Agenda - 09-29-1999 - 5e - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 21, 1999 Action Agenda Item No. S'^ E SUBJECT: Resolution on Alternative - Fueled Vehicles DEPARTMENT: ERCD PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Background on Proposed Resolution 8/9/99 CFE Resolution Proposed BOCC Resolution Solar- Powered Vehicle Proposal INFORMATION CONTACT: David Stancil, ext 2590 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732 -8181 Chapel Hill 9684501 Durham 688 -7331 Mebane 336 -227 -2031 PURPOSE: To consider a resolution from the Commission for the Environment asking the County to develop a plan for reducing vehicle fleet emissions, including an evaluation of the use of alternative- fueled and a possible Mobile Source Emissions Reduction Grant. BACKGROUND: This is the third of a three -part action requested by the Commission for the Environment related to air quality. The first two components, an Ozone air quality action plan and a program to investigate and purchase low- emission vehicles, were approved by the Board in February and June of this year. The CFE Air Quality Committee is currently reviewing a draft ozone plan, and staff has begun work on purchasing low- emission vehicles for the County fleet. This third resolution asks the County to develop a coordinated plan for reducing emissions from the County vehicle fleet. Specifically, it asks that an evaluation be conducted of alternative - fueled (such as electric buses or compressed - natural gas (CNG)) vehicles for use in the motor fleet. The Town of Chapel Hill received a grant in 1998 for a pilot program in CNG vehicles, and has begun construction of a CNG fueling station. In developing the third resolution, the CFE asked Marty Mandell of the Electric Vehicle and Solar Energy Planning Group (EVASEP) for ways to coordinate the two efforts. The resolution has been developed with the thoughts of both groups. In addition, a proposal for a solar - powered vehicle has been submitted by EVASEP representative Marty Mandell. Staff has prepared a resolution for the Board's consideration consistent with the CFE request. The ERC Director, County Engineer, Purchasing Director and Public Works Director would be asked to expand their current work on low - emission vehicles to evaluate other alternatives for the motor vehicle fleet (including the EVASEP proposal). FINANCIAL IMPACT: The financial impact on the County is undetermined at this time. Further research will be needed to evaluate the cost of alternative -fuel technologies, and the proposal for solar- powered vehicles. Grant funding would play an important role in any program involving alternative - fueled vehicles. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the proposed resolution, and ask staff to develop a timetable to accomplishing the needed program evaluation in a manner consistent with other BOCC goals.