Special fuel-testing truck to hit county roads

A Ford F-150 truck will run on local roads later this year to test a fuel combination that could cut polluting exhaust gases to zero.

Since Southern Nevada does not meet clean air standards for either carbon monoxide or particles, the alternative fuel that combines compressed natural gas and hydrogen could save the Las Vegas Valley's air quality.

The truck will become part of Clark County's fleet. NRG Technologies Inc. developed the renewable, sustainable and nonfossil fuel at its Reno laboratory.

The county has previously tested vehicles with engines that run on compressed natural gas, which improves air quality but does not eliminate pollutants from vehicles. Those vehicles still rely on fossil fuels.

NRG scientists in charge of modifying the truck believe that the exhaust will contain no measurable carbon monoxide and extremely low nitrogen oxide emissions without compromising on-the-road performance.

Clark County will serve as project manager, administer grant funds and coordinate research efforts. Other partners include the Nevada Test Site Development Corp., Desert Research Institute and the State Energy Office.

Last month the county's Department of Comprehensive Planning received from Public Technologies Inc. the 1999 Urban Consortium Applied Energy Grant for $60,000 to test the fuel. The project's budget is $120,000.

"We see this as advancing alternative fuel technologies, a means to establish a hydrogen-fuel corridor in the Las Vegas Valley and as a mechanism for economic development and diversification," Kenneth Doran, the county's project administrator, said.

The nonprofit NTS Development Corp. will support NRG as it modifies the truck, Tim Carlson, corporation president, said.

DRI, the research arm of the University of Nevada System, will analyze emissions before and after the vehicle's makeover.

DRI scientists are working with NRG and the corporation to develop hydrogen-enriched technology that would eliminate air pollution for thousands of commercial and industrial electric customers.

The state's energy office will support a refueling facility and monitor the technology.

In 1998 NRG modified a Ford Crown Victoria sedan, tested in Reno. The car is now in Las Vegas for use by Clark County as part of its educational outreach demonstrations of cleaner fuel.

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