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<br />ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal <br />impacts are applicable to this item: <br />• CLEAN OR AVOIDED TRANSPORTATION <br />Implement programs that monitor and improve local and regional air quality by: 1) promoting <br />public transportation options; 2) decreasing dependence on single-occupancy vehicles, and <br />3) otherwise minimizing the need for travel. <br />• RESULTANT IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AIR QUALITY <br />Assess and where possible mitigate adverse impacts created to the natural resources of <br />the site and adjoining area. Minimize production of greenhouse gases. <br /> <br />Operating an electric vehicle in North Carolina has some of the lowest air quality impacts per <br />mile of any personal or fleet vehicle. Electric vehicles are also the only vehicles that get cleaner <br />over time since they depend on an electric grid that is regulated to be cleaner and to contain <br />more renewable sources each year. Furthermore, supporting the creation of innovative new <br />transit services such as mobility-on-demand creates the additional impact of reducing the <br />dependence on single-occupancy fossil fuel powered vehicles. Improving local transportation- <br />related air quality helps to protect the health of vulnerable populations in Orange County whose <br />health is disproportionately affected by ground-level ozone and other emissions. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: <br />1) Accept $147,247 in reimbursement from the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology <br />Center (NCCETC) through their “Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT)” grant <br />program to purchase a solar electric vehicle charging station, and update twelve (12) of <br />the County’s original electric vehicle charging stations, and lease the County’s first plug- <br />in electric passenger vehicle; <br />2) Approve Budget Amendment #1-B; <br />3) Authorize the Manager to sign the associated grant funding agreement and any other <br />necessary documentation for the successful completion of this project pending final <br />review by the County Attorney’s Office; and <br />4) Direct staff to proceed with the project. <br />4