One-Star Ohio Green Fleets

Serving the city of Canton Ohio, Canton Local Schools operates a fleet of 29 buses.  Through the district’s efforts to improve the performance of these vehicles, Canton Local Schools has been able to retrofit its entire fleet with diesel particulate filters and diesel oxidation catalysts. These steps have cut the fleet’s production of diesel particulate matter and other harmful emissions significantly, providing cleaner air for students as well as the community. Clean Fuels Ohio recognizes this commitment to clean air by certifying Canton Local Schools as a One-Star Ohio Green Fleet.

Specializing in refrigerated and dedicated freight, Continental Express places a strong emphasis on being an outstanding regional over-the-road carrier.  With over 200 tractors and more than 400 trailers, Continental’s fleet represents a sizable investment.  Continental has gone to considerable lengths to improve the efficiency of its fleet by implementing a range of different strategies—including outfitting vehicles with numerous aerodynamic technologies, reducing vehicle weight, implementing more fuel efficient tires, adopting idle reduction technologies, and introducing blended biodiesel fuel.  Clean Fuels Ohio commends Continental Express for their actions and is proud to certify them as a One-Star Ohio Green Fleet. 

Dominion is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy, with an extensive portfolio of generation and transmission facilities.  The company operates the nation's largest natural gas storage facility and serves retail energy customers in 12 states. Dominion operates a fleet of 1200 vehicles within Ohio, 296 of which operate on compressed natural gas making it the largest single CNG fleet in the state.  Based on the emissions and petroleum reductions achieved through the deployment of these vehicles, Clean Fuels Ohio is proud to certify Dominion as a One-Star Ohio Green Fleet.

Dutch Maid Logistics is a family owned and operated trucking company based in Willard, Ohio. As a third year EPA Smartway partner, Dutch Maid Logistics has reduced vehicle weight by over 900 lbs., added efficient auto-inflated tires, and accelerated the purchase of new vehicles equipped with state-of-the-art aerodynamic profiles. All Dutch Maid’s vehicles are equipped with bunk heaters to reduce idling and to further idling reductions the company has begun adding auxiliary power units to its entire fleet. In addition, Dutch Maid nearly eliminates out-of-route idling and deadhead miles through the use of routing software and improved its efficiency by employing automatically inflated, single-wide tires. Clean Fuels Ohio applauds these efforts and is pleased to recognize Dutch Maid Logistics as a One-Star Ohio Green fleet.

Serving its students with a fleet of 41 buses, Lancaster City Schools was awarded a grant in 2007 which allowed the entire fleet to be retrofitted with diesel oxidation catalysts. In order to combat idling, nine of the buses utilize pre-heaters, and all are programmed to shut down after more than 10 minutes idle time. These efforts have resulted in emissions reductions benefiting the health of the district’s students and earning Lancaster City Schools certification as a One-Star Ohio Green Fleet.

Located in Alliance, Ohio, Marlington Local School district encompasses five schools serving grades K-12. With a fleet of 40 vehicles, Marlington Local Schools has worked to reduce their vehicle emissions by retrofitting 80% of their bus fleet with emissions control devices including diesel particulate filters, diesel oxidation catalysts, and closed crank case ventilation systems. These retrofits not only reduce the pollutants Marlington’s buses put into the air but also help to reduce the in-cabin emissions for its student passengers. Clean Fuels Ohio applauds these efforts and is pleased to recognize Marlington Local Schools as a One-Star Ohio Green fleet.

“Working with Ohio Green Fleet has been a good experience and has helped equip us with the knowledge we need to keep our drivers informed and aware of what idling can do.” -Shelley Aumend, Marlington Administration Office

With its central office and 12 Districts spread throughout the State, the Ohio Department of Transportation represents an extremely diverse fleet of numerous vehicles. While all overseen by the same central administration, ODOT’s districts represent distinctly managed fleets—each with their own unique characteristics. In 2005 Governor Taft signed an Executive Order mandating ODOT to use annually increasing amounts of biodiesel fuel. While ODOT is implementing this order, several districts are far exceeding the Governor’s mandate, replacing between 30 and 70% of their diesel fuel purchases with B20 biodiesel fuel. In addition, each of the Ohio Green Fleet certified districts has enforced a strong anti-idling policy resulting in significantly reduced emissions and petroleum consumption.

Working with Ohio Green Fleets to certify seven districts – Districts 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 22 – was just the first step of ODOT’s plan to transform their dump truck fleet. Since being certified as a One-Start Ohio Green Fleet, ODOT will be applying for additional designations for the remainder of the dump fleet. ODOT has installed 80 dump trucks throughout the state with DOC and CCV technology to reduce emissions, and is in the process of retrofitting 31 additional dump trucks in the Ashland, Cleveland, and Akron areas with DPF technology. ODOT is continually researching ways to be seen as a leader in protecting the environment in Ohio.

Serving Erie, Lorain, Huron, Crawford, Richland, Ashland, Wayne, and Medina Counties, ODOT District 3 is comprised of a fleet of more than 147 vehicles. By burning B20 biodiesel nearly 70% of the time in applicable vehicles as well as ensuring the observance of a strong anti-idling policy, ODOT District 3 has distinguished itself for environmental fleet performance. Based on this work, Clean Fuels Ohio is pleased to certify ODOT District 3 as a One-Star Ohio Green Fleet.

The Ohio State University’s Campus Area Bus Service provides efficient campus-wide transportation to students, faculty, staff and visitors. The Campus Area Bus Service operates a fleet of 36 transit and paratransit buses, all of which operate on B20 biodiesel year round. By utilizing B20 biodiesel, the University is helping to support domestically produced energy sources as well as burning a cleaner fuel. Clean Fuels Ohio applauds these efforts and is proud to certify the Ohio State University Campus Area Bus Service as a One-Star Ohio Green Fleet.

Video: OSU Campus Area Bus Service and Clean Fuels Ohio 2/9/11 - Jared Hampshire talks about his organizations work with Clean Fuels Ohio, the benefits of alternative fuels, and becoming a designated Ohio Green Fleet.

Located in Northeast Ohio, South Euclid-Lyndhurst City Schools operates a fleet of 26 active school buses to transport its students. By enforcing a strict anti-idling policy and retrofitting 14 vehicles with diesel oxidation catalysts, the district has been able to achieve significant reductions in its vehicle emissions. South Euclid-Lyndhurst City Schools’ efforts have helped clean the air and earned the district its certification as a One-Star Ohio Green Fleet.

Located in St. Marys Ohio, St. Marys City Schools operates a fleet of 26 buses. Through its efforts, 15 of these buses have been retrofitted with diesel oxidation catalysts and closed crankcase ventilation systems, significantly reducing harmful tailpipe emissions. In addition, St. Marys operates its fleet on B20 biodiesel throughout the majority of the year—adding increased emissions benefits and as well as helping to minimize the fleet’s petroleum use. In recognition of these achievements, Clean Fuels Ohio is proud to certify St. Marys City Schools as a One-Star Ohio Green Fleet.

"Our relationship with Clean Fuels has been helpful and hopefully, will pay dividends in the future. As for cost savings, our switch to B20 gave us a three quarter mile per gallon fuel economy increase which more than offset the cost differential between B20 and ULSD." -Dan Grothause, Transportation Supervisor, St. Marys City Schools