Seattle’s Clean and Green Fleet Policy Resolution

Resolution Number: 30593


A RESOLUTION commemorating Earth Day, April 22, as a day to reaffirm the City of Seattle’s commitments to environmental protection and restoration and setting goals and targets for reducing fuel use and tailpipe emissions from the City’s vehicle fleet.

Date introduced/referred: Apr 14, 2003
Date adopted: Apr 21, 2003
Status: Adopted

RESOLUTION _________________

A RESOLUTION commemorating Earth Day, April 22, as a day to reaffirm the City of Seattle’s commitment to environmental protection and restoration and setting goals and targets for reducing fuel use and tailpipe emissions from the City’s vehicle fleet.

WHEREAS, for Earth Day 2003 the City of Seattle wishes to restate its pledge to conduct its operations in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner, to reduce its use of resources and generation of waste, and to lead by example; and

WHEREAS, gasoline and diesel emissions are the primary cause of air pollution problems in the Puget Sound region, including smog and particulates that contribute to public health concerns such as asthma, allergies, and emphysema, as well as environmental damage, including reduced visibility and forest health; and

WHEREAS, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s Air Toxics Evaluation completed in 2002 shows that at least 70 percent of Seattle’s air toxics risk can be attributed to diesel emissions and confirms the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Scale Air Toxics Assessment which shows the Puget Sound region in the top five percentile in the nation for air toxics; and

WHEREAS, gasoline and diesel fuel consumption is steadily increasing both nationally and locally due to more people driving more miles in vehicles that have an average fuel economy seven percent below that of 1987, and the City’s fleet of about 3250 vehicles consumes more than 2.4 million gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel a year; and

WHEREAS, the increased use of fossil fuel is not sustainable, increases the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, contributes to water and air pollution, and intensifies pressure for more oil drilling in environmentally sensitive areas; and

WHEREAS, Resolution 30316, passed in July 2001, called for the long- range environmental goal of stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases and committed the City to do its part to achieve that goal;

WHEREAS, the City of Seattle has already taken significant steps to lessen the environmental impact of its fleet operations – including reducing the fleet by 200 vehicles in 2002 so that the fleet is now at its 1998 level, switching to ultra low sulfur diesel fuel and funding the retrofitting of its most heavily used diesel trucks with advanced emission control devices, incorporating 189 clean green vehicles in its fleet of 2875 on-road vehicles, purchasing 10 two-wheeled personal mobility vehicle (Segways) for City use, and adding high fuel efficiency vehicles for Police and Fire Department non-first response vehicles; and

WHEREAS, Resolution 30309, passed in April 2001, called for the Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) and the Fleets and Facilities Department (FFD) to develop a comprehensive Green Fleet Plan to reduce fleet fuel use and emissions; NOW THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:

Section 1: The City of Seattle reaffirms its commitment to the goals and principles of Earth Day. Recognizing that reducing emissions and fuel use by the City fleet represents one of the most meaningful actions the City can take on Earth Day, the City Council hereby endorses the Clean Green Fleet Action Plan, which is “Attachment A” to this Resolution. The Action Plan, among other items, includes the following elements:

A. The City’s long-term intent is to have a fleet that is 100% clean and green, which means using clean fuels and vehicles that are the most fuel efficient, low emission vehicles available that meet the business needs of the City. By the end of 2003, OSE and FFD will conduct a study of the timing and life-cycle costs and benefits to achieve that goal.

B. The City’s short-term goals and targets are as follows:

1. By the end of 2003, at least 50% of new fleet compact cars purchased each year by the City will be either alternative fueled vehicles or have a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel efficiency rating of 45 miles per gallon or greater.

2. By September 2003, OSE, working with FFD and other appropriate departments, will develop an employee education program designed to help achieve the Clean Green Fleet Action Plan. This program will focus on reducing unnecessary vehicle-idling by City vehicles, proper tire inflation, using alternatives to driving and, when driving encouraging City employees to use the cleanest, most fuel-efficient vehicle possible for a given business use.

3. By the end of 2003, the City will convert its diesel fleet to a fuel blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% ultra-low sulfur diesel.

4. By the end of 2004, the City will complete the emission control device retrofit project on the 400 targeted heavy-duty diesel vehicles.

5. The City will continue to evaluate the use of Segway(tm) personal mobility vehicles for certain businesses uses, and will use Segways(tm) where life-cycle cost analysis and pilot projects demonstrate that they are cost-effective, including environmental benefits.

6. By the end of 2003, the City will assess the benefits and costs of purchasing low-sulfur content gasoline for City vehicles.

7. The City’s goal is to reduce its annual fleet fuel use to 2.3 million gallons by the end of 2005, which is a usage reduction of five percent compared to 1999.

Section 2. FFD and OSE are requested to report to the Council by the end of 2003 regarding progress in implementing the Clean Green Fleet Action Plan, specifically:

A. Results of the life cycle cost analysis of achieving a 100% Clean, Green Fleet.

B. The feasibility of further limiting the number of SUV’s in the City fleet or of substituting more fuel-efficient SUV’s for less fuel efficient ones.

C. Presentation of the employee education component of the Action Plan.

D. A timeframe for achieving the goal of a 100% Clean, Green Fleet and any recommended revisions to the Action Plan.

E. An update on efforts to work with other US cities to encourage the manufacture of cleaner, more fuel-efficient public safety vehicles.

F. Opportunities and strategies for the City to leverage existing programs and partnerships to extend the goals and messages of the Plan to Seattle area residents, businesses and public institutions.

Adopted by the City Council the ____ day of _________, 2003, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this _____ day of __________, 2003.

_________________________________

President __________of the City Council

THE MAYOR CONCURRING:

_________________________________

Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor

Filed by me this ____ day of _________, 2003.

____________________________________

City Clerk

(Seal)