County Executive Maggie Brooks announced that Monroe County’s Fleet Division has been ranked the 8^th best Government “Green Fleet” in North America by Government Fleet magazine. There are over 38,000 public fleets in North America.

“In an effort to continue to protect local taxpayers through reduced energy costs, Monroe County phased out traditional fuel vehicles by the end of 2011, which was successfully implemented one year ahead of schedule,”said Brooks. “This prestigious award not only demonstrates our commitment to being ethical stewards of the local environment, but shows how we continue to embrace ‘green’ initiatives that ultimately protect our community for future generations.”

Government Fleet examined criteria from various categories to determine the winners of its annual Green Fleet awards. Qualifications included: fleet composition, fuel usage and emissions, policy and planning, fleet utilization, executive and employee involvement and supporting programs.

Monroe County’s Fleet Division oversees 1,100 vehicles, including the Sheriff’s Office and Greater Rochester International Airport fleets. Fleet features a comprehensive program of alternative fuel use, which is backed by advanced fleet monitoring technology. The county has implemented ethanol-based E85 in all of its flex-fuel vehicles. Monroe County also utilizes biodiesel (B5 and B20) in its diesel vehicles.

Monroe County’s Fleet Center has received several awards from the American Public Works Association (APWA), including the 2004 and 2005 APWA Structural Award for public works facilities in New York State. The County’s Green Fuel Station won APWA’s 2008 Public Works Project of the Year (Genesee Valley Branch and New York State Award). Monroe County’s Fleet has also been honored by the Rochester Business Journal’s Environmental Leadership Award in the Alternative Energy use category.