Eight new plug-in hybrid electric vehicles were distributed to Guam government agencies during a handover ceremony at Adelup on Tuesday, official say it's part of the Leon Guerrero-Tenorio administration's push to cut fuel use and reduce emissions across public sector operations.
The vehicles will primarily support community outreach and social services programs, officials said. Recipient agencies include the Department of Youth Affairs, the Department of Public Health & Social Services, the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, the Department of Public Works, and the Guam Energy Office.
"Investing in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles demonstrates our commitment to responsible environmental stewardship while ensuring that government agencies have reliable and efficient transportation resources to serve our communities," Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said in a statement.
Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio said the deployment is part of a broader sustainability and climate resilience strategy aimed at reducing the public sector's environmental footprint while encouraging clean energy adoption community-wide. He said the vehicles are expected to lower maintenance and fuel costs while improving energy performance across agency fleets.
The vehicles are funded through the U.S. Department of Energy's State Energy Program, using money from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The grant is administered locally by the Guam Energy Office.
Guam Energy Office Director Rebecca Respicio said the new vehicles pair conventional engines with rechargeable battery systems. She said all recipient agencies will also receive Level II charging stations installed at their facilities through a separate federal funding source.
Representatives from the participating agencies attended Tuesday's ceremony and said the additions would help improve service delivery while supporting local and national environmental goals.
