U.S. Postal Service fleet going green

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Citizens across the country will soon see new, alternative-fuel vehicles delivering their mail, thanks to nearly $130 million from federal stimulus funds.

The United States Postal Service has already started shipping the first of the 6,500 new delivery vehicles to post offices across the country. The postal service has a fleet of about 220,000 vehicles.

The USPS constantly works to sustain environmental resources, agency spokeswoman Darlene Casey said.

"We are serious about the environment," she told The Examiner on Thursday. "We are happy to receive the vehicles."

Casey said the postal service was excited about both the new vehicles' good gas mileage and general environmental friendliness.

The new vehicles will replace older models and will be a mixture of ethanol-compatible and hybrid vehicles, as well as fuel-efficient four-cylinder vehicles.

The USPS has previously won awards for its environmental and sustainability efforts. It is the only federal agency that has a department of sustainability, Casey said.

"This is a unique opportunity for the Postal Service to continue work on our goals for improved fuel economy, greenhouse gas reductions, and on our position as an environmental leader," Vehicle Operations Manager Wayne Corey said in a news release.