Resolution Approved Today will also Provide 15 CNG Diesel Engines to be Retrofit into Existing Cars and Trucks

Suffolk Executive Steve Levy today said Suffolk plans to expand its use of alternative fuels in the county fleet through the purchase of 15 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) heavy-duty vehicles.A resolution sponsored by Levy and passed by the county legislature today authorizes $4.4 million towards the purchase of the 15 vehicles, as well as 15 CNG diesel engines that will be retrofit into existing county vehicles.

Levy said the Federal Highway Administration will reimburse Suffolk for 80 percent of this project, leaving the final cost to Suffolk at $880,000.

“It makes fiscal and environmental sense to wean ourselves off foreign-based gasoline,” said Levy. “Compressed Natural Gas is less expensive and cleaner burning than gasoline, and in more abundant supply.”

The county executive said that the CNG purchase is the latest in his efforts to “green” the county’s fleet, which to date has 70 hybrid vehicles operating for regular use with plans to purchase another 70. Additionally, Suffolk has increased the use of bio-diesel fuels in its heavy duty fleet.

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