Washington Business Spring 2015 | Page 20

what’s working Driving Innovation Leading efforts in sustainability practices makes good business and environmental sense. Bobbi Cussins The use of alternative fuels is growing, and not just as a matter of public policy changes and proposals in states like California and Washington, but rather as more companies proactively set environmental goals to lower carbon emissions by converting their fleets to cleaner fuel options. at a glance UPS has committed more than $250 million and has deployed more than 5,000 alternative fuel and alternative technology vehicles around the world. By the end of 2015, UPS plans to have more than 7,800 alternative fuel vehicles, an annual increase of more than 50 percent from 2014.  UPS has deployed hybrid electric vehicles in nearly every state across the country; and natural gas vehicles, specifically, in 18 states. In 2014, Clean Energy sold approximately 20 million gallons of Redeem renewable natural gas and conventional natural gas, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 783,300 metric tons, or the equivalent of removing more than 165,262 passenger cars from the road. Pasco-based Basin Disposal currently has eight liquid natural gas trucks and will purchase four to five more each year as the company moves to fully replace its aging diesel fuel truck fleet. 20 association of washington business Vehicles that run on alternative fuels and electricity have come a long way since 1932. That’s when UPS was the first package delivery company in the industry to introduce alternative fuel tractors into its fleet. Today, Seattle-born UPS operates more than 5,000 alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. And, smaller firms, like Basin Disposal in Pasco, are following suit by building an alternative fuel fleet along with investing in the fuel compression and delivery infrastructure. This is in part because America is in the midst of an energy revolution that incorporates the abundance of alternative fuels, like natural gas, that are helping move the nation toward greater energy independence, stabilizing fuel costs for businesses and consumers, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Darrick Dietrich, president and CEO of the refuse and recycling company Basin Disposal, said his community has embraced the environmental efforts his company has made to lower carbon emissions through the use of new, clean fuels. And, his business has seen the benefit of stable fuel costs and prices for his customers. Basin Disposal currently has eight natural gas-powered trucks and is purchasing four to five more each year to replace its outdated diesel-powered fleet. This positive trend is illustrated by the increase in the sale of alternative fuels, p \