CURRENT GREEN 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 and Alternative Fuel Vehicles

• 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.
• The hybrid fleet also includes four hybrid bucket trucks whose platforms are battery powered, reducing the amount of idleing time necessary for the performance of the platform.
• 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.

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

 In Addition:

• 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.

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. 1200 units have been installed and programmed on County vehicles, with an additional 600 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.