DOING OUR PART:

THE DGS COMMITMENT DURING HURRICANES KATRINA, OPHELIA,&RITA

_{Posted: September 23, 2005 6:00 p.m.}

Doing Our Part:The DGS Commitment During Hurricanes Katrina, Ophelia,&Rita.

As the effects of Hurricane Rita advance through the Gulf States the Department of General Services (DGS) would like to update you on how DGS is responding to these natural disasters and to reassure you about our commitment to the efficient use of the Commonwealth’s resources.

As the operations manager for more than 4000 vehicles in the centralized state owned fleet the DGS is continuing to monitor fuel costs.Increases in gasoline prices will not immediately affect the Commonwealth because the state purchases its fuel through a contract and DGS has been reassured, at this time, the fuel supplier has adequate inventory.

However, it is the long-term effects of these storms that the DGS is preparing for.Our Office of Fleet Management Services is dedicated to proactively addressing such issues as to minimize the negative impact of higher fuel costs on the Commonwealth.Therefore, we are taking measures and implementing processes to safeguard the Commonwealth’s resources and maintain costs at a reasonable level.

• Working on business-specific initiatives, in order to limit the effects of increased fuel costs, the DGS is advising drivers of state owned vehicles to explore other solutions in order to limit and even reduce the amount of travel.By exploring meeting and training alternatives such as teleconferencing, web-based meetings, carpooling to meetings, etc.the affects of increased fuel prices can be limited.
• DGS is currently evaluating the use of gas/electric hybrid vehicles.Ten Ford Escape Hybrids have been purchased and are being tested and used by some state agencies.The DGS is also continuing to test the use of CNG powered vehicles and vehicles capable of using Ethanol (E-85).
• Making information available via informational statements, the customer service number, and the DGS web site is a way we are reaching out to remind everyone to be prudent and efficient when using state vehicles.

Committed to Helping – Hurricane Katrina.

To alleviate the temporary impact of this disaster the DGS has done its part in providing resources and materials.The DGS played a role in the Commonwealth’s overall Hurricane Katrina relief effort, from potentially providing health hazard testing services to shipping necessary items to help.Through the Federal Surplus Property program operated by the DGS, we have shipped:

Planning, Preparing, and Moving Forward.

The long-term effects of Hurricanes Katrina, Ophelia,&Rita on the Commonwealth and its resources may not be realized for months and possibly years.But, as good stewards of some of Virginia’s resources the DGS will continue to plan by anticipating the negative impacts of such disasters; prepare by exploring innovative solutions, such as hybrid vehicles; and move forward with solutions expeditiously in order to minimize costs.The Department of General Services will continue to do its best to serve government and serve Virginians.