AGENDA TITLE:
title
Adopt a Resolution Selecting Lodi Energy Center Hydrogen Conversion Project as Project Nomination for the 2025 San Joaquin Council of Governments One Voice Trip (PW)
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MEETING DATE:
January 15, 2025
PREPARED BY:
Public Works Director
recommendation
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a resolution Selecting Lodi Energy Center Hydrogen Conversion Project as project nomination for the 2025 San Joaquin Council of Governments One Voice Trip.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) is again developing regional priorities in preparation for the annual “One Voice” lobbying trip to Washington, D.C. The One Voice trip is an opportunity for all jurisdictions in the county to work cooperatively to secure Federal funds.
To maximize funding success, SJCOG developed a process to review and evaluate project applications. The process includes determining project eligibility based on established criteria and an ad-hoc committee to review the applications. Each jurisdiction will be limited to submitting one regionally significant project application for One Voice nomination.
Below are the criteria by which the projects will be evaluated.
• Project must be regional in nature and have a federal nexus.
• Must be at or near completion of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) clearance.
• Be sufficiently developed to leverage federal assistance (shovel ready).
• Projects should be targeted for appropriations in the Federal Fiscal Year 2025.
City staff recommends requesting funds for Lodi Energy Center Hydrogen Conversion Project (Project). The Lodi Energy Center Hydrogen Conversion Project is planned to be constructed in Lodi near the City Water Pollution Control Facility and will demonstrate the use of hydrogen across multiple applications including power supply, transportation, port operations and research and development opportunities. Lodi is a participating member in NCPA’s Lodi Energy Center (LEC) 300 mega‐watt natural gas facility, which was recently upgraded to operate using up to a 45 percent hydrogen blend. The Project will use excess renewable energy when it is available to produce hydrogen on‐site to power the LEC. Stored hydrogen will then supply clean energy when renewable energy production such as solar declines late in the day. The availability of hydrogen will ultimately provide greater reliability to the state energy grid as reliance on renewable and sustainable sources increase.
The Project aligns well with the One Voice program requirements as it directly addresses issues of regional significance to federal legislators and agencies. This project is deemed substantially shovel ready and would be able to take advantage of funding appropriations in the Federal Fiscal Year 2025. The design for the facility is already underway as part of previous project planning activities.
Staff recommends Council adopt a resolution to select Lodi Energy Center Hydrogen Conversion Project as project nomination for the 2025 San Joaquin Council of Governments One Voice Trip.
STRATEGIC VISION:
2B. Economic Development: Expand and diversify economic opportunities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Not Applicable.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
Not Applicable.
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Charles E. Swimley
Public Works Director
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Jeff Berkheimer
Electric Utility Director
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Scott R. Carney
City Manager