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NOV 2012
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPER
EVENTS/DATES
Page 2
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ECONOMIC GROWTH CONFERENCES
Page 3
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CNG NATIONAL
INITIATIVE WINNERS
Page 4-5
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FALLIN FOR BIZ: INTL AWARD
Page 6
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CDBG AWARD TO
WEWOKA
Page 7
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MAIN STREET
COLLABORATION
Page 8
IN THIS ISSUE
Eating on the patio of Jazmo’z Bourbon Street Cafe or just taking a stroll down the Oklahoma City Bricktown Canal with a to-go yogurt from Orange Leaf is much quieter experience these days. On October 1, Bricktown Water Taxi unveiled their full fleet of battery operated boats.
The switch from gasoline powered vessels to lithium ion batteries was funded by a federal grant through the Federal Department of Energy with the support of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, State Energy Office, and Oklahoma City’s Parks and Recreation Department. The objective was to eliminate the air pollution produced by the water taxis; the quieter operation is simply a pleasant side effect.
Since the riverwalk opened in 1999, the company has taken customers on a 40 minute boat ride through the entertainment district. It is a popular attraction with visitors and residents alike.
This is not Water Taxi’s first attempt to go green. After just a few days of attempting to run the boats on compressed natural gas in 2000, Water Taxi owner Bob Bekoff realized quickly that the day and a half fueling time for each boat was not efficient. It wasn’t until he and his son attended the Pompano, Florida Nautical Fleamarket in February of 2012 that he ran into Todd Sims with EPowerMarine and the idea of running the Bricktown taxis on electric motors was realized.
Not only do the motors run cleaner and quieter, but the boat drivers, who also point out attractions and offer a bit of Oklahoma history during the 40 minute trips, were happy to report that they no longer had to raise their voices above the engine noise and they have had to adjust their steering methods, as the new propeller and motor make the boats easier to maneuver. It also eliminates the need for oil changes and oil disposal, as well as potential hazards of refueling on the waterway.
Along with the electric motors, electric charging stations were added along the canal where the boats charge overnight.
For more information about Bricktown Water Taxi, visit their website at
www.bricktownwatertaxi.com
Bricktown Boats Get Green Motor Makeovers
