[HISTORY: Adopted by the County Legislature of the County
of Ulster as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Adopted 8-18-2015 by L.L. No. 9-2015]
A.
The Ulster County Legislature finds that government must be innovative,
efficient, and cost effective.
B.
Ulster County recognizes that energy use associated with the operation
of its motor vehicle fleets exacerbates local air quality problems
and results in greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global
climate change. While the operation and maintenance of the County
vehicle fleet is essential to the ability to provide a wide range
of services to the public, the fleet represents a significant environmental
and financial cost to Ulster County.
C.
In 2012, the County's baseline year for its greenhouse gas (GHG)
inventory, the fleet consumed 201,000 gallons of gasoline and over
306,000 gallons of diesel fuel and was responsible for the emission
of approximately 4,899 metric tons of CO2 equivalent or approximately
35% of the County's total GHG emissions.
D.
Energy costs represent a significant amount of spending for Ulster
County government and Ulster County desires to continue in its leadership
role in environmental stewardship. The County's energy costs totaled
$4,178,670 in fiscal year 2014 of which $1,734,637 is vehicle energy
costs.
E.
Ulster County recognizes that its agencies and/or departments have
a significant role to play in improving local air quality and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions by improving the energy efficiency of its
fleet and reducing emissions from fleet operations.
F.
Ulster County recognizes that improving the energy efficiency of
its fleet can lead to significant long-term monetary savings.
G.
Ulster County wishes to exercise its power as a participant in the
marketplace to ensure that purchases and expenditures of public monies
are made in a manner consistent with the policy of improving local
air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
H.
Ulster County wishes to establish a "green fleet" policy addressing
the vehicles of the fleet under the control of the County in order
to improve vehicle fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
I.
A green fleet policy involves a number of different steps to reduce
emissions, decrease costs, and increase efficiency. These steps include:
(1)
The downsizing of vehicles;
(2)
The optimization of vehicle use;
(3)
Incorporate efficiency into bid specifications;
(4)
Maximize vehicle efficiency through maintenance and operation;
(5)
The elimination of vehicles;
(6)
Where possible, encourage the use of transit systems, bike riding,
walking, and telecommuting.
J.
Ulster County is committed to using electric, hybrid-electric, hybrid
and sustainable green vehicles across the fleet. Any initiative to
introduce alternative fuel technologies will consider the sustainability
of the fuel including lifecycle energy and emissions, as well as the
renewability of the fuel source.
K.
Additionally, Ulster County seeks to move toward zero-emission vehicles
by promoting the use of electric, hybrid-electric, hybrid, and sustainable
green vehicles by residents and will do so by:
(1)
Giving priority to purchasing hybrid, hybrid-electric, and sustainable
green vehicles.
(2)
Installing electric vehicle charging stations at County-owned facilities.
(3)
Supporting initiatives and research which will lead to the further
deployment of electric, hybrid-electric, hybrid, and sustainable green
vehicles across the community.
[Amended 7-18-2023 by L.L. No. 8-2023]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Refers to any vehicle that employs technology that reduces
fuel consumption or emissions and shall include, but is not limited
to, vehicles that have electric drive trains (EVs), hybrid-electric,
and hybrid vehicles that use both a rechargeable energy storage system
and combustible fuel (HVs).
Any motor vehicle, licensed for use on roadways, having a
manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating greater than 14,000
pounds.
Any motor vehicle, with a manufacturer's gross vehicle
weight rating of 6,000 pounds or less, which is designed primarily
for purposes of transportation of property or is a derivative of such
a vehicle, or is available with special features enabling off-street
or off-highway operation and use.
Any vehicle having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight
rating of 14,000 pounds or less and which is not a light-duty truck
or passenger vehicle.
Any motor vehicle designed primarily for the transportation
of persons and having a design capacity of 12 persons or less.
Refers to any vehicle that does not produce greenhouse gas
emissions while driving, per the US Environmental Protection Agency's
Fuel Economy and Environment rating methodology in which a vehicle's
tailpipe carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are rated in grams per mile
for combined city and highway driving.
A.
In order to establish a baseline of data so that the "green fleet"
policy can be established, implemented, and monitored, the Fleet Manager,
in consultation with the Coordinator of the Department of Environment,
shall develop an inventory and assessment of the fleet vehicles within
each department or agency. This inventory shall include:
(1)
Number of vehicles classified by the model year, make, model, engine
size, vehicle identification number (VIN), drivetrain type (two-wheel
drive or four-wheel drive), and the rated vehicle weight and classification
(light-duty, medium-duty, heavy-duty);
(2)
Miles per gallon (or gallon equivalent) per vehicle;
(3)
Type of fuel (or power source, e.g., electricity) used;
(4)
Average cost per gallon (or gallon equivalent) of fuel;
(5)
Average fuel cost per mile;
(6)
Annual miles driven per vehicle;
(7)
Total fuel (or power) consumption per vehicle;
(8)
Vehicle function (i.e., the tasks associated with the vehicle's use);
(9)
Estimated emissions per mile for each pollutant by vehicle type/class
based on EPA tailpipe standards for the following: carbon monoxide
(CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM);
(10)
Carbon dioxide (CO2) calculations based on gallons (or gallon
equivalent) of fuel consumed.
