The Marin County, Calif., Department of Public Works (DPW) will install a new fueling system across its eight fuel facilities to improve usage tracking and environmental safeguards and enhance employee safety. The county is also purchasing electrified vehicles to reduce fuel use and support its sustainability goals.

Fueling Stations Enter the Modern Age

A facility assessment in 2016 found that eight county-maintained fueling stations were obsolete because of the unavailability of replacement parts. Each fueling station was more than 20 years old and, due to the nature of the old equipment, fuel use was tracked manually at six of the eight locations.

The new fueling system is expected to improve safety by increasing protection against leaks and other environmental hazards. Canopies will be installed at two facilities, protecting employees during severe weather and protecting equipment from weather-related deterioration.

Upgrading the fuel system is estimated to cost $857,000. About $650,000 of this cost will be covered by the California Regional Water Quality Board as reimbursement for DPW clean-up efforts at former fuel sites in the area. The remaining funding will come from budget savings accrued by the Department of Public Works during the past fiscal year.

Continued Fleet Electrification

For further fuel reduction, the county will purchase two battery-electric vehicles and five hybrids to replace aging gasoline vehicles as part of its initiative to reduce the county’s carbon footprint.

This summer, the county fleet will add two Chevrolet Bolts and five hybrids of various brands at an estimated cost of $202,000. The county will apply to state and local grant programs to recoup costs based on available funds.

Marin County has purchased electrified vehicles since 2002. Today, the county fleet includes 80 hybrid vehicles and 12 electric vehicles, not including this summer’s new additions.