Goal: To report on the progress made towards the County’s goal of reducing petroleum usage for transportation purposes by 20 percent by 2010.

Target objectives:

FY04 – BOS passed petroleum reduction resolution

FY04 – Task force established - Complete

FY05 – Eight vehicles purchased as potential - Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV) - Complete

FY06 – Additional vehicles purchase will be considered to meet AFV - Complete - Seven AFV’s purchased in FY06

FY06 – Work with Clean Cities Coalition on a B20 biodiesel pilot program - Implemented June 1st

FY07 – 6% reduction of petroleum usage - Complete

FY08 – 11% reduction of petroleum usage

FY09 – 15% reduction of petroleum usage

FY10 – 20% reduction of petroleum usage

Recommendation: While the County is making progress toward its goal, the Alternative Fuel Task Force recommends that the County consider implementing the following measures in order to achieve the goal of reducing petroleum usage 20 percent by 2010:

1.  Limit vehicle purchases to those recommended by the Alternative Fuel Task Force.

2.  Increase the rate of replacement of less fuel efficient vehicles.

3.  Expand replacement criteria to promote the purchase of efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles.

4.  Work with VDOT and private developers to establish alternative fuel infrastructure.

Background: The Board of Supervisors passed a resolution on the Reduction of Transportation Petroleum Use on Jan. 13, 2004. The resolution set a goal of reducing the County’s petroleum usage by 20 percent by 2010.

In order to achieve the resolution’s goal, the County Administrator assembled a task force comprised of representatives from the County’s Administration, Fleet Services, Purchasing and Information Technology, General Services, and Public Safety. In addition, there are representatives from the James City Service Authority, Williamsburg-James City County Schools, and Williamsburg Area Transport. The Hampton Roads Clean Cities Coalition also participates on the task force.

Fuel consumption and efficiency: The benchmark year is 2003 used to track fuel based on department numbers 000 through 196, 813, and 816 through 818. (Department descriptions are attached.) Due to differences in data recording and specific tasks performed, Williamsburg Area Transport and Williamsburg-James City County Schools will report their progress separately.

Although total miles driven per year continue to increase, the average petroleum use per vehicle has decreased. Compared to 2003 our average petroleum use by vehicle has been reduced by 6%. In 2003 our average mpg (mile per gallon) was 12.74 mpg. Our average today is 13.14 mpg, a 3% increase. It should be noted that new vehicles added to the fleet since 2003 show an average of 14.77 mpg, a 15% increase over 2003.

What changes have been implemented? The task force has reviewed various approaches to reducing petroleum usage through diverse fuels and advanced fuel efficiency technologies, including biodiesel blends, compressed natural gas, and high rate ethanol blends. In addition, the task force has looked into the purchase of fuel efficient vehicles such as low speed electric vehicles and hybrid-electric vehicles.

As a result, we have purchased “flex fuel” vehicles to prepare for the introduction of E85. E85 is an 85% ethanol based fuel blend. We are currently working with Hampton Roads Clean Cities Coalition and JCC Development Management to develop a relationship with private developers in an attempt to establish alternative fuel infrastructure to include E85. We now have a total of 26 “flex fuel” vehicles and 14 hybrids.

Of the 22 passenger vehicles recommended for FY08 replacement, eight will help us work towards our goal -- four hybrids and four flex fuel. The new Storm Water Utility will utilize 5 additional new hybrids. In addition we are evaluating Dodge Charger’s and Chevrolet Impala’s as possible future replacements for our less fuel efficient Ford Crown Victoria marked police cars.

JCSA’s Segway has increased meter reading efficiency while showing the potential to really lower the use of their traditional meter reading vehicles. They still leave Tewning Road in their right-hand drive jeeps, but once in neighborhoods that are conducive to using the Segway, they switch transportation mediums. This not only saves fuel, but wear and tear on the meter readers. Instead of traveling on foot from meter to meter, now they merely step off, touch a probe to a meter and zip away on the Segway. No backaches or tired legs, and all with no fossil fuels being consumed. As the JCSA adds Segways to its fleet we should see less fuel being used, and routes being completed at a faster pace.
The Segway’s purchased to supplement patrols have also proven to have a positive impact with our community police officers by increasing participation and interest in special events. The idea is to start a conversation with youth and adults that allows officers to pass on crime prevention and safety messages. They ask questions about the Segway, while their questions are answered crime prevention information is passed along with it.

As a result of our FY06 biodiesel pilot program we have begun the use of B5 biodiesel at all JCC fuel sites. We are working with JCSA to establish a separate fuel source for emergency generators. When the separate fuel source is in place we will move to B20 biodiesel at all JCC fuel sites.

To our advantage in May 2006 the federal government began a ban on MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether). MTBE was used to help oxygenate fuel. The MTBE has been replaced by ethanol. Today all of our unleaded fuel is 10% ethanol.

By using the information gathered during our FY06 oil testing program, we updated our P.M. (periodic maintenance) schedule for all light/medium duty vehicles (excluding public safety). For the vehicles on the new schedule oil use has been cut in half. In FY08 we will update our P.M. program for our heavy trucks and equipment. This new program will include an on going oil sampling program to reduce P.M. oil use. We are also using synthetic lubricants in other areas such as transmission and axle housings.

The work we are doing is not going unnoticed. In the July 2006 issue of Virginia Town & Cities, JCC was featured in an article titled – James City County realizes benefits from fuel consumption reduction. In October 2006 JCC was recognized as a model for petroleum reduction by earning the Leadership and Pioneer Efforts in Alternative Fuels Award from Virginia Clean Cities. In addition, during the Inaugural Energy Virginia Conference, JCC served as a leader and presenter for being stewards of the environment for petroleum reduction.

Current Status: For FY07 we show a petroleum reduction of 6% based on 2003 use.

Summary: Through the use of biodiesel, ethanol, electricity, more fuel efficient environmentally friendly vehicles and operational changes, we are making progress towards the goal set by the Board of Supervisors.

Department Descriptions

Department / Department ID
SERVICE AUTHORITY / 000
CO. ADMINISTRATION / 012
PLANNING DEPT / 016
DEVELOPMENT MGT / 017
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT / 020
COMMUNITY SERVICES / 022
REAL ESTATE / 025
F.M.S. / 029
SHERIFFS DEPT. / 061
COUNTY POLICE / 062
COUNTY FIRE DEPT / 071
E.M.S / 072
RADIO MAINTENANCE / 074
COLONIAL COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS / 092
ENVIRONMENTAL / 104
CODE COMPLIANCE / 105
SOLID WASTE / 108
MOSQUITO CONTROL / 109
EXTENSION OFFICE / 111
ANIMAL CONTROL / 121
GENERAL SERVICES / 140
BUILDING MAINTENANCE / 141
GROUNDS MAINTENANCE / 142
GROUNDS JAIL / 143
GROUNDS SCHOOLS / 144
PARKS / FACILITIES / 155
RECREATION / 156
RECREATION ADMIN / 161
CHICAHOMINY PARK / 165
HEALTH DEPT / 183
SOCIAL SERVICES / 191
FLEET MAINTENANCE / 196
LIBRARY / 813
TOANO FIRE / 816
TOANO EMS / 817
WAMAC / 818

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1/19/2008