Lexi Overholt and Scott Overholt Traverse City Commission Meeting - July
Propane as a Cost-Effective Alternative for Traverse City’s Climate Goals
Scott & Lexi Overholt, Tri-Gas Distributing:
We acknowledge the city’s good work on the Traverse City Climate Action Plan. Its goal is to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050.
However, our only concern is that the plan seems to be too reliant on the electrification of everything.
For example, the Traverse City Climate Plan aims to transition its schools’ 100-diesel school bus fleet to electric school buses.
Yet replacing those diesel school buses with electric buses will cost the city around $40 million. In contrast, if we purchase propane buses instead, it will only cost around $10 million.
Importantly, Michigan already has a long history of using propane vehicles. In fact, there are over 33,000 of them on Michigan roads.
Overall, we agree with most of the reasons that are driving the growth of electric vehicles. Nonetheless, propane deserves a seat at the table as a clean, affordable, and proven alternative.
Propane Vehicles Are Already Delivering Results in Northern Michigan
- Our local Benzie Bus operator is helping us meet Traverse City’s Climate Plan goals.
- Currently, their fleet of 20 propane-fueled transport vehicles is saving taxpayers a significant amount of money. This is because propane is cheaper than diesel, engines require less maintenance, and performance remains strong, with comparable power and torque to diesel engines.
- Meanwhile, since 2016, the Bay Area Transportation Authority’s propane fleet has cut Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions by over 90%. These pollutants, emitted by older diesel buses, are known to worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions.
Beyond our region, scientists and human rights groups are raising growing concerns about the environmental and ethical costs of electric vehicles. In the Congo, where 75% of the world’s cobalt supply originates, militia-controlled mines are using children and adults under hazardous conditions to extract this critical battery ingredient.
- Lexi and Scott want to thank the Mayor and our commissioners for letting us present today.
Tri-Gas Distributing opened in Traverse City during the May 1947 snow storm, just in time to keep area family’s homes warm.
Traverse City Bus Company uses clean running propane buses, saving taxpayer dollars and reducing emissions in the city
The Congo supplies about 75% of the world’s cobalt in electric vehicles. They are using children, their parents and other adults to mine the key ingredient.
