Alternative Fuels Program

Our national pathway to a secure energy future will be composed of making today’s internal combustion engines more efficient, developing home-grown biofuels, plugging in our cars, and harnessing the renewable, pollution-free potential of hydrogen. The next generation of vehicles and fuels is already in sight. Alexander Karsner, U. S. Department of Energy

SECO's Alternative Fuels Program demonstrates the positive environmental impact, technical feasibility and energy efficiency of domestically-produced alternative fuels. The program promotes Texas’ energy security and air quality by supporting public and private partnerships that deploy clean-burning alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and build their associated fueling infrastructure. 

The Alternative Fuels Program thrives on strong local initiatives and a flexible approach to building alternative fuels markets, providing participants with options to address problems unique to their cities and fostering partnerships to help overcome them. Originally the Alternative Fuels Program was designed to help state agencies operate more of their fleets on alternative fuels, but through SECO’s expanded initiatives, schools, local governments and private fleets are now involved. Initiatives include support for the Clean Cities Program, financial assistance for a secondary school course curriculum in energy basics and alternative fuels, and the Adopt-A-Bus Program and Clean School Bus USA Program. Through its award-winning Clean Cities Program, SECO promotes the reduction of petroleum use through four new technology elements: fuel blends, fuel economy, hybrids and idle reduction.

Alternative fuels are substantially non-petroleum and yield energy security and environmental benefits. As defined by the Energy Policy Act of 1993 (EPAct) DOE currently recognizes the following as alternative fuels:

• Methanol, denatured ethanol, and other alcohols.
• Mixtures containing 85% or more by volume of methanol, denatured ethanol, and other alcohols with gasoline or other fuels.
• Natural gas: compressed (CNG) or liquefied (LNG).
• Liquefied petroleum gas (propane).
• Hydrogen
• Coal-derived liquid fuels.
• Non-alcohol fuels (such as biodiesel) derived from biological material
• Electricity (including electricity from solar energy).
• 100% Biodiesel (B100)

'P-Series' fuels were subsequently added to the original EPAct alternative fuels definition. These are fuels designed by the Pure Fuel Corporation to run in E85/gasoline flexible fuel vehicles.

Energy Efficiency Recognition

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and The State Energy Conservation Office have implemented a program to recognize public institutions for their efforts to reduce energy consumption and improve air quality, while saving tax dollars. A public institution can be nominated by a third party or self-nominated. To nominate a public institution, submit this Energy Efficiency Nomination form to provide contact information and a brief narrative describing the institution’s projects and efforts. Recognition will be granted based on the submission. After the nomination has been reviewed and approved, the public institution will receive a letter and a certificate recognizing their efforts. If you have questions regarding this program, please email Glenn Jennings.

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