AT&T to invest in 8,000 compressed natural gas vehicles

Fantastic! Here is a company that “gets it”!!

AT&T announced today it will invest an estimated $350 million to purchase about 8,000 Compressed Natural Gas (“CNG”) vehicles which represents the largest U.S. corporate commitment to CNG vehicles to date. The company plans to invest another $215 million to begin replacing its passenger cars with alternative-fuel models.

The Center for Automotive Research states that the new vehicles will save 49 million gallons of gas and reduce carbon emissions by 211,000 metric tons over the 10-year deployment period. CNG vehicles are expected to emit approximately 25 percent less greenhouse gas emissions compared to vehicles powered by gasoline.

It is important to note that this conversion goes beyond a significant positive environmental benefit, but also provides a economic benefit as well. Randall Stephenson, chairman and chief executive officer of AT&T Inc. stated:

“AT&T and other U.S. corporations have a unique opportunity to partner with the new administration as it works to lead the country out of this economic downturn. While there are no easy solutions to the challenges facing our nation, this investment is a first step on our part to help boost other industries while at the same time encouraging wider use and production of efficient vehicles and domestic fuel alternatives.”

AT&T’s investment will hopefully resonate with companies in Canada. In the telecom sector, Bell Canada, Rogers, Shaw Cable and Telus could all make similar commitments and  invest their massive oligopoly profits into converting and buying energy effecient CNG vehicles in Canada. They would reduce long term costs, give a boost to the Canadian auto industry and we could all breath a little easier when we pay our expensive telecom bills. Think about how many other corporations are out there with more then a hundred vehicles in their corporate fleet. The change could have a really positive impact while making good investment sense.

So congratulations Mr. Stephenson!! A great corporate citizen of the USA! You have made a positive contribution to the environment and your economy. Shareholders and consumers will reward AT&T for reducing operating costs through fuel efficiencies while making a positive contribution to the environment and economy at the same time.

AT&T Press Release: “AT&T to Deploy More Than 15,000 Alternative-Fuel Vehicles”