BP America Donates Solar Vehicles to Georgia DNR

Vehicles will be used at Sweetwater Creek State Park and Little White House

ATLANTA— Governor Sonny Perdue today accepted the donation of two solar-powered vehicles from BP America.  The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will use these vehicles at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Lithia Springs and Roosevelt’s Little White House Historic Site in Warm Springs. 

“I want to thank BP America for the donation of these solar-powered vehicles,” said Governor Perdue.  “Mike Kumpf has been an active advocate for alternative energy sources and served as a member of our Energy Council.  This donation reinforces their corporate commitment to environmental stewardship through the use of solar energy.”

The vehicles are exceptionally powerful yet quiet ATVs retrofitted with solar panels.  The sun’s energy, rather than conventional electrical outlets, will recharge their batteries.  BP is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of solar panels, and the company attaches them to traditional ATVs as a way to showcase one application of harnessing solar energy.

"BP is happy to make two solar utility vehicles available to the state for use in our state's parks,” said Mike Kumpf, BP Director State Government Affairs.  “The vehicles represent our continuing effort to develop alternative sources of energy as solar, wind, hydrogen -- as well as additional research into alternative fuels through our Energy Biosciences Institute.  It is our goal to pursue these alternative energy resources to supplement existing petroleum and natural gas resources."

DNR decided to use these vehicles at Sweetwater Creek State Park and Roosevelt’s Little White House because both locations are models of environmental sustainability.  Sweetwater Creek’s visitor center is one of the most eco-friendly buildings in Georgia, earning Platinum LEED Certification for its solar power, natural lighting, waterless toilets, flower-covered roof and other initiatives.  Awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED means Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design.  The visitor center at Roosevelt’s Little White House Historic Site opened spring 2004 and is Silver LEED certified.  Some of the innovative features include a reflective roof coating, rainwater capture and re-use, low-flow plumbing fixtures, local and regional building materials, and waste management that prevented 94 percent of construction waste from going to landfills.

Using solar-powered vehicles eliminates emissions of volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide, which can be much higher in off-road vehicles like ATVs than in cars or even some sport utility vehicles. 

“We appreciate this donation from BP and look forward to putting them into operation at our parks,” said DNR State Parks Director Becky Kelley.  “They showcase one more thing that corporations and state agencies can do toward reducing greenhouse emissions and being good stewards of our planet.”

DNR also is active in other initiatives aimed at reducing harmful emissions from vehicles such as the Clean Air Campaign and Clean Cities.  DNR’s Environmental Protection Division also is working with school systems and other diesel fleets to use bio-diesel. 

For more information about Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites, call 1-800-864-7275 or visit www.gastateparks.org.  To learn more about BP’s solar panels, contact Mike Kumpf at 770-850-0969.