NORWICH – The Chenango County Planning Department is plugging ahead with a plan to purchase four electric vehicles to be used for county business.

The department intends to utilize grant funds awarded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for a fleet of four electric vehicles that it says may consequently reduce transportation costs shouldered by other county-run programs.

NYSERDA has awarded the county $187,000 for the purchase, made possible by the county’s continuous participation in NYSERDA’s clean energy initiative. The Chenango County Planning Department sought authorization to submit for the grant from members of the county’s planning and economic development committee last week.

“We could get the money within three to four weeks of when we apply,” said Planning Department Director Shane Butler. “We’ll do that as soon as we get the authorization to do it.”