stafford, Stag USA
• Christina Roberts, Suburban Propane

The event will culminate with a tour of the Sagawau Canyon Nature Preserve.

“There are many fleets throughout the Chicago area using propane to power their vehicles, including passenger vehicles, pickup trucks, police cars, delivery vehicles, cargo vans, shuttles and school buses,” says John Walton, chair of Chicago Area Clean Cities. “Using propane to power vehicles has environmental and economic benefits. It’s a safe and easy-to-use fuel that has lower tailpipe emissions. It also is quieter than diesel combustion and costs less than diesel or gasoline.”

The program is open to anyone who wants to learn about the advantages of using propane as a transportation fuel, as well as those who currently own or operate propane-powered fleet vehicles. The event is free, and anyone interested in attending can register at: https://propanepower.eventbrite.com.