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<br />In late 2003, an impetus to renew consideration of alternative fuels came from the impending
<br />designation of the Triangle as non- attainment for ground -level ozone (03), the Joint
<br />Greenhouse Gas Emissions project, and the State of the Environment 2003 Update.
<br />The April 2004 Clean Cities grant application was submitted by Orange County, in
<br />conjunction with Orange County Schools, At the time of the application, plans were
<br />considered for locating the station at the OCS Maintenance Facility on South Churton Street
<br />(adjoining NCDOT Maintenance Yard). Prior to this, NCDOT had respectfully declined a
<br />request to locate the station at the maintenance yard, and the adjoining site was suggested
<br />as an alternative, However, a question of adequate space for the system at the OCS site led
<br />to a meeting in the summer of this year of the Chairs of the BOCC and OCS Board of
<br />Education, along with the County Manager and Superintendent. As a result of this meeting,
<br />a staff work group was commissioned to:
<br />1. Investigate other CNG stations in the region,
<br />2. Evaluate two sites in Hillsborough — the OCS Maintenance site and County Public
<br />Works, and
<br />3. Develop a siting recommendation for the CNG system,
<br />In September, the Joint Staff Work Group began working toward these goals. The Work
<br />Group included the County's Environment and Resource Conservation Director, Purchasing
<br />Director, Budget Director and Public Works Director, along with a staff member from Orange
<br />County Schools and the NCDOT District Engineer, Assistance was also provided by the
<br />County Engineer and Planning Department.
<br />After undertaking the tasks above, the Joint Staff Work Group recommends that the CNG
<br />Station be located at Orange County Public Works adjacent to the existing fueling
<br />facility. It was determined that this location was the only feasible site, due to lack of space
<br />at the OCS site. In August, the Clean Cities Coalition asked the County to consider making
<br />the station publicly accessible, and offered to fund the cost of a card reader system. The
<br />Public Works site does offer the potential for public access, at least from 8:00 to 5:00 on
<br />weekdays, and the potential for the card reader system appears worthy of further
<br />consideration,
<br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: The projected cost of installing the CNG system is $75,000. The
<br />County has received a grant totaling $25,000, which covers approximately one third of the
<br />cost of installing the system. It is important to note that the grant requires Orange County to
<br />have the project bid and all funds to cover the costs encumbered no later than June 30,
<br />2005. The County's share of the total cost, $50,000, was discussed briefly by the Board in
<br />April 2004, but is not included in the current year budget. Should the Board decide to move
<br />forward with siting and awarding a bid for the new system, staff would identify funding options
<br />for the County's match of $50,000. It is important to note also that the estimated project cost
<br />of $75,000 does not include the $29,000 card reader system option. Should the Board
<br />choose to pursue the card reader system, staff anticipates that a grant from Clean Cities
<br />Coalition would cover the costs of the card reader.
<br />RECOMMENDATION (S): The Manager recommends that the Board consider the Joint
<br />Staff Work Group report, discussing as desired, adopt the siting recommendation from the
<br />Work Group, and direct staff to identify a funding source to cover the County's share,
<br />$50,000, of the project,
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