Explanation
This legislation is to authorize the purchase of one (1) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Mobile Tire Service Truck for the Finance and Management Department, Fleet Management Division as part of the Congestation Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant. This mobile tire service truck will replace an older unit that is beyond its useful service life. The Fleet Management Division is responsible to repair and replace tires on City vehicles that become inoperable on roadways.
The CMAQ grant was awarded to the Fleet Management Division, from the Ohio Department of Transportation, sponsored by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC). The goal of the project is to significantly reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles. Ordinance 1178-2008 was passed on July 17, 2008 authorizing the acceptance and appropriation of this grant. Three interrelated projects are part of the grant: emission-reduction retrofit equipment purchases, anti-idling equipment purchases and CNG vehicle purchases.
CNG vehicles produce significantly lower amounts of harmful emissions such as nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and toxic and carcinogenic pollutants. Natural gas is a domestically available, inherently clean-burning fuel. Using compressed natural gas as vehicle fuel increases energy security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil and improves public health and the environment. Currently, CNG is also significantly lower in cost than either gasoline or diesel. The City of Columbus has paid an average of $2.77 per gallon year to date in 2010 for diesel fuel. CNG is currently retailing in Columbus for $1.50 per gge (gasoline gallon equivalent), a $1.27 per gallon or 46% savings in fuel cost.
Formal bids for the Mobile Tire Service Truck with Compressed Natural Gas engine option were received from four (4) vendors by the Purchasing Office on June 3, 2010 via SA003577. However, none of the bids included the CNG component. It is therefore in the best i...
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