Mayor Anthony A. Williams today inaugurated the District's first full-service, 24-hour, fully-automated fueling station at DPW's Fleet Management Administration complex at 1835 West Virginia Avenue, NE. Among its many innovations, the high-tech station is the first municipal fueling site to offer not only unleaded gasoline and diesel, but also compressed natural gas (CNG) for the 165 alternative fuel vehicles in the city's fleet.

CNG is a fossil fuel that produces 80 percent fewer emissions than reformulated gasoline. In addition to its environmental benefits, CNG also costs slightly less at the pump, providing fuel savings for the District's fleet.

The station is self-contained and fully-automated, allowing 24-hour access. A special computerized system within the service station equipment is able to "ID" authorized vehicles, dispense the driver-specified fuel and fluids (motor oil, antifreeze, hydraulic fluid), and electronically capture product data. Conversely, unauthorized vehicles will be unable to receive fuel or fluids. Drivers may also perform other simple maintenance, such as washing and vacuuming vehicles and checking tires.

Opening the $ 2.5 million fuel site is the latest milestone in a three-year renovation of Fleet Management Administration facilities and services that began in 1999 at the Mayor's request. Other improvements have included consolidating and modernizing fleet operations and instituting a nighttime preventive maintenance program.

"DPW's goal is ensuring availability of trash packers, school buses, street sweepers, emergency and police vehicles, and snow equipment," said Director, Leslie Hotaling. "Customers who bring vehicles to the shop for maintenance will now be able to also fuel and wash their vehicles here and return to District government business with as little downtime as possible."

New Service Station At-A-Glance:

Fueling and Fluids

• 8 unleaded and diesel fuel pumps
• 12 direct access lines for hydraulic, anti-freeze and motor oil dispensing
• Around-the clock fuel availability at a secure and central location in the New York Avenue corridor
• Compressed Natural Gas pump (to be expanded later)

Automated Dispensing and Electronic Reporting

• Automated "ring" and key technology system - Information is downloaded from the site's central processing unit to Fleet Services computer, including the type and amount of fuel dispensed, site location, date and time and time of fueling, vehicle ID and the odometer reading.

• System generates reports fleet-wide, by vehicle or by department

Car Wash

Vehicles may be quickly cleaned and washed on site, thereby enhancing appearance and useful life