Final Report Rochester Vehicle Fleet Alternative Fuels Systems Study

Project Background
The City of Rochester is currently within a non-attainment area for ground level
ozone. The Rochester Metropolitan Statistical Area is classified as a Clean Air Act
“Subpart 1 Basic” for the 8-hour ground level ozone standard; this is the least severe
type of violation classification of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard, though
nonetheless a violation. 1 As such, mitigation efforts are required to assist in lessening
emissions within the non-attainment area. During 2007, there may be some
modification of this non-attainment status. 2 Vehicular emissions are a substantive
source of the precursors of ozone. Diesel vehicles are also targets for national air
quality improvement efforts. The price of diesel and gasoline has been on an upward
trend for some years, with a high probability of continuance. The City determined
that an examination of its fleet for integration of alternative fuels, also known as
“clean” and/or renewable fuels, was an appropriate effort to undertake to determine
whether any portion of its fleet was appropriate for conversion to these fuels. The
City wished to conduct an analysis of its alternatives, and formed a Project Advisory
Council made up of members of staff from various city agencies (Department of
Environmental Services- Equipment Services, Bureau of Architecture &
Engineering), the Genesee Transportation Council, the New York State Department
of Transportation, and contract staff from the New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority via the Finger Lakes Energy Smart Communities program.
The City of Rochester Fire Department also assisted in the project.
The City engaged the Fleet Counselor Team to conduct the study; the team brought a
strong background in fleet evaluation, usability studies, operational studies, and
alternative fuels applications to the effort, entitled Rochester Vehicle Fleet
Alternative Fuels Systems Study. The study was performed from 4 th quarter
2006 to June 2007. Fleet database records were reviewed, interviews conducted with
staff, fueling facilities inspected, and numerous meetings and site visits held over the
study period. The Fleet Counselor team reported to the PAC on a regular basis. The
following report is the result of this process.
1 Genesee Transportation Council, “Transportation Conformity Statement for the Long Range
Transportation Plan for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region: 2007-2027 Update and 2007-2012
Transportation Improvement Plan”, June 2007, p. 1.
2 Per the April 4, 2007 edition of the Environmental Notice Bulletin, New York State plans to submit a
clean data petition to EPA on behalf of the Rochester MSA. If accepted by EPA, the Rochester
Metropolitan Area would be reclassified from Subpart 1 Basic non-attainment to maintenance in late-
2007 or early-2008.
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Final Report