Peak Oil Task Force Report - City of Bloomington - State of Indiana

MEDIUM­TERM (5­15 years)
1. The Police Department should consider ways in which it might transition
pursuit vehicles away from fossil fuel reliance.
Most patrol cars used by the City are Ford Crown Victoria models. The City should explore
pursuit cars that are not reliant on fossil fuels. While we’ve described why biodiesel is not a
remedy for the advent of peak oil, we will have to look toward interim remedies that help
us bridge the gap to energy independence. The BPD could reduce its reliance on petroleum
by shifting in the short‐term to a biodiesel pursuit vehicle. For example, Carbon Motors
offers a full‐spec pursuit car that can run on biodiesel.
2. The Police Department should replace a number of patrol cars with electric cars.
There are few locations in the city where a high‐speed chase is likely to occur. As part of
the shift away from car culture, streets could be made unsafe for vehicular traffic above a
certain speed (for example, 35 miles‐per‐hour). Traffic calming, narrower roads, more
pedestrian‐friendly roads, and a denser settlement pattern will make automotive hijinks
rather difficult and far less likely. Small electric patrol vehicles might be adequate when
combined with a few big cruisers and coordination with the Monroe County Sheriff’s
Department.
3. Provide additional first responders and EMTs.
As most of the Fire Department’s calls are for medical events, it may be prudent to add
more first responders and EMTs staff and to purchase an energy‐efficient dual‐use
fire/EMT vehicle that runs on biodiesel or another non‐fossil fuel.
elastomer degradation and no changes are recommended. If a fuel system does contain these materials and
users wish to fuel with blends over B20, replacement with compatible elastomers is needed.” Guidance on
Blends Above B20, http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/Biodiesel_Blends_Above%20_20_Final.pdf.
Report of the Bloomington Peak Oil Task Force
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