CURRENT INITIATIVES

Fuel Reduction Results

Through fleet rightsizing efforts, the size and composition of the fleet has changed. The fleet has been reduced by over 400 vehicles and pieces of equipment. Where appropriate, V8's have been replaced with V6's; trucks replaced with smaller off road vehicles. Additionally, there have been extensive reminders to conserve fuel through driver behavior. Fuel usage is projected to be down 233k gallons this FY from FY09 - lowest level since 2002. New administrative directives on utilization and fuel conservation were approved effective 10/1/09. This is an 11.01% reduction in the County�s Carbon Footprint.

Hybrids

There are 17 hybrid electric vehicles in the fleet averaging 40 mpg for sedans and 26.4 mpg for SUV’s, and one Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle.

Engine Oil Reduction (usage and waste oil generation)

Installation of on-board oil filtration technology systems virtually eliminates the need for oil changes on certain pieces of heavy duty vehicles and equipment. The project includes vehicles and equipment from the County�s Fire Rescue, Solid Waste, and Sunshine Line (Para transit) fleet and is being initiated as a cost and petroleum dependency efficiency

1. The benefits of the system are multifaceted:

• Economics:  Estimated savings is $460,044 over the useful life of the included vehicles – Fire apparatus & ambulances, solid waste tractors and Sunshine Line buses
• Cost: Reduced consumption of petroleum based products
• Energy and environmental: 90 percent reduction in waste oil generation; handling and storage
• Performance: Longer engine life and improved fuel economy
• Operational: Reduced vehicle/equipment downtime
• Customer service: Reduced operator downtime and trips to the maintenance facility
• Maintenance: Reduced technician time spent on routine tasks

2. Fully implemented on the identified population of vehicles, this project could save up to $1.5M over the useful life of the vehicles. This does not include the cost and on-going liability associated with handling of up to 1,000,000 quarts of waste engine oil over the lifecycle of these vehicles.

3. Preventive maintenance service intervals have been extended on light and medium duty vehicles to maximize oil usage and minimize waste oil generation resulting in $235k in annual savings.

Green Star Facilities

The Hillsborough County EPC Green Star Certification Program is designed to encourage auto repair facilities to implement Best Management Practices and Pollution Prevention strategies in an effort to improve the environment and potentially provide some economic advantages to the facility.

• Green Star Certification has been attained at all four fleet maintenance locations.

The Green Star program is a non-regulatory program developed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that encourages auto repair facilities to go above and beyond the basic compliance measures required by the Environmental Protection Commission.  By implementing 22 Best Management Practices (BMPs) and at least 1 Pollution Prevention (P2) strategy, facilities can earn the certification demonstrating their commitment to improving the environment.  Some of the BMPs consist of; utilizing a commercial laundering service to reduce waste shop towels, labeling all drip pans either for oil or antifreeze to prevent cross contamination of waste streams, and the puncturing of empty spray cans that can then be recycled as scrap metal. One of the P2 strategies that require implementation includes the use of hydrophobic mop heads to recover spilled oil for recycling.  Upon certification the facility receives a Green Star Certificate and a window sticker that designates to customers that they are patronizing an environmentally friendly facility. The certification is also listed on EPC's web site.

Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Honda Civic GX Key Points: Delivered to EPC 8/09

Recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the cleanest commercially available, internal-combustion vehicle. Produces less than two pounds of hydrocarbons in 100,000 miles (equivalent to spilling one pint of gasoline) 113 hp 4-cyl engine Five speed automatic transmission City/Hwy Fuel Economy 24/36 Estimated driving range 170 miles Eight gallon CNG tank at 3,600psi 10,000 mile oil change intervals

Traffic Hybrid Platform Truck:  Two Traffic Hybrid Platform Trucks were delivered 10/09 and were put in service 11/09. One additional truck has been ordered for FY11, with an expectant delivery date of 10/10. These trucks will be able to operate the platform on battery power with the engine off at intersections – conserving fuel and improving air quality. 

Eaton Hybrid Electric system and EPTO system Key Points:

Energy and Environment: Up to 60 percent reduction in fuel consumption for utility type applications 30 – 40 percent reduction in fuel consumption for city driving conditions Up to 87 percent reduction in idle times Reduced emissions economics Quieter operations and better acceleration Reduced maintenance and lower life cycle costs Up to $5,700 annual cost savings (due to reduced fuel consumption and maintenance costs) Increased brake replacement intervals 340 volt lithium ion battery

System also employs regenerative braking that captures kinetic energy to charge the battery that is normally converted to heat and wasted.

Global Electric Motor (GEM) Cars:  Demo at various Parks and Water Resources facilities has been completed.  First unit arrived in the Spring 2010, and is in service at the Upper Tampa Bay Trail. 

FUTURE INITIATIVES

ARRA Stimulus Grant received $690k

• Anti-Idling Technology (AIM2®):  Grant application has been approved and will upgrade 1,800 vehicles with AIM2 units.  117 units have been installed and programmed on County vehicles, with an additional 505 units waiting for installation and programming. This technology will allow for the monitoring of 25 data sources from the vehicle to include engine idling and other mechanical defects affecting emissions.