Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Carolyn Bloede, Director, Sustainability Department
Subject: Measure K: Resolution committing an allocation of Fleet Electrification Infrastructure Measure K Funds for the California Energy Commission Clean Transportation Program for Charging Infrastructure for the Government Fleets Grant Match Funding Requirement
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution committing an allocation not to exceed $1,972,250 of the Fleet Electrification Infrastructure Measure K funds to meet the California Energy Commission Clean Transportation Program grant match funding requirement for the Charging Infrastructure for Government Fleets Grant.
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BACKGROUND:
Measure K is the half-cent general sales tax initially approved by San Mateo County voters in November 2012 and extended in November 2016 for a total of thirty years.
On January 26, 2021, the Board adopted the Government Operations Climate Action Plan (GOCAP) (Resolution No. 077960), a comprehensive strategy to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from County operations and achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. A key emissions reductions strategy is to transition light- to mid-duty County fleet vehicles to zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) by 2035, which is anticipated to reduce County-generated emissions by 13.6 percent.
On March 14, 2023, the Board approved the Measure K budget for FY 2023-24, which allocated $5,000,000 of Measure K funds for fleet electrification infrastructure.
The California Energy