Our success story this week takes us to Caldwell, Idaho, where a small county vehicle fleet has made a big commitment to running clean and green. Boasting the only ethanol-gasoline blending pump in the state, the Canyon County fleet of Ford Fusions and Crown Victoria police cruisers fuel up on domestically-produced ethanol. Anti-idling technology reduces fuel consumption even more as lights, radios, and critical police equipment are run by a trunk-mounted battery when on the scene at emergencies. The engine only has to run for short periods to recharge the system. Canyon County’s fuel saving efforts also eliminate some 1.4 million pounds of harmful carbon dioxide emissions annually.

MARK TOLMAN: Between E85 and the idle reduction program, we’ve been able to save over $105,000 in fuel this year.

As budgets get tighter, Canyon County has found innovative solutions that prove preserving the environment while also saving the bottom line can still go hand in hand.

For more information, please visit the Clean Cities website. You can also view recent segments by clicking here.