St. Paul Unveils Environmentally Friendly Public Works Vehicles

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- The City of St. Paul added 10 new environmentally-friendly utility vehicles to their public works fleet, including street sweepers, clam trucks and aerial lifts.

The total cost for the new vehicles is just under $2 million, which was paid for by the city and grants provided by Project Green Fleet, an Environmental Initiative program that replaces inefficient diesel engines and vehicles at a reduced cost to businesses and cities to improve air quality throughout Minnesota.

Bill Droessler spoke at the unveiling of the new vehicles Monday saying by adding these 10 trucks, it is equal to removing more than 20,000 cars from the road.

Although the department of health says the air quality is good in Minnesota right now, these trucks are still helping many Minnesotan's breathe better.

"Even low levels and moderate levels of air pollution can cause serious health impacts including death and cardiopulmonary events," said Jessie Shmool, with MDH.

This new fleet is a small part of a bigger plan for St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter.

"We're still committed to our plan here in St. Paul to make our city carbon neutral by 2050 and this an important part of that plan," said Carter.

Carter says next he plans to make more city passenger cars electric.