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EPA Places Three Electric Vehicles In Service

Release Date: 05/19/1999
Contact Information: Carl Terry, EPA Press and Media Relations, 404/562-8325 or James Peters, Georgia Power Media Relations, 404/506-7676

On the eve of Atlanta’s May 20 “Clean Commute Day,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has placed three new electric vehicles (EVs) in service.

The two pickup trucks and a sedan are being provided by Georgia Power, a Southern Company, under a U.S. Department of Energy program to familiarize Federal fleets with EVs as a clean-fuel transportation alternative.

Georgia Power, with 1.8 million customers, is the largest subsidiary of the Southern Company, the nation’s largest generator of electricity.

Ceremonies Wednesday (May 19) at the Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center recognized EPA as one of the first Federal agencies to participate in the DOE program.

Concurrently, EPA hosted a Clean Air/Commuter Fair on the Federal plaza featuring literature and poster displays by 11 Atlanta area public and private organizations.

Information covered commuting options, health concerns, the Federal Government’s Clean Air Initiative, and the state-led Partnership for a Smog-Free Georgia.

Keynoting the event were remarks by EPA officials on development of regional and national programs, policies, and regulations for air pollution control.

The Southern Company’s Vice President for Research and Environmental Affairs, Dr. Charles H. Goodman, turned over keys to the three EVs--Chevrolet S-10 and Ford Ranger pickups and a General Motors EV1 sedan--to John H. Hankinson, Jr., EPA Regional Administrator in Atlanta.

DOE has designated Atlanta and four other air-quality non-attainment cities as target locations for the EV loan program. The purpose is to demonstrate the use of these vehicles to meet Federal transportation needs--and to encourage future purchases.

Other Atlanta Federal Center agencies will be invited to participate in the loaner program after EPA’s evaluation period.