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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF THE FEASIBILITY AND ADVISABILITY AS TO THE USE OF NATURAL GAS AS A FUEL ALTERNATIVE FOR COUNTY VEHICLES AND OF PLACING NATURAL GAS PUMPS IN COUNTY FACILITIES THAT NOW HAVE GASOLINE PUMPS FOR COUNTY VEHICLES

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WHEREAS, the County maintains a sizeable fleet of motor vehicles, the vast majority of which are powered by conventional fuels; and
WHEREAS, the County also operates and maintains various facilities dispensing conventional fuels, including gasoline, which service County vehicles; and
WHEREAS, emerging reports in the general, scientific, and industrial media have suggested that in recent years the United States has witnessed both the discovery of new sources of domestic natural gas and the advancement in technology for extracting and utilizing such natural gas, thereby creating an environment for increased domestic natural gas production; and
WHEREAS, it has also been reported that the use of natural gas may be both more environmentally �friendly,� and less expensive, when compared to other conventional sources of fuel typically used to power motor vehicles; and
WHEREAS, it is further reported that increasing the use of domestic fuel in lieu of imported fuel produces various economic, political and strategic benefits and furthers the goal of energy independence; and
WHEREAS, equipping existing County fuel-dispensing facilities with natural gas capabilities may provide various operational efficiencies and other advantages; and

WHEREAS, in light of the potential for the benefits discussed above, a study regarding the feasibility and advisability of the County a) utilizing of natural gas as an alternative fuel for its vehicles, and b) equipping existing County fuel-servicing facilities with natural gas dispensing capability, would be in the best interest of the citizens of Miami-Dade County;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to conduct a study as to: a) the feasibility and advisability as to the use of natural gas as a fuel alternative for County vehicles, including addressing: the feasibility of using compressed and/or liquefied natural gas to power County vehicles, the potential for utilization of public-private partnerships to supply such natural gas, and the revenue potential of allowing other governmental entities to purchase the natural gas from County facilities; and b) the feasibility and advisability of equipping existing County fuel-servicing facilities with natural gas dispensing capabilities, and further directing that such study include a costs/benefits analysis of such measures.
A report containing the findings and recommendations resulting from this study shall be submitted to this Board within 90 days of the adoption of this resolution.