Eleven organizations in South Carolina will share more than $4.5 million awarded through the South Carolina Budget and Control Board’s State Energy Office to convert vehicles to run on new fuels and to build the state’s network of alternative vehicle refueling stations.

A total of 361 vehicles will be refitted to operate with either propane, compressed natural gas (CNG) or hybrid technology. In addition, 71 refueling stations will be built to service these vehicles, most of which will be available for public use, including ethanol, biodiesel, propane and compressed natural gas facilities. 

“These funds will reduce harmful emissions by promoting the use of alternative vehicles and creating jobs in our state,” Ashlie Lancaster of the South Carolina Energy Office said.

The Energy Office partnered with the Triangle J Council of Governments in North Carolina to apply for this Clean Cities grant. A total of $300 million was awarded nationally to 25 organizations to expand the use of alternative fueled vehicles and advanced technology vehicles throughout the country. 

Projects funded in South Carolina are:

• $1.99 million to Palmetto Gas, Farmers Telephone, City of Sumter, Sumter County Smoak and Superior Services to convert 300 vehicles to operate with propane and install three propane refueling stations
• $850,000 to Spinx Company to install 18 ethanol refueling stations and 8 biodiesel stations in Greenville, Anderson, Spartanburg and Oconee
• $350,250 to the City of Rock Hill to convert five city vehicles to operate with compressed natural gas and to install compressed natural gas, biodiesel and ethanol refueling stations
• $240,000 to Plug In Carolina to install 32 plug-in electric recharging stations in Charleston, Greenville, Spartanburg and Columbia
• $164,125 to M&M Oil and Propane of Charleston, the City of Charleston and Jones Ford to convert 19 vehicles to operate with propane and install two propane refueling stations
• $117,800 to the University of South Carolina to convert 13 vehicles to operate with propane and to a install propane refueling station
• $101,900 to Anderson County to convert 13 county vehicles to operate with propane and to install a propane refueling station
• $94,100 to the City of Greenville to convert 10 city vehicles to operate with propane and to install a propane refueling station
• $85,145 to Midlands Biofuels of Winnsboro to install a biodiesel refueling and blending station
• $65,672 to International Mobile Equipment, Co. of Greenville to convert one heavy-duty truck to a hybrid vehicle
• $52,000 to OM Biofuels LLC of Charleston to install a biodiesel refueling station

These projects will reduce the petroleum use in both North and South Carolina, helping save more than 724,000 gallons per year while reducing air pollution.