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

Browse Search

z Resolution on a Recommendation that Orange County Establish a Plan for Reducing the County's Vehicle Fleet Emissions by the Use of Alternative Fueled Vehicles, Improved Fleet Maintenance, and/or Reduction of Vehicle Miles Traveled BACKGROUND - The Triangle region, in which Orange County is located, has elevated levels of ground -level ozone during the summer and may not be able to meet a new national ambient air quality standard ( NAAQS) for ozone established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has also established a new NAAQS for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). A NAAQS also exists for carbon monoxide, a gas emitted by motor vehicles. Gas - fueled and diesel - fueled vehicles emit air contaminants that contribute to the degradation of air quality. Volatile organic compounds emitted from vehicles result in ozone formation. Diesel vehicles emit particles. Orange County maintains a fleet of vehicles in support of County services. The fleet includes administrative vehicles, service vehicles, maintenance vehicles, trucks, and construction equipment. The County's fleet of vehicles emit air contaminants during routine use. There are a number of technical approaches available to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds, hazardous air pollutants, and criteria pollutants from fleets of vehicles. Source emissions may be reduced by reducing the number of vehicle miles traveled. Improved vehicle maintenance may also reduce emissions. Air quality may be improved by using vehicles that have lower emissions due to either higher mileage efficiency or improved pollution controls. Another approach is to use alternative fuel vehicles. Alternative fuel vehicles currently available include those powered by natural gas or by electricity. In selecting a technical approach for reducing emissions from a fleet of vehicles, the advantages, limitations, costs, and benefits must be evaluated based on the type and age of vehicles in the fleet, the vehicle miles traveled, distances traveled, the usage pattern, and a variety of other factors. Solar bicycles have also been suggested as an alternative means of transportation, and potential program for conversion of existing bicycles by high school classes is being considered. The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources awards Mobile Source Emissions Reductions Grants each year to achieve reductions from on- and off -road mobile source related emissions. The County of Orange is eligible to apply for these grants. Applicants for the grants are expected to share the cost for implementation, which can be substantial for efforts such as purchasing alternative fuel vehicles.