ROCHESTER, NY - Monroe County, N.Y., received a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to retrofit four light-duty pickup trucks in the county fleet from conventional gasoline to run on liquid propane gas (LPG) and install infrastructure for a LPG fuel dispenser at one of its fueling stations, according to a release from the county.

According to Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks, the county's goal is to phase out traditional gas vehicles in its fleet by 2012.

The liquid propane gas project is scheduled to be operational by 2011. Under the terms of the grant, Monroe County and NYSERDA will also examine the effects of fuel mileage efficiency and emission on LPG engine vehicles.

Under a pre-existing inter-municipal agreement, the liquid propane gas will also be available for use by Monroe Community College, the Monroe County Water Authority, City of Rochester, and the region's 19 towns and 10 villages.

Monroe County's "Green Fleet" has won several awards, including being named one of the Top 100 Fleets in North America by Government Fleet magazine. The County's Green Fuel Station currently features several grades of alternative fuels, including E20 and E85 ethanol, biodiesel, compressed natural gas, and hydrogen fuel cells, according to the release.

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