RE: HUD Grant –Public Fleet Evaluation for Memphis and W Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization Areas (MPOs)
As we all know, the Memphis area is strategically centered near the population center of the country and ranks among the top warehouse, distribution, and freight hubs in the United States. The logistics industry is a key component to the economic well-being of the entire area. The cost of fuel impacts our regional economy, as do the emissions from burning it. If any area should be leading the nation in transportation innovation, it is the Mid-South.
A study has been commissioned for Shelby County's "Mid-South Regional Greenprint Consortium" to quantify the impacts of public fleets on the air quality of the Memphis and West Memphis MPOs and Mid-South region. These MPOs are designated an EPA “non-attainment area” for ozone, and this can interfere with local efforts at economic development as well as causing health problems.
One of the deliverables of this study is to create a full inventory of road legal vehicles in use by the various local governments within the MPOs. The purpose of this specific study is to produce a solid database concerning government fleet contributions to the MPO’s carbon footprint and make recommendations for improvement. The end result will be a written report calculating possible emission reductions and cost savings if a particular vehicle transitions to an alternative fuel, with recommendations concerning vehicle deployment and the current lack of fueling infrastructure. The study is being headed up by Memphis Bioworks Foundation with assistance from Clean Fuels of West Tennessee.
The hardest part of this study at present is getting an accurate inventory from the dozens of fleet managers involved. On-site visits are in progress. Stay tuned. The final report is due in October, 2014.
As we all know, the Memphis area is strategically centered near the population center of the country and ranks among the top warehouse, distribution, and freight hubs in the United States. The logistics industry is a key component to the economic well-being of the entire area. The cost of fuel impacts our regional economy, as do the emissions from burning it. If any area should be leading the nation in transportation innovation, it is the Mid-South.
A study has been commissioned for Shelby County's "Mid-South Regional Greenprint Consortium" to quantify the impacts of public fleets on the air quality of the Memphis and West Memphis MPOs and Mid-South region. These MPOs are designated an EPA “non-attainment area” for ozone, and this can interfere with local efforts at economic development as well as causing health problems.
One of the deliverables of this study is to create a full inventory of road legal vehicles in use by the various local governments within the MPOs. The purpose of this specific study is to produce a solid database concerning government fleet contributions to the MPO’s carbon footprint and make recommendations for improvement. The end result will be a written report calculating possible emission reductions and cost savings if a particular vehicle transitions to an alternative fuel, with recommendations concerning vehicle deployment and the current lack of fueling infrastructure. The study is being headed up by Memphis Bioworks Foundation with assistance from Clean Fuels of West Tennessee.
The hardest part of this study at present is getting an accurate inventory from the dozens of fleet managers involved. On-site visits are in progress. Stay tuned. The final report is due in October, 2014.