ORANGE PARK – The Orange Park Town Council heard a pair of presentations from the area’s leading transportation entity and water regulator.

North Florida Transportation Planning Organization Clean Fuels Coordinator Elizabeth De Jesus said the agency’s purpose is to develop a long-term transportation improvement plan.

The organization is a member of the Clean Fuels Coalition, a nonprofit. The coalition advocates for alternative fuels, electric vehicles, reducing fuel consumption, improving air quality and developing regional economic opportunities.

Since 2009 when the North Florida chapter of the coalition was founded, De Jesus said it has raised $5 million for environmental purposes. The coalition doesn’t support one type of alternative fuel over another, according to De Jesus.

“We’re fuel neutral, which means we help fleets find the best use for their needs,” she said. De Jesus later addressed the coalition’s electric vehicle dashboard, which shows five charging stations in Clay County. It said there are 566 registered electric vehicles in Clay County, and about 50% are Tesla vehicles.

TPO Public Affairs Manager Marci Larson said the charging station in the Orange Park Town Hall parking lot was initially part of the coalition’s push into the area. She said the TPO and the town have been partners for a long time and the clean fuels program could open up other funding streams.

“It is our responsibility to come to you and other commissions and town councils … after having visited with fleet managers and public works directors, just to make sure they understand there are some new options available,” Larson said.

Council members also presented a proclamation for Water Conservation Month and passed the second reading of an irrigation ordinance, which was requested by the St. Johns River Management District. Its standards are similar to what is in place at the county level. 

District Intergovernmental Coordinator Doug Conkey said water conservation isn’t confined to a month or a day, but is something people should try to do every day. He mentioned the district’s efforts to plug 62 artesian wells, saving more than 10 million gallons of water.

“This is a very important endeavor,” he said.