Community college unveils lot for eco-friendly vehicles

DrLYe D 3rLuV Rr RWKer enerJy-eIfiFLenW FDr? Montgomery County Community College’s Blue Bell campus now has a parking ORW eDrPDrNeG MuVW IRr enerJy-eIfiFLenW YeKLcles, complete with 10 free charging stations for electronic cars.

Drivers can apply online for a parking space in the 185-space lot, which is near the Advanced Technology Center. The lot is open to students, professors and staff. Those who carpool to campus can also apply.

“We think it’s a great idea,” said Tom Frietag, vice president for administration and finDnFe.

The lot, which was open to anyone in its firVW weeN, KDV Eeen JDWeG DIWer /DERr DDy. As of last week, fewer than 100 people had applied to park there, but Frietag said he believes that will pick up now that students and staff are returning to the campus.

“AnyERGy wKR LV TuDOLfieG wLOO JeW D card,” said Frietag. “It’s our intent to give out DV PDny SDVVeV DV SeRSOe wKR Dre TuDOLfieG.”

Conventional vehicles with bPA ratings of 27 combined highway and city miles per gallon or higher will also qualify. The ratings for vehicles can be checked on the bPA’s website calculator for each make and model, he said.

The lot also features LbD lighting, which saves energy. The bulbs last longer and operate cooler than other lights.

“At the beginning of this project, we weren’W Vure we’G Ee DEOe WR finG Dn DSSrRpriate LbD lighting but we did,” said Frietag.

In addition, the new parking lot will have D VuEVurIDFe LnfiOWrDWLRn VyVWeP WR reGuFe storm-water runoff and helps groundwater recharge, preventing downstream erosion, RIfiFLDOV VDLG.

Also, helping to prevent erosion, rain garGenV wLOO FROOeFW e[FeVV rDLn wDWer IrRP ERWK the Advanced Technology Center parking lot DnG WKe rRRI RI 3DrNKRuVe HDOO. AnG VwDOeV with various plants and check dams will slow the rate of runoff.

The college’s Climate Commitment Advisory Council, which has about 15 members including students, helped shape the project.

“We’re very happy with it,” said Frietag. “The students are receiving it well.”

The lot will be open for general access on weekends.