Alternative Fuel Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

The Virginia Offices of the Secretary of Administration and the Secretary of Natural Resources released a PPP solicitation outlining their interest in forming partnerships with and among alternative fuel providers, infrastructure developers, vehicle manufacturers, and other alternative fuel industry stakeholders to expand fueling infrastructure and to support alternative fuel use in the commonwealth fleet. By May 2012, the Virginia Department of General Services and the Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy was required to make a recommendation on whether the commonwealth should establish more formal PPP agreements to accomplish the overall goal of transitioning commonwealth vehicles to alternative fuels. As a result of that solicitation, the commonwealth entered into contracts with two companies to provide compressed natural gas (CNG) and propane fuel, fueling infrastructure, vehicle conversions, maintenance and training. The governor also issued an Executive Directive to implement a plan for using the contracts to transition the commonwealth’s vehicles from gasoline to CNG and propane. (Reference Executive Directive 5, 2012, and Executive Order 36, 2011)