Ulster has a new law to make it greener

Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger has signed into law a number of changes to the county’s existing Green Fleet Policy that was adopted in 2015. The idea is to shift away from vehicles powered by engines that create exhaust emissions, although the shift will be gradual and the new law provides exceptions in the form of the wording “if technically feasible” for several new requirements.

The new legislation was shepherded through the legislature by Tracey Bartels, who is the body’s chairwoman.

“Since 2015, Ulster County has been a trailblazer in the realm of sustainable green fleet policies, and transitioning to a zero-emissions fleet underscores our continued commitment to reducing our impact on the environment and fighting climate change,”  Bartels said. “I am thrilled to support the county executive”™s ambitious climate agenda and partner to do our part to preserve a healthy planet for future generations.”

Ulster County operates more than 475 vehicles. About 100 of them are passenger cars and light-duty trucks. The county’s fleet is estimated to use more than 600,000 gallons of fuel each year and in so doing generates more than 5,000 metric tons of emissions.

The local law calls for the county to be using only zero-emissions passenger cars, light-duty trucks, vehicles used for transport and non-road equipment by 2035. By 2040, all medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are supposed to be zero-emissions.

“With the signing of this legislation, we are taking an important and necessary step to accelerate reductions of climate-damaging emissions from county operations,” Metzger said.

The new law requires that a minimum of 20% of the fleet by 2025 are green vehicles that have fewer environmental impacts than has been the norm, with at least 20% of the green vehicles being zero-emissions. After 2025, 100% of passenger and light-duty trucks that the county purchases, leases or obtains in some other way are supposed to be zero-emissions where technically feasible.

The law also requires that the county phase out older vehicles that it uses infrequently and those that are inefficient. It calls for the use of software to help county employees schedule more efficient use of motor vehicles. The new law also requires a training program to teach county employees how to drive more efficiently. It says the county must “keep apprised of the technological advances and product innovations for fleet vehicles, such as, but not limited to, the use of low-rolling-resistance tires and using nitrogen to inflate tires.”