The Great Lakes Zephyr - Wind Energy & Hydrogen Journal

UW-Madison News Release--Gas-can exchange

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1/24/05

CONTACT: Alan Fish, (608) 262-3488, afish@fpm.wisc.edu; Rob Kennedy, (608) 263-3027, rkennedy@fpm.wisc.edu



UW FUNDS GAS-CAN EXCHANGE TO MAINTAIN AIR QUALITY



MADISON - As part of an effort to maintain air quality, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has offered to fund a program to provide about 4,400 environmentally friendly gasoline containers free to Dane County residents.



The university will pay for the $20,000 gas-can exchange program as part of an agreement to offset emissions at the new West Campus Cogeneration Facility, and in its continuing commitment to control the release of ozone-causing pollutants.



"As a founding member of the Dane County Clean Air Coalition, we have made it a priority to fight ozone and keep our air healthy," says Alan Fish, associate vice chancellor for facilities. "This exchange program will help encourage that ethic by replacing old gas cans with low-emission cans."



The funding offer is scheduled to go before the Dane County Board's Finance Committee for action this evening (Monday, Jan. 24). The money would also be used in joint programs with the city of Madison.



Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk says, "We are delighted to work with the university to help distribute gas cans at annual spring and other events associated with gardening, including the distribution of composters."



Unlike older gas cans, which can leak pollutants, several new models are designed with shutoff valves and closures that can cut the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - an ingredient in ozone - by 75 percent.



Conventional gas cans, like those used by homeowners to store fuel for lawn mowers and other power equipment, account for a significant amount of ozone-forming emissions daily. Estimates show that the exchange program could cut the emission of VOCs by 46.7 tons during the next five years.



The old cans would be disposed of properly to safeguard the environment.



The program fulfills part of an agreement with the community in association with construction of the West Campus Cogeneration Facility, a partnership among the university, Madison Gas and Electric, and the state.



It also fits with the university's commitment to the Dane County Clean Air Coalition, which has brought together government agencies and businesses to voluntarily help reduce emissions and avert stricter regulation that accompanies higher ozone levels.



Last summer, the campus implemented a variety of pollution-fighting practices aimed to assist in the communitywide campaign.



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- Dennis Chaptman, (608) 262-9406, dchaptman@wisc.edu



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University Communications

University of Wisconsin-Madison

27 Bascom Hall

500 Lincoln Drive

Madison, WI 53706



Phone: (608) 262-3571

Fax: (608) 262-2331