N. Hempstead closer to hybrid fuel facility

The Town of North Hempstead has taken a step toward having a facility where municipal vehicles could plug in their electric engines or fill up with compressed natural gas.

On March 8, the North Hempstead Town Board approved issuing a bond for up to $450,000 to begin design plans to construct a hybrid fuel facility. The town currently has hybrid vehicles and trucks that use compressed natural gas.

Supervisor Jon Kaiman said he envisions the facility, powered by solar energy, as a one-stop place for filling up with alternative fuels or powering up with electricity.

“We’re always looking for new ways to reduce our use of fossil fuels,” he said.

In 2009, the town received a grant for $570,900 for design work and another $600,000 federal grant is in the pipeline. Each one, however, comes with a requirement that the town match a portion of funds.

The bond will cover those match requirements, according to town spokesman Colin Nash. Design work is expected to take about one year.