HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7775 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7775
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council November 30, 1993
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s TtX Subject: REGIONAL ALTERNATIVE FUELS PROGRAM
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Regional Transportation
Council through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program has been
provided with funds for the purchase and/or conversion of public sector fleet vehicles to
alternative fuels. Approximately$8.5 million has been programmed for the purchase and/or
conversion of 3,800 public sector fleet vehicles in the Dallas-Fort Worth ozone
non-attainment area to alternative fuels for the period 1994 through 1996.
This program is deemed critical to the region's efforts to improve air quality and meet ozone
standards by 1996. It is anticipated that the program will reduce volatile organic compound
emissions by 1,000 pounds per day. Additional goals of the program are to reduce
dependency on imported oil, enhance the refueling infrastructure for alternative fuels by
developing markets for on-street public-use facilities, and stimulate additional public and
private sector investment in alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure.
Entities eligible for funding include cities, counties, school districts, state transportation
agencies, transit authorities, and D/FW and Love Field Airports. Eligible vehicle types are
automobiles,light-duty trucks,heavy-duty trucks and school buses. Funds can be used to pay
up to 80 percent of the incremental cost of the purchase price of a new alternative fuel
vehicle or conversion of an existing vehicle to operate on an alternative fuel. Vehicles for
OP111 which funding is received must travel a minimum of 9,000 miles per year in the
non-attainment area and be maintained in the organization's fleet for three years. Bi-fueled
vehicles must be operated using the alternative fuel for a minimum of 90 percent of the
vehicle miles traveled each month.
Entities wishing to have projects considered for funding have been requested to submit them
to NCTCOG by noon on Wednesday,December 1,1993. NCTCOG staff will evaluate each
proposal and develop draft recommendations by Monday, December 20. Final Regional
Transportation Council approval will be requested on January 13, 1994. Following that step,
a formal agreement will be developed by the administering agency and presented to the City
Council for review and approval.
Staff has analyzed the current fleet and projected some replacement of vehicles through FY
1995/96. Based on that analysis, it is recommended that the following conversion and
replacement plan be submitted to NCTCOG for funding. Twenty percent City funds are
available for the current fiscal year. In subsequent years, 20 percent City funds will be
requested as a part of the annual budgeting process.
1993/94 1994/95 1995/96 Total
Number of vehicles 44 449 351 844
Incremental Costs $75,600 $773,600 $597,600 $1,446,800
r 80% CMAQ Funds $60,480 $618,880 $478,080 $1,157,440
20% City Funds $15,120 $154,720 $119,520 $ 289,360
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7775
" ADO"
1. To the Mayor and Members'of the City Council
November 301 1993
oil Subject: REGIONAL ALTERNATIVE FUELS PROGRAM
During the past ten years the City has operated various types of vehicles on both natural gas
and propane. Because of the increased range associated with the use of propane, the
incremental costs associated with converting a vehicle to use propane have been used in
developing this plan. Currently, the City has a 5,000 gallon capacity propane tank at the
Harley Street Service Center which can fuel all of the vehicles requested for conversion in
the current fiscal year. However, it is anticipated that in the near future additional
information will be provided the City Council concerning fuels and various options to
develop refueling facilities.
Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, staff will submit the City's request to
NCTCOG for participation in the Alternative Fuels Program and CMAQ funding.
Additional information can be provided upon request.
Bob Terrell
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS