Lt. Governor Pat Quinn applauds the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives for plugging in instead of fueling up!
SPRINGFIELD - November 12, 2008. Lt. Governor Pat Quinn joined with Prairie Power, Inc. and the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives to recognize the co-op's participation in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle project. Quinn presented the association with an Environmental Hero Award.
"I salute Prairie Power, Inc. and the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives for investing in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle," Quinn said at the Illinois Association of Electric Cooperatives. "This is just one example of how we can take steps toward reducing our dependency on foreign oil. Drivers who abandon fuel-guzzling vehicles for the electric variety help the environment and their wallets."
The Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives is one of seven co-ops around the nation which joined with the United States Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory to purchase a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Prairie Power, Inc. provided funding for the lithium ion battery pack that was added to the co-op's Toyota Prius in October.
The national average for a regular gallon of gas may be $2.34 right now, but earlier this year gas prices were higher than $4 a gallon. A PHEV can operate on what equates to about $1 per gallon of gas. The AIEC's Prius PHEV averaged more than 80 miles per gallon during its first month of operation. Before converting the Prius to a PHEV, the same vehicle averaged about 40 to 45 miles per gallon.
Quinn was joined by John Freitag, the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives' Vice President of Operations and Greg Nieman, Director of Administrative Services at Prairie Power, Inc. Headquartered in Springfield, the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives serves as a representative for electric cooperatives around the state. Prairie Power, Inc. is a member-owned, not-for-profit, electric generation and transmission cooperative that is located in Jacksonville.
Lt. Governor Quinn serves as the chairman of the Rural Affairs Council and the Illinois Green Governments Coordinating Council, which works with state agencies to develop policies that reduce pollution, promote conservation and integrate green practices into state government operations.
To learn more about Quinn's green initiatives, please visit GreenSolutions.il.gov.