skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

On World AIDS Day, New Mexico activists say more money is needed for prevention; ND farmers still navigate corporate land-ownership policy maze; Unpaid caregivers in ME receive limited financial grants.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Secretary of State Antony Blinken urges Israel to protect civilians amid Gaza truce talks, New York Rep. George Santos defends himself as his expected expulsion looms and CDC director warns about respiratory illness as flu season begins.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Congress has iced the Farm Bill, but farmer advocates argue some portions are urgent, the Hoosier State is reaping big rewards from wind and solar, and opponents react to a road through Alaska's Brooks Range, long a dream destination for hunters and anglers.

Report Touts Transitioning AZ's Gov't-Fleet Vehicles to Electric

play audio
Play

Tuesday, June 27, 2023   

A new report found Arizona could save taxpayers $283 million if state and local governments transition their light-duty fleets to electric vehicles over the next decade.

According to the Arizona Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, if the state and its local governments replaced the nearly 20,000 light-duty fleet vehicles which are set to retire over the next decade with EVs, taxpayers would save big.

The move would also help mitigate pollution from gas- and diesel-powered cars and trucks contributing to poor air quality in the state.

Diane Brown, executive director of the Arizona PIRG and co-author of the report, said buying, fueling and maintaining gas- and diesel-fueled fleet vehicles is a "big expense." She argued state and local leaders need to take action independently and collaboratively.

"To accomplish this the state and local governments should develop bold fleet electrification plans," Brown asserted.

Brown recognizes the transition to electric would require "significant" upfront investment, but added incentives such as the Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit, which offers savings of up to $7,500 per light-duty vehicle or $40,000 per heavy-duty vehicle for purchases of EVs by government or private fleets, can help offset costs.

The findings released today follow a report published last October, which examined how 10 of Arizona's largest cities and towns could save a total of approximately $80 billion by replacing their light-duty vehicles with EVs.

Brown pointed out the transition to electric will also help contribute to better air quality and public health outcomes, and added now is the time to commit to the transition.

"By transitioning to electric vehicles, there will be improvements in our air and also for individuals that suffer from asthma or other respiratory issues," Brown contended.

The report stated there are benefits to cooperation for governments and agencies electrifying their fleets and can achieve cost savings by pooling purchases of vehicles and equipment, and advocating for policies to eliminate barriers.

Disclosure: The Arizona Public Interest Research Group Education Fund contributes to our fund for reporting on Civic Engagement, Consumer Issues, Energy Policy, and Urban Planning/Transportation. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
The Economic Policy Institute found the number of child labor law violations increased from 1,012 in 2015 to 3,876 in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A bill in Congress with a Connecticut House sponsor aims to reduce child labor in the United States. Called the "Children Harmed in Life-Threatening …


Social Issues

play sound

As the opioid crisis continues, more New Hampshire grandparents are seeking financial help to raise their grandchildren. Already struggling with the …

Social Issues

play sound

As of Jan. 1, insulin will become a lot more affordable for many Nebraskans, and those who have come to rely on telehealth visits are more likely to …


Extremes of hot and cold weather have taken their toll on a concrete barrier along Binghamton's Riverwalk. Concrete crumbles between the stones of the wall in upstate New York. (Chet Wiker/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Some state and local lawmakers are on a long list calling on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to require big oil companies to help offset the costs of …

Environment

play sound

Utilities and government agencies in the U.S. are carrying out plans to transition to cleaner electricity sources. To avoid being left behind…

More than 45,000 Washingtonians are diagnosed with diabetes each year, according to estimates. (Chinnapong/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

November has been Diabetes Awareness Month - but heading into the holidays, people who are diabetic know they can't lose their focus on keeping it in …

Environment

play sound

Conservation groups are celebrating a long-fought battle to protect the dwindling population of wolverine in the Northwest and northern Rockies…

Environment

play sound

As world leaders gather in Dubai for the international conference on climate change, the City of Long Beach is acting on multiple fronts to help the …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021