B.
Once the fleet inventory from each department is submitted, an assessment
on vehicular use will be performed by the Fleet Manager, in consultation
with the Coordinator of the Department of Environment. The assessment
will examine;
It is the policy of Ulster County:
A.
To purchase, lease, or otherwise obtain the most energy-efficient
and cost-effective vehicles possible that meet the operational needs
of the County.
B.
To purchase vehicles that are appropriately sized for the purposes
for which they are intended.
C.
To manage and operate its fleet in a manner that is energy efficient
and minimizes emissions.
D.
That all County employees in Ulster-County-owned vehicles at any
time, or in personal vehicles while on County property during work
shifts, shall not allow a vehicle to be left to idle for any period
of time greater than five minutes. This policy shall not apply during
times of emergency response or for vehicles which require longer idling
periods for equipment operations needs.
[Amended 7-19-2022 by L.L. No. 3-2022; 7-18-2023 by L.L. No. 8-2023]
In order to accomplish the goals stated in § 131-4 above, the following policies shall be implemented:
A.
Include a minimum efficiency standard in miles per gallon (or gallon
equivalent) for each vehicle class for which the County has a procurement
specification for and include such a standard in any new vehicle procurement
specification.
B.
Include a minimum emissions standard for each vehicle class for which
the County has a procurement specification for and include such a
standard in any new vehicle procurement specifications.
C.
Ensure a minimum of 20% of the fleet by 2025 are green vehicles with
at least 20% of those being zero-emission. Thereafter, annually, 100%
of passenger and light duty truck vehicles purchased, leased or otherwise
obtained will be zero-emission vehicles where technically feasible.
Zero-emission vehicles that qualify in another vehicle weight class
may, for the purposes of this requirement, qualify as a passenger
vehicle on a one-vehicle-for-one-vehicle basis.
(1)
Additionally, ensure:
(a)
All fleet passenger and light-duty truck vehicles are zero-emission
by 2035.
(b)
All transit fleet vehicles are zero-emission by 2035.
(c)
All non-road equipment is zero-emission by 2035, where technically
feasible.
(d)
All fleet medium and heavy-duty vehicles are zero-emission by
2040, where technically feasible.
D.
Review all vehicle procurement specifications and modify them as
necessary to ensure that the specifications are written in a manner
flexible enough to allow the purchase or lease of green vehicles.
E.
Review every new vehicle purchase request and modify them as necessary
to ensure that the vehicle class to which the requesting vehicle belongs
is appropriate for the duty requirements that the vehicle will be
called upon to perform.
F.
Review the fleet inventory taken in § 131-3 above to identify older vehicles that are used infrequently (or not at all), as well as those vehicles that are disproportionately inefficient, and schedule their elimination or replacement.
G.
Implement a program that will train County employees to drive efficiently
and utilize efficient operating techniques such as route optimization.
H.
Reduce motor vehicle use by the utilization of fleet-management software,
optimizing vehicle use, the selection of the right vehicle for the
employees' tasks, and encourage transit use, bicycle riding,
walking, and ride sharing and telecommuting where feasible.
I.
Maximize efficiency of the vehicles by having them regularly maintained
and checking tire pressure and keeping them aerodynamic (putting racks,
ladders and tools on vehicle roofs only when necessary).
J.
Procure and utilize zero-emission vehicles when their use is appropriate
to the application.
K.
Purchase the right size vehicle for the job.
L.
Keep apprised of the technological advances and product innovations
for fleet vehicles, such as, but not limited to, the use of low-rolling-resistance
tires and using nitrogen to inflate tires.
A.
In order to determine whether the goals outlined in § 131-4 above and the actions outlined in § 131-5 above have been reached, and/or whether or not they should be modified or amended, annually, on or before March 1 of each year, a report, prepared by the Coordinator of the Ulster County Department of the Environment, in conjunction with the Ulster County Fleet Manager and any other department of the County that the Coordinator of the Department of Environment may deem necessary, shall be filed with the County Executive and the Ulster County Legislative Standing Committee assigned with the Department of the Environment and any other Committee as determined by the Clerk of the Legislature.
B.
The annual report shall include, but not be limited to:
(2)
Documentation of the fuel use and emissions associated with the Ulster
County fleet;
(3)
An assessment of whether or not the goals set forth in the policy
have been attainable; and if not, the reasons relevant;
(4)
Recommendations regarding actions to be taken in order to meet the
goals set forth in the policy; and
(5)
Recommendations as to specific changes or modifications to the policy
that would promote the goals of the policy.
C.
The Legislative Standing Committee(s) as designated, having reviewed
the information and recommendations set forth in the annual report,
shall, if it deems necessary, propose to the full Legislature any
changes or modifications to this policy.
The County Executive may request a waiver of the purchase requirements of § 131-5 of this article by resolution of the County Legislature if he/she determines that such a waiver is in the best interest of the taxpayers and residents of Ulster County. No such waiver shall take effect unless such a resolution is deemed passed with a majority of the County Legislature voting in the affirmative.
