CHICAGO - Illinois-based utility ComEd (Commonwealth Edison Company) is making a major effort to reduce idling among its fleet of 3,100 vehicles with its 12 Ways to Green campaign, which aims to educate customers about ways to save money and reduce their carbon footprint.

According to the company, if vehicle idling were reduced by one hour per day among ComEd’s vehicle fleet, the company could reduce an estimated 4.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year and save $724,000 in fuel costs. ComEd stated that it is further reducing greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing alternative fuel vehicles such as hybrids and soy-based biodiesels in its fleet. ComEd said it was among the first utilities in the country to add hybrid bucket trucks to its fleet. The hybrid truck uses a battery instead of the engine to operate the bucket, eliminating idling time.

Avoiding vehicle idling is the latest in ComEd’s 12 Ways to Green campaign, which aims to educate customers about ways to save money and reduce their carbon footprint. This campaign also supports Exelon 2020, an aggressive environmental strategy by ComEd’s parent company, Exelon, to reduce, offset, or displace more than 15 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year by 2020.

“Vehicle idling wastes fuel, and excessive idling can actually damage an engine’s components,” said George Malek, ComEd Energy Doctor.

ComEd has also made a commitment to creating a green fleet, which comprises 2,100 vehicles out of its total fleet of 3,100 vehicles.

• 1,774 trucks that use biodiesel fuel (20% soybean oil, 80% diesel)

• 250 E85 flex-fuel vehicles capable of being fueled with ethanol

• 91 hybrid Ford Escape SUVs

• 40 Prius hybrids

• 10 Prius Plug-in hybrid electrical vehicles (PHEV)

• 12 biodiesel-electric hybrid bucket truck

The company’s 12 Ways to Green campaign also supports Exelon 2020, an environmental strategy by ComEd’s parent company, Exelon, to reduce, offset, or displace more than 15 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year by 2020.