Agenda - 04-20-2004-7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 vehicle and other internal combustion engines, electz~ic utilities and other fuel- burning or solvent-using industries, consumer use of various paints and solvents, and some natural sources. Being designated non-attainment means that summertime ozone levels within the Triangle have exceeded the new standards, and this designation will trigger a series of more-restrictive requirements for permits for new large industrial sources, and requires that all new transportation plans must demonstrate that they will not worsen air quality. If regional transportation plans fail to eonfonn, Federal transportation dollars are withheld and transportation projects put on hold (except for projects that help achieve improved air quality, potentially including projects such as pedestrian, bicycle and transit options). Triangle J Council of Governments has formed an Air Quality Committee (Attachment 1) to look at the issue from a regional perspective. In 200.3, Wake County created a local report of their own to assess local strategies that Wake County could implement and suggest to address ozone. At the .January .31 BOCC retreat, the Board asked the Commission for the Environment to proceed with plans to evaluate the regional and Wake County program and report back on potential Orange County ozone air quality measures. 3. Purchase of Alternative Fuel and Low-Emission Vehicles (Partially Underway, New Initiatives Proposed) In April 2000, the Alternative Puel and L.ow Emission Vehicle (APL,EV) Work Group completed a year-long study of alternative fuel technologies and the evaluation of low-emission vehicles -and how these could be incorporated into the County vehicle fleet. The report identified a mix of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), and electric vehicles as viable options, as well as the continuation of purchasing ethanol-compatible (E85) vehicles. The report proposed a grant submittal to the N.C Mobile Source Emission Reduction Grant program for the purchase of CNG and electric vehicles and refueling stations. A grant was submitted in the fall of 2000 for the cost differential on four CNG and one electric vehicle and a CNG fueling station, but the State budget crisis and later a focus on larger-scale refueling centers eliminated this funding source. Additionally, the trickle-down effect of the State budget crisis delayed the purchase of many replacement vehicles for the County fleet. In the meantime, the County has continued to purchase alternative-fuel-compatible vehicles and low-emission vehicles where possible. To date, 22 L^85-compatibale vehicles have been purchased for the County vehicle fleet.. _ low-emission vehicles have also been purchased to date. Preliminary discussions about CNG fueling stations have been held with Public Works and NCDOT staff about the possibility of a CNG fueling station in Hillsborough, or near the confluence of I-85 and_ I-40. Specifically, the NCDOT maintenance yard and Department of Corrections facility has been identified as a prime site for a fueling station due to its proximity to the interstates and its position equidistant between Greensboro and Raleigh.