Friday, January 30, 2009

Propel Fuels Brings Renewable Fuel and Green Jobs to California

Propel Fuels a leading retailer of clean, renewable fuels, officially launches the first of a state-wide network of low-carbon fueling stations today. The green-built station platform makes it convenient for consumers and fleets to fuel their vehicles with environmentally friendly, American-made fuels. Propel stations now sell E85 Flex Fuel and Biodiesel, with Hydrogen and Electric Chargers soon to come. The company aims to deploy hundreds of stations across the state within the next five years.

This new fuel infrastructure strengthens California’s economy by keeping dollars, otherwise spent on foreign oil, within the state while creating hundreds of new green-collar jobs. The total five year economic output from deploying the new statewide renewable fuel infrastructure is estimated to be more than $200 million. Additionally, Propel is committed to acquiring renewable fuels from California producers, which will offset the import of more than 100 million gallons of petroleum per year, and is estimated to generate over $400 million of direct and indirect economic activity within California.

“With transportation fuels making up 40 percent of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, these alternative fueling stations are exactly what I envisioned when I called for California to establish the world’s first Low Carbon Fuel Standard,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “By providing drivers with a choice of fuel options, today’s announcement illustrates how the private sector is joining the public sector to help lower the Golden State’s carbon footprint. This is the kind of leadership that will lead to the creation of a booming low carbon fuel market and help us meet our aggressive climate change goals.”

In order to help meet California’s growing demand for clean, renewable, low carbon fuels, Propel has recently moved their headquarters from Seattle to Sacramento, which will create dozens of headquarters jobs in California. California’s greenhouse gas laws, alternative fuel programs, the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, and Governor Schwarzenegger’s environmental and economic leadership are the drivers that led Propel to California.

“Right now, more than 70,000 drivers in the Sacramento-area have the ability to put low carbon, American made fuels in their tanks – but there are few locations that offer them,” said Rob Elam, CEO of Propel. “Our network of stations will change that by making it convenient to use domestically produced, environmentally friendly fuels. For the first time, Sacramento-area individuals and businesses have true choice at the pump, giving them the ability to reduce their carbon footprint as well as our reliance on imported fossil fuels.”

The first Propel stations will be co-located at gas stations in Elk Grove, Rocklin, Citrus Heights and Sacramento. Propel stations will be open 24-7 and accept all major credit, debit and fleet cards. A map of current Propel locations is available at www.propelfuels.com.

Propel’s stations are already frequented by California’s greenest fleets. "We're greener than you think," said Rosemarie Fernandez, Sacramento District Manager of the U.S. Postal Service who currently fills a fleet of Flex Fuel delivery vehicles with Propel. "Green packaging. Green Post Offices. Green roofs. Green website, and 'Going Green' in fuel efficiency isn’t just a catchphrase. It’s our way of leading by example, meeting the needs of the present without compromising the future."

A Grand Opening Event, which is open to the public, will take place from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the CFP located at the 76 station at 6700 Five Star Boulevard in Rocklin. The program begins at 10:00 a.m., and will include brief remarks from public officials and clean technology entrepreneurs. Also on display will be the latest eco-friendly vehicles from leading FlexFuel and diesel vehicle manufacturers, including General Motors, Volkswagen and others. Attendees at the event can enjoy free food and prizes.

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