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Facilities
New Employee Orientation for Petroleum Fuel Reduction Plan
Transportation Fuel Petroleum Displacement Plan
Submitted by:
Hoyte Phifer
Assistant to Director of Physical Plant
Introduction
The University of North Carolina Greensboro is a diverse organization student-centered research university, linking the Triad and North Carolina to the world through learning, discovery, and service. As a research intensive institution, it is committed to teaching based in scholarship and advancing knowledge through research. The College of Arts and Sciences and six professional schools offer challenging graduate and undergraduate programs in which students are mentored by outstanding teachers, including nationally and internationally recognized researchers and artists.
Through this mission there are a variety of vehicles necessary to support the campus (vans, automobiles for supporting administrative support, light and heavy duty trucks, tractors, mowers, buses for campus Park and Ride services etc. The Motor Fleet also maintains and operates vans, and automobiles for rental usage. The Motor Fleet Division in Raleigh regulates these vehicles.
In recognition of the contribution the increased use of alternative fuels will bring to improving air quality and in recognition of the importance of reducing the nation's dependence on imported petroleum, UNCG is committed to a submitting a transportation fuel displacement plan. Our strategies include replacement of traditionally fueled vehicles with flexible fuel vehicles (FFV's), increasing the use of flexible fuels in its vehicles, and acquiring vehicles with increased fuel efficiency. Student and staff education should continue to help build support for the fuel displacement plan.
Present Groupings
Total leased vehicles ( Motor Fleet ) 27
Total titled ( to UNCG ) 159
Total gas vehicles (vehicles with odometers) 159
Total gas vehicles (without odometers) 24 (includes lawnmowers)
Total diesel vehicles with odometers 14
Total diesel vehicles without odometers 26
Total FFV's 13
Total electric vehicles 17
Total on road 167
Total off road 93
The age of our fleet ranges from 1984 to 2006 with approximately 200 vehicles on the campus. Our existing fueling station has been converted to provide Bio Diesel and Gasohol. The fueling station pumps and tanks are approximately 10 years old. The present location is not expandable due to space limitations.
Fuel Displacement Strategies
There are essentially two strategies available to the University to reduce fuel use and emission:
- Increased efficiency - more efficient vehicles and more efficient use, i.e., burning less fuel.
- Cleaner operating vehicles, i.e. cleaner fuels and cleaner engine operations
Reduction of Petroleum Product / Cleaner Operating Vehicles
The problem: Internal combustion engines are responsible for a variety of harmful pollutants, some of which are regulated (known as "criteria pollutants") and some of which are not. Public health concerns include eye irritation, reduced lung capacity and for people with allergies and lung diseases like asthma and emphysema, a worsening of those conditions. Particulates and ozone also degrade the environment by reducing visibility and damaging trees, particularly in the areas, which receive the greatest concentrations of prevailing winds.
Measures to achieve reduced petroleum usage / cleaner operating vehicles:
- Bio diesel - In July 2005 the Physical Plant was among the first in our area to switch to a cleaner fuel for its entire fleet. This measure alone cuts toxic emission for each diesel-fueled vehicle by approximately ten percent.
- Gasohol - E10 In October 2005 the Physical Plant was among the first in our area to switch to a cleaner fuel for its entire fleet. This measure alone cuts toxic emission for each petroleum-fueled vehicle by approximately ten percent.
Recommended action: Maintain current level of efforts.
- Alternative fueled vehicles. Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) operate on fuels other than petroleum-based gasoline and diesel.
It is important to note that the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) mandates the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles by federal, state and fuel provider (utility) fleets.
Recommended action: Expand current efforts. The University of North Carolina Greensboro's strategy will be to acquire Alternative Fuel Vehicles of new light duty vehicles and to monitor replacement of vehicles and to request replacement of gasoline and diesel-fueled vehicles with AFVs.
When E-85 becomes available in Greensboro, its use will be encouraged.
All ¾ ton trucks will be replaced as permitted with diesels.
- Maintenance. Proper vehicle maintenance is essential to ensure the cleanest possible emissions and better fuel efficiency.
Well-maintained engines and properly inflated tires can significantly increase fuel efficiency for both cars and trucks. Current maintenance checks are not adequate to ensure that tires are properly inflated. Studies show that one tire under-inflated by two pounds per square in (psi) will increase fuel consumption by one percent.
Recommended action: Expand current efforts including launching an employee education program in 2006 that focuses on reduced idling, alternatives to driving, proper tire inflation, and vehicle maintenance.
A reduce idle time policy will be implemented.
Conservation:
The University recognizes the need to conserve fuel through means such as driving habits and maintenance of vehicles. Education will be a key factor in seeing that our campus community stays aware of our conservation efforts. The state's energy goals, and vehicle and fuel technologies should help build support for the petroleum fuel displacement plan. This measure in combination with other public awareness measures will result in a reduced length of time for the new technology acceptance process.
New employee orientation by our Human Resources Department will include knowledge of Petroleum Displacement Plans for State Agencies (section 19 of the budget bill) and tips on increasing fuel economy.
Fuel petroleum displacement reminder decals will be placed in all vehicles and in high visibility areas.
Vehicles:
The University of North Carolina Greensboro's strategy will be to acquire Alternative Fuel Vehicles of new light duty vehicles and to monitor replacement of vehicles and to request replacement of gasoline and diesel-fueled vehicles with AFVs.
All ¾ ton trucks will be replaced as permitted with diesels.
Where feasible electrical vehicles will be substituted for gasoline powered vehicles.
Fuels:
Our existing fueling station has been converted to provide alternative fuel. The University has converted to B -20 in July 05 and E -10 in October 2005. Our July 1, 2004 - July 1, 2005 total fuel consumption was 68,954.40 gasoline/diesel gallons. The required petroleum fuel reduction is 13,790.88 gallons.
Synthetic motor oil, transmission fluids and rear end oils will replace petroleum oils in all vehicles 1998 and up as scheduled by Preventative Maintenance Schedules.
Reporting:
Reporting will be in accordance with section19.5. (c) of the 2005 Budget Bill.