Administered by Virginia Clean Cities at James Madison University, the program will deploy nearly 1,200 propane Autogas vehicles, reducing air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, soot and smog-causing emissions when compared to traditional gasoline vehicles.

Arlington, Va.-based Red Top Cab provided the first vehicle for conversion under the program.

The founding partners of Alliance AutoGas—a national propane Autogas vehicle conversion and fueling network—are closely involved with the program. Blossman Gas (the nation’s largest independent propane Autogas company) will install and service the fueling stations, and American Alternative Fuel (alternative fuel systems specialists) will provide the conversion equipment and work with participating fleets to train and certify their technicians. The program’s first conversion was performed by American Alternative Fuel at Baker Equipment in Richmond, Va.

The Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program is supported by funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the US Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program. The program is managed and administered by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and Virginia Clean Cities at James Madison University. The project includes partnerships throughout the Southeast—from Maryland to Florida to Louisiana—including public and private fleet organizations, non-profits, government stakeholders, and several major alternative energy and manufacturing companies in the alternative fuel market.