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PROPOSAL:

Approve the Application Package and Eligible Funding Categories for the EVCharge Program as Part of FY 1997-99 AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Work Program; Authorize Execution of Agreements by Contracts Manager; and Authorize MSRC the Ability to Adjust Up to 10%

SYNOPSIS:

As part of its FY 1997-99 AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Work Program, the MSRC established a $2 million EVCharge Program to
reduce mobile source emissions by providing public charging infrastructure to support EVs in the Basin. Through a simplified application process, this program provides match funding to retrofit existing EV stations or construct new stations in deficient areas within four eligible categories. Eligible categories include major destinations (70% match), workplaces/fleets (40% match), charging site expansion (70% match), and municipal sites (50% match). The MSRC
requests Board approval of the application package and eligible funding categories. To streamline the process since approximately 100 applications are anticipated, the MSRC also requests authority to execute agreements by the Contracts Manager and the ability to adjust up to 10% on EVCharge contracts.

COMMITTEE:

Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee,
January 28, 1999, Approved Unanimously

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Approve the application process and categories eligible for match funds for the EVCharge Program as outlined in the attachment; and
2. Authorize execution of agreements by AQMD Contracts Manager, subject to Governing Board approval of projects, for the MSRC’s EVCharge Program as Part of the FY 1997-99 AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Work Program.

Gregory T. Winterbottom
Chair, MSRC

Background

In September 1990 Assembly Bill 2766 was signed into law (Health & Safety Code Sections 44220-44247) authorizing the imposition of an annual $4 motor vehicle registration fee to fund the implementation of programs exclusively to reduce air pollution from motor vehicles. AB 2766 provides that 30 percent of the annual $4 vehicle registration fee subvened to the AQMD be placed into an account to be allocated pursuant to a work program developed and adopted by the MSRC and approved by the AQMD Governing Board.

The second year of the two-year FY 1997-99 AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Work Program included $2 million for an EVCharge Program, the second phase of EV infrastructure planning and implementation intended to reduce mobile source emissions by providing public charging infrastructure to support EVs. Second year funding also included $125,000 for an EV Infrastructure Planning and Implementation Consultant to administer the EVCharge Program. The Planning Center was chosen through a formal bid process as this consultant. The Planning Center was tasked with developing an EV Infrastructure Strategic Plan, an application package, process guidelines and outreach materials to use in the implementation of the program. Once the Strategic Plan, the application package, and process guidelines have been approved by the MSRC, the Planning Center would oversee deployment of the EVCharge Program.

At its December 10, 1998 meeting, the MSRC approved the EV Infrastructure Strategic Plan, which included: 1) analyzing the placement of current EV charging station locations, reviewing other surveys/materials which analyze chargers and drivers; conducting surveys, and providing an analysis of the existing network; and 2) developing recommendations as to where the MSRC should fund future EV charging station locations. At this time there are 600 EVs within Southern California and 1,000 within the state. The region has 660 chargers at 220 stations, 60% of which have both inductive and conductive technologies, and 80% of which are publicly accessible in part because of MSRC funding requirements. The analysis revealed that there is a strong need for public infrastructure at the work place and destinations at which drivers conduct multiple business functions. The Plan includes funding 165 sites based on specific criteria.

Proposal

To implement these recommendations, the Planning Center developed an EVCharge Application Package detailing the funding available, the eligible match categories, and how to apply for funding. Through a simplified application process, this program provides match funding to retrofit existing EV stations or construct new stations in deficient areas within four eligible categories. Through an extensive outreach process with stakeholders and EV owners, eligible categories were developed to attract the greatest usage, and include major destinations (70% match), workplaces/fleets (40% match), charging site expansion (70% match), and municipal sites (50% match). If additional criteria are met, such that the site may fulfill a gap closure, is a new development, or provides stations at multiple sites, it may receive bonus funding beyond the match percentage indicated. The application timeframe is slightly over six months beginning February 12 and closing August 31, 1999. Funding will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis to applicants that satisfy the requirements. All projects must be completed by May 12, 2000, and match monies will be paid on a reimbursed basis only. Once reviewed and approved by a Subcommittee, the Technical Advisory Committee, and the MSRC, projects will be submitted on a monthly basis as they are received to the Governing Board for final approval.

The MSRC unanimously approved the EVCharge Application Package at its January 28, 1999, meeting and requests Board approval of the application package and eligible funding categories as part of the FY 1997-99 AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Work Program. Staff anticipates that approximately 100 applications will be received in response to this solicitation and recommends that, after Governing Board approval of the projects, authority to execute agreements on behalf of the AQMD and MSRC be granted to the AQMD’s Contracts Manager solely for the EVCharge Program. The Governing Board formerly granted this authority for the MSRC’s Local Government Subvention Fund Match Program that funded 100 projects with local governments.

The MSRC also requests authority to adjust individual contracts up to 10% of the contract value to cover concealed conditions that were not visible at the time a site estimate was prepared, or unforeseen circumstances that are beyond the control of a site owner. This authority was previously granted to the MSRC on charging station contracts within the $1.675 million Corridor Community Program.

Outreach

A brochure detailing the EVCharge Program will be mailed to the 2,000+ interested individuals and entities contained in the MSRC’s mailing database, to the cities participating in the AB 2766 City Subvention Program, to the existing 25 EV charge contractors funded under the MSRC’s EV Quick Charge Program, and other transportation agencies and businesses identified by AQMD staff. The brochure will also be mailed to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce and business associations. The perforated portion of the brochure may be returned to request a copy of the 48-page application package or interested individuals may call the AQMD to request a copy. The brochure will also be placed on the internet at AQMD’s web site [http://www.aqmd.gov, "Business & Job Opportunities" icon]. In addition, the 48-page application package will be placed on the Planning Center’s web page [www.planningcenter.com] and can be electronically downloaded if so desired.

The MSRC will convene a workshop on the EVCharge Program at which time a review of the application package will be conducted and copies of the package made available to attendees. The workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, March 31, at 9:30 a.m. in AQMD’s Conference Room CC6.

The MSRC will also explore the option of advertising the EVCharge Program in newspapers around the region when the release of several Program Opportunity Notices are advertised in late February as part of the MSRC’s FY 1999-2000 Work Program.

Resource Impacts

Health & Safety Code Section 44243(2)(c) requires the AQMD to deposit the discretionary fund revenues "in an account to be used, pursuant to Section 44244, to provide grants to fund projects for the exclusive purpose of reducing air pollution from motor vehicles." Since the monies for this program will be drawn from this special fund, there would be no fiscal impact on the AQMD’s operational budget.

Attachments

EVCharge Application Package

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