LIVONIA, MI - Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the selection of 25 cost-share projects under the Clean Cities program that will be funded with nearly $300 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These projects will speed the transformation of the nation's vehicle fleet, putting more than 9,000 alternative fuel and energy efficient vehicles on the road, and establishing 542 refueling locations across the country. The Department of Energy also estimates they will help displace approximately 38 million gallons of petroleum per year.

Propane-fueled vehicles, such as the ROUSH Liquid Propane Injection F-250 and F-350 are included among the approved grants.

Motorsports legend Jack Roush has long been a supporter of adopting propane as a motor fuel, and sees today's announcement as a positive first step towards greater adoption of this alternative fuel.

"Today is the type of day that I am proud to be an American," Roush said. "Propane has so many positive aspects and it is finally getting the recognition it deserves as an alternative fuel that is available right here, right now. Propane can help to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. Propane can help to clean up our environment. And propane can help to create new 'Green Collar Jobs' for displaced auto workers who can return to the lines to build alternative fuel vehicles."

Secretary Chu echoed these benefits during today's announcement, stating, "The Clean Cities program is helping give state and local governments the tools they need to build a greener transportation system that will create new jobs and help to put America on the path to a clean energy future. Advancing the number of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles on the road will increase our energy security, decrease our dependence on oil, and reduce pollution across the country."

Propane is already the third most popular motor fuel (behind gasoline and diesel), and there are already more than 10 million propane-fueled vehicles on roads across the world. However, here in the United States only 200,000 vehicles are propane-fueled, but the Clean Cities Grants will help to increase those numbers over the coming months.

On the topic of propane, Roush said, "It's as American as NASCAR. More than 90 percent of the propane used in the United States is produced in North America, much of it from the U.S. natural gas supply. You can get it anywhere you buy propane for your barbecue grill, RV, or home heating unit."

And as a green fuel, on average, propane fleet vehicles reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 19 percent and create 20-percent less nitrogen oxide, up to 60-percent less carbon monoxide, and fewer particulate emissions, compared to gasoline.