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8 <br /> CFE Comments: The CFE liked the educational opportunity this project provides to the public given the <br /> amount of visitation the building will receive as a public library and its other uses and expects that <br /> education be prioritized as reasonable. The project would showcase environmental technology and <br /> promote renewable energy for a large segment of residents. The partial funding amount is another <br /> investment towards a larger goal as was done last year when it was recommended to provide only <br /> partial funding and encourage the Town to apply again this year. <br /> HRC Comments:The HRC felt that some Orange County residents may not have access to transportation <br /> to get to this facility. While not adverse to the local opportunity,they would have liked to have seen the <br /> social justice component built out more and address how they would provide meaningful outreach to <br /> the community. <br /> Grant Dollars Requested Per Metric Ton of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced During Project <br /> Lifetime: $133 <br /> #5 Ranked Project—Town of Chapel Hill-Fleet Electrification Pilots <br /> Applicant(Collaborators):Town of Chapel Hill <br /> Funding Requested: $74,600 <br /> Recommended Funding Level: $50,000 <br /> Total Score (Out of 26 pts): 17 <br /> Project Description: "The requested funds will be used to help purchase and pilot test, 1 electric <br /> garbage truck and 1 electric commercial mower with charging support equipment. These vehicles will <br /> replace older fossil fuel vehicles currently operating in the fleet. Lessons learned from operating this <br /> newly available equipment will be proactively shared with all other local governments in Orange County <br /> to help inform our shared interest in adding more electric vehicles to our fleets and better prepare all <br /> parties to take advantage of upcoming federal funding opportunities. <br /> Project Benefits: "Switching to electric vehicles would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve local <br /> air quality for residents and improve the working environment for the town staff who use these vehicles <br /> daily." <br /> "Garbage trucks are used daily to provide their essential service in every neighborhood across Chapel <br /> Hill.These heavy-duty vehicles drive long distances each year and burn thousands of gallons of diesel <br /> fuel in the process. Their pattern of stopping and starting during those miles, reduces their efficiency <br /> and increases the wear and tear on the vehicle's brakes. This driving pattern becomes an efficiency <br /> bonus when using regenerative braking in an electric vehicle. Garbage trucks also return to the depot <br /> each night, which can enable them to be fully recharged for the next day. These factors make them an <br /> ideal fleet vehicle to electrify to help reduce lifetime costs and neighborhood based emissions." <br /> "Commercial zero-turn lawnmowers are critical pieces of equipment that maintain the functionality of <br /> 1,376 acres of parkland and open space. This space is distributed across town to bring it close to town <br /> residents." Both vehicles start early in the morning and often operate close to residential areas. The <br /> reduction in vehicle noise associated with operating the electric versions of these vehicles would <br /> improve the livability of all Chapel Hill neighborhoods and reduce fumes and diesel exhaust in these <br /> neighborhoods." <br />