High gas prices are hitting West Virginia state employees, who have been ordered to use the least expensive alternatives for travel on state business - increasingly including rental cars.

Department of Administration spokesman Tony O'Leary said state employees are being encouraged to determine the cheapest alternative when making travel plans.

"It's not a formal policy," he said. "It's not like you have to do this, or do that."

He said state agencies began reviewing travel policies after the mileage reimbursement for employees using personal vehicles increased April 1 by 6 cents a mile, to 50.5 cents, to match the federal government rate.

Afterward, Larry Puccio, chief of staff for Gov. Joe Manchin, sent out a policy guideline for state travel to "promote the most efficient and effective use of motor vehicles."

The guidelines discourage employees from using personal vehicles, stating that they should be used only when no state vehicle or leased vehicle is available, and only if the mileage reimbursement will be under $50 a day.

Puccio's memo advises employees to first try to obtain a state vehicle, if one is available through the particular state agency.

If no state vehicle is available, the memo states that use of rental cars should be considered, but only if cost of the rental would be cheaper than the employee's mileage reimbursement.

High gas prices are hitting West Virginia state employees, who have been ordered to use the least expensive alternatives for travel on state business - increasingly including rental cars.

Department of Administration spokesman Tony O'Leary said state employees are being encouraged to determine the cheapest alternative when making travel plans.

"It's not a formal policy," he said. "It's not like you have to do this, or do that."

He said state agencies began reviewing travel policies after the mileage reimbursement for employees using personal vehicles increased April 1 by 6 cents a mile, to 50.5 cents, to match the federal government rate.

Afterward, Larry Puccio, chief of staff for Gov. Joe Manchin, sent out a policy guideline for state travel to "promote the most efficient and effective use of motor vehicles."

The guidelines discourage employees from using personal vehicles, stating that they should be used only when no state vehicle or leased vehicle is available, and only if the mileage reimbursement will be under $50 a day.

Puccio's memo advises employees to first try to obtain a state vehicle, if one is available through the particular state agency.

If no state vehicle is available, the memo states that use of rental cars should be considered, but only if cost of the rental would be cheaper than the employee's mileage reimbursement.

O'Leary said the increase in the mileage reimbursement has made rentals increasingly viable.

Under the statewide contract for rental vehicles, the in-state rate ranges from $30.99 a day for compacts to $36.99 a day for standard-sized cars.

Even with a fill-up, that's considerably less than the mileage reimbursement for personal vehicles in most cases.

O'Leary said state employees also are being encouraged to discuss travel needs with state Travel Management Unit manager Catherine DeMarco to determine the least expensive alternative.

Puccio's memo also calls on state agencies to look at alternatives to travel, including teleconferencing.

"In today's digital age, we must take advantage of opportunities that are cost-efficient, effective, and that conserve energy," Puccio stated.

O'Leary said the state Office of Technology is working with agency heads to make them aware of teleconferencing

To contact staff writer Phil Kabler, use e-mail or call 348-1220.