April 8, 2005

Houston City Hall

Houston Mayor Bill White today announced plans to convert a substantial portion of the city's fleet of cars, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles to cleaner emissions hybrids by the year 2010.  Release

"This makes economic sense, it makes environmental sense and it is going to set an example," White said.  "We're going to save on fuel costs and we're going to help save our air quality."

"It's great to see the City of Houston take this very significant step toward healthier air," said Dr. Ramon Alvarez of Environmental Defense.   "And that's what it's all about  -- healthier air.  The most basic role of government is to protect its citizens, and Mayor White's commitment to cleaner city vehicles is a commendable step in protecting the health of
Houstonians."

The new plan being implemented will be to buy hybrids for the nonspecialty civilian fleet (standard cars, pickups and SUVs) when available.  It is estimated that 80 percent of new vehicle purchases and over 50 percent of this portion of the city's fleet could be clean technology, lower emissions hybrid vehicles by the year 2010.

White's announcement came in conjunction with "Fresh Air Friday," an annual project by the Houston-Galveston Area Council, Harris County and the City of Houston to educate the public about the risks of air pollution, promote clean air programs and support ways to keep the city beautiful.

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