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Home > Rules, Documents and Reports> Procurement of Fuel Efficient, Less Polluting Vehicles

State of Maine Executive Order

Procurement of Fuel Efficient, Less Polluting Vehicles

WHEREAS, the Governor, as the state's Chief Executive, has oversight responsibility for agency actions; and

WHEREAS, the CLEAN GOVERNMENT Initiative directs state agencies to meet applicable environmental compliance requirements and to incorporate environmentally sustainable practices in all state government functions; and

WHEREAS, the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers encourage the purchase and use of cleaner, more efficient vehicles in jurisdictional fleets; and

WHEREAS, the transportation sector contributes significantly to emissions of ozone forming pollutants, air toxic's and greenhouse gases; and

WHEREAS, energy efficiency contributes to energy security by reducing dependence on foreign oil; and

WHEREAS, state government is require to promote procurement of clean, energy efficient state fleet vehicles which will beneficially impact air emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, and the promotion of new technologies; and

WHEREAS, state government operates fleet vehicles which contribute to emissions;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Angus King, by the authority vested in me as Governor, do hereby order the agencies of the state of maine as follows:

  1. Agencies shall evaluate their current fleet to determine vehicle need, age, and efficiency, eliminate unnecessary vehicles and when replacement of existing vehicles is necessary, provide that replacement is cost effective and within agency resources, said replacement shall be undertaken in accordance with the following Standards:
    • Central Fleet Management worked with all using agencies to confirm that the appropriate number and type of vehicles were in their fleets. In 2003, CFM ordered 135 vehicles. This was 96 vehicles less than the average number of vehicles purchased in 2000, 2001, and 2002. The three year average was 231 vehicles.
    • CFM's fleet size as of 6/30/2003 was 1457. This is a reduction of 66 from 6/30/2002
    • Subcompact and compact sedans shall be replaced with gasoline-electric hybrid technology vehicles and;
      • CFM purchased 22 compact sedans, with 6 being hybrids (27%).
    • All other passenger vehicles shall meet a 30 miles per gallon or greater fuel efficiency (highway) rating and be certified as an ultra low emissions vehicle of cleaner.
      • Thirty eight (38) out of the 40 passenger sedans and wagons purchased meet the 30 MPG of greater requirement. The two that did not meet the benchmark were itermediate station wagons. The only bid received, and basically the only model available for an "intermediate station wagon" was the Ford Taurus with a highway MPG rating of 26.
      • Tend (10) out of the 40 passenger sedans and wagons purchased meet or exceed the Ultra-lo emission rating.
      • In the compact sedan bid (16 vehicles), the only vehicle bid that met the 30 MPG and Ultra-low emission rating was the Toyota Corolla LE. This vehicle did not meet CFM specifications and with the life cycle cost including fuel MPG added, it would have cost an agency in excess of $3200.00 more than the low bid (in excess of $50,000 for all 16 vehicles).
      • In the intermediate sedan bid (14 vehicles), there were no bids that met the Ultra-low emissions rating. CFM purchased Chevy Impalas (32 MPG) rather than the low bid Buick Century (29 MPG). To reach the 30 MPG or greater rating, the cost to an agency is projected to be and additional $1,681.00 (in excess of $23,000 for all 14 vehicles).
  2. The Department of Administrative and Financial Services in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection shall evaluate heavier duty vehicles, such as trucks and sport utility vehicles, and recommend purchasing criteria for fuel efficiency and emissions standards by January 1, 2004.
    • This has not been completed because fuel efficiency and emission standards have not been published by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This will be completed before the 2004 vehicle bid is awarded.
  3. In addition to fuel efficiency, agencies shall promote the procurement of dedicated alternative fuel vehicles and dual-fuel vehicles and fueling infrastructures to support such vehicles.
    • CFM purchased three diesel trucks for the DEP Response Division with the intent to use bio-diesel. The state has not had bio-diesel fuel infrastructure or repair facilities for bio-diesel-fueled vehicles, so little progress has been maid in this area.
  4. What fuel efficiency is equivalent, agencies shall give preference to the purchase of vehicles with the lowest certified emissions.
    • This was not a factor on the 2003 bid
  5. The Department of Administrative and Financial Services shall ensure these practices are reflected in the administrative purchasing policies and procedures of the state no later than January 15, 2003.
    • These practices were followed on all vehicle purchased after 1/7/2003 and will be included in the revised Purchases Manual.
  6. The Department of Environmental Protections shall assist state agencies in identifying low emission and energy efficient vehicles.
    • DEP has worked with the Division of Purchases and CFM to identify low emission and energy efficient vehicles.

 

This Executive Order is effective on January 7, 2003, and shall sunset on June 30, 2007.