Bus Company Keeps Grand Canyon Air Clear With New Technology 

Grand Canyon National Park Lodges uses DriverMax® to cut pollution and improve MPG 

Grand Canyon, AZ—September 6, 2001—One of the nation’s oldest transportation companies has turned to new technology from Mirenco (OTCBB: MREO) to help the environment in one of the United States’ greatest natural wonders. Grand Canyon National Park Lodges (GCNPL), which operates a fleet of tour buses in the park, has announced recent tests that show the company has cut pollution from their buses by an average of 65% over the past eleven months. Exhaust data revealed the fleet had saved nearly $12,000 in fuel and kept 1,720 lbs. of particulate matter out of the atmosphere. GCNPL's dramatic reduction of black smoke puts the fleet well within tough California emissions standards.

The company is one of the first to use DriverMax®, a computerized throttle modulating system that cuts pollution and saves fuel.

"We’re very pleased with what we don’t see coming out of our buses," says Jon Streit, GCNPL executive director of operations. "It’s important, especially to us, considering that we work in a national park, to protect the environment."

GCNPL first tested DriverMax units in October of 2000 and saw emissions immediately reduced by 74%, eliminating black smoke with projections for fuel savings of nearly 650 gallons per bus. This number represents almost 10% of the average gallons of diesel fuel consumed by an individual bus per year, according to the APTA Public Transportation Fact Book.

Developed by Iowa-based Mirenco, Inc., DriverMax technology manages the throttle of a vehicle in real time to eliminate waste caused by a combination of natural engine degradation and imprecise driver throttle control. The tangible results include minimized emissions, maximized fuel savings and extended vehicle life, all without a loss of vehicle drivability or power. After a unit is installed, DriverMax can be reprogrammed to compensate for an aging engine’s tendency to waste fuel.

"Black smoke equals wasted fuel, it’s that simple. In addition to cutting pollution, by using DriverMax, Grand Canyon National Park Lodges will be able to realize savings in fuel costs and other areas of vehicle maintenance," said Dwayne Fosseen, CEO and chairman of Mirenco. "Once a company starts regular testing and charting the numbers, they should be able to recognize other potential problems a vehicle may have."

GCNPL provides tours around the south rim of the Grand Canyon to approximately 250,000 passengers annually. The rigors on the engine of the constant starting and stopping lead to engine wear and increased emissions. DriverMax enables the driver of each tour bus to deliver only the amount of fuel needed for acceleration. Excess fuel usage is reduced, eliminating the majority of the exhaust emissions. The DriverMax units on the GCNPL fleet were reprogrammed this month to adjust for such engine wear and tear since October.

Grand Canyon National Park Lodges proactive efforts to be environmentally friendly helped parent company, Amfac, win both a 2001 U.S. Department of Interior Environmental Achievement Award and Travel Industry Association’s Odyssey Award.

"This company is very committed to reducing pollution," says Lisa McNeilly, GCNPL director of environmental health and safety. "It’s right in our mission statement—increasing the sustainability of natural systems is not only good business, but the right thing to do." 

Mirenco press contacts:

About Mirenco

Mirenco is a Radcliffe, Iowa-based Company that specializes in patented vehicle management technology and consultative services for reducing vehicle emissions, improving fuel economy and lengthening the service life of heavy-duty diesel vehicles.  More information is available at www.mirenco.com, or via e-mail at info@mirenco.com or by calling 800.423.9903.

Some of the statements made in this press release are forward-looking in nature.  Actual results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements.  Additional information concerning Mirenco, Inc. can be found within Mirenco's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Statements in this release should be evaluated in light of this additional information.

Contact Information:
Dwayne Fosseen
fosseen@mirenco.com
800-423-9903