AGENDA TITLE:
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Receive Information on City of Lodi Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Master Plan and Adopt Resolution Authorizing Electric Utility Director to 1) Submit Application for U.S. Department of Transportation Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant; 2) Accept Funds if Awarded; 3) Execute Grant Documentation; and 4) Appropriate Funds ($15,000,000)
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MEETING DATE:
August 21, 2024
PREPARED BY:
Melissa Price, Assistant Electric Utility Director
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RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive information on the City of Lodi Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Master Plan and adopt a resolution authorizing the Electric Utility Director to 1) submit application for the U.S. Department of Transportation Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant; 2) accept funds if awarded; 3) execute grant documentation; and 4) appropriate funds in an amount not-to-exceed $15 million.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In August 2023, City Council authorized a Professional Services Agreement (Agreement) with ICF Consulting, LLC (ICF) to develop an EV Charging Infrastructure Master Plan (Plan) in the amount of $233,000.
The Plan is part of the City’s efforts to prepare for EV adoption across the City as a result of the State’s priority on electrification and decarbonization, as well as identify and incorporate better access charging opportunities for portions of the community that were historically disadvantaged. This Plan will guide the development of a publicly accessible EV charging network for everyday EV cars and trucks, as well as commercial vehicles. It is important to note that the final Plan must balance the need to support transportation electrification as well as future development within the load serving capabilities of the utility as it continues to invest in infrastructure upgrades and improvements in accordance with industry best practices and regulations.
Representatives from ICF will present to the City Council a summary of work completed to date on the Plan, including an analysis of existing conditions, feasibility assessment, siting analysis, public outreach and initial cost estimates. Based on preliminary information, a build out of public EV charging infrastructure to support needs through 2030 is estimated to cost approximately $15 million for which staff are proposing to apply for grant funding to support.
The CFI Program is a new competitive grant program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to strategically deploy publicly accessible EV charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in the places people live and work, urban and rural areas alike, along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. This round of funding makes approximately $800 million available to deploy EV charging and other fueling infrastructure projects in urban and rural communities in publicly accessible locations, including downtown areas and local neighborhoods, particularly in underserved and disadvantaged communities. There is a 20 percent match requirement, ideally from the private sector, and grant applications are due August 28, 2024.
STRATEGIC VISION:
5A. Infrastructure: Invest in innovative infrastructure with a high Return of Investment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Build out of public EV charging infrastructure to support needs through 2030 is estimated at $15 million.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
CFI grant funds, if awarded, could total up to $15 million. Match requirements would likely be secured through a partnership with a network provider once the Plan is complete and a business model is selected by Council to implement through a competitive solicitation process. Staff requests appropriation authority of up to $15 million, contingent upon grant award.
Staff will return to City Council for approval of an alternative financing plan for this effort if grant funds are not awarded.
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Jeff Berkheimer
Electric Utility Director
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Scott R. Carney
City Manager