A trend of increasing fuel prices has Norman officials considering bold moves to evolve its fleet to use more alternative fuels.
Public Works Director Shawn O'Leary and the City's fleet superintendent Mike White proposed to councilmembers at their Tuesday study session increasing the use of alternative fuels and alternative vehicles.
The move would require more upfront costs, but could yield savings in the long run.
O'Leary and White said it would reduce harmful emissions, fuel costs and "contribute to a cleaner environment and a greener Norman."
"I don't see fuel prices coming down," O'Leary said. "I see this City as being on the leading edge."
The City staff is proposing much of its fiscal year 2009 annual vehicle replacement purchases be made on alternative fuel vehicles. That would include two garbage trucks, three compressed natural gas light duty trucks, nine hybrid vehicles, 14 biodiesel or B-20 vehicles and 12 flex fuel vehicles.
The City currently has 742 rolling stock, which includes two hybrid and nine CNG vehicles. There are 125 non-rolling stock, which includes brush hogs and trailers.
Benefits of natural gas vs. diesel garbage trucks are dramatic on reduction of noise and air pollution.
"These are pretty compelling," O'Leary said.
Particulate matter from the trucks can be reduced from 67 to 94 percent, with noise reduced by up to 98 percent if standing beside the truck.
Increased cost of garbage trucks would be about $20,000 to $40,000 more, O'Leary said, over the typical $210,000 price. The trucks require extra fuel tanks to avoid having to return to refuel in the middle of sanitation runs.
"We are getting a lot of good feedback (on alternative fuel vehicles)," White said.
The flex fuel vehicles would likely be police cars.
Use of CNG increases vehicle cost by $15,000, with an annual fuel cost savings of $2,500. The cost recovery period is six years.
Although there are increased inspections and tune-up costs, O'Leary said the City has two certified CNG technicians already.
The hybrid vehicles have an increased cost of $4,000.
O'Leary and White proposed capital improvements of developing CNG infrastructure fast-fill and slow-fill stations. Cost per gallon of CNG would be $1.01.
The City has above-ground CNG tanks at Fire Station No. 5 and is looking at developing a southside fueling facility.
At a fast-fill station most vehicles can be refueled in minutes. A slow-fill refueling takes advantage of overnight hours or while the vehicle is not in use, and receives a 50-cent per gallon reimbursement from the federal government.
Until that happens, the University of Oklahoma has offered the City of Norman the ability to buy CNG for $2 a gallon at its new CNG facility.
O'Leary and White said the City also should hire a grant consulting firm to secure available funding to support the conversions.
They said the advantage of being on the leading edge include being prepared for future mandates if emissions bills are passed, environmental stewardship and possible future cost savings.
Ward 7 councilmember Doug Cubberley said alternative fuel vehicles could be particularly important considering those factors.
"To me, this is a no brainer --?let's try them," Cubberley said.
Carol Cole-Frowe 366-3538 ccole@normantranscript.com
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