Agenda - 11-21-2000-6c - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 21, 2000 Action Agen a Item No. ~~ SUBJECT: Alternative Fuel and Low-Emission Vehicle Work Grou DEPARTMENT: ERCD PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Report from Work Group Information on MSERG Grant INFORMATION CONTACT: David Stancil, 245-2590 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To receive a presentation on the report of the Alternative Fuel and Low-Emission Vehicle (AFLEV) Work Group, and to authorize staff to submit a Mobile Source Emission Reduction Grant (MSERG) application. BACKGROUND: In 1999, the Board adopted a series of three resolutions related to improving air quality and air quality awareness in the County. In addition to becoming a member of the N.C. Air Awareness Coalition and instituting a County government Ozone awareness program, the Board also instructed staff to work with the Commission for the Environment Air Quality Committee and electric/solar expert Marty Mandell on a plan to lower emissions in the County vehicle fleet and convert appropriate County fleet vehicles to alternative-fuel vehicles (AFV's). Driving many of the air quality concerns is the increase in vehicle miles traveled each year and the subsequent effect on the ozone layer. Orange County is included in North Carolina's recommendations to U.S. EPA on 8-hour ozone non-attainment designations, consistent with the adoption and implementation fior the Governor's Clean Air Plan. EPA comments on this recommendation are expected in December. Since January, the AFLEV Work Group has met to 1) look at opportunities for alternative fuel vehicles, 2) examine other local programs (such as the Town of Chapel Hill's' AFV's), and 3) identify vehicles in the County's fleet that are scheduled for replacement and might be candidates for AFV's. The Work Group report (attached) proposes that, as an initial step, the County apply to NC DENR for an Mobile Source Emission Reduction Grant (MSERG) by the December 31 grant deadline to fund the cost differential for purchase of six compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles and one electric vehicle. These vehicles would be replaced in FY 2001-2002 through the regular vehicle replacement process, and based on their use and mileage would be good candidates for AFV's.