Agenda - 01-24-2005-9c - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

M In late 2003, a strong impetus to renew consideration of alternative fuels came when US EPA announced that the Triangle would be designated as non - attainment for the new ground -level ozone (03) standard. During this same timeframe, Orange County joined the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the City of Durham a members of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and /or the Cities for Climate Protection Program. One condition of membership in this organization is the commitment to develop a local inventory of greenhouse gas emissions, and in 2003 the County and Towns agreed to partner on this project (a Memorandum of Agreement and contract for project services will be forthcoming in February). In addition, the State of the Environment Report 2002, and the State of the Environment 2003 Update included recommendations to accelerate the introduction of AFV's within County government and encourage education about them for other employers and private citizens. As a result, in January 2004 the Commission for the Environment was charged to develop a report on possible local strategies for ozone, and that effort is underway. Early in 2004, the Triangle Clean Cities Coalition requested submittals for matching grant applications toward AFV's and infrastructure, After initial discussions with NCDOT, subsequent conversations with OCS indicated a potential partnership for this grant program and in April the Board directed staff to prepare an application in conjunction with OCS for the cost of installing a CNG fueling station in Hillsborough, potentially at the OCS Maintenance Facility adjoining the NCDOT Maintenance Yard. The application was submitted in June, and in July the County was notified that the grant had been approved in the maximum amount of $25,000. Later in July, the Clean Cities Coalition asked the County to consider installing a card reader system to allow for public and other government vehicle access to the fueling station (with the full cost to be funded from an additional grant). The April 2004 Clean Cities grant application was submitted by Orange County, in conjunction with Orange County Schools. At the time of the application, plans were considered for locating the station at the Orange County Schools (OCS) Maintenance Facility on South Churton Street (adjoining the NCDOT Maintenance Yard). Prior to this, NCDOT had opted not to participate in a proposal to locate the station at the maintenance yard, and the adjoining OCS site was suggested as an alternative. However, a question of adequate space at the OCS site led to the aforementioned meeting in the summer of 2004 of the Chairs of the BOCC and OCS, along with the County Manager and Superintendent. As a result of this meeting, the staff work group was commissioned. A Brief Overview of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Technology Natural gas is one of the world's most abundant fossil fuels and currently supplies over 24% of the energy demand in the United States, Natural gas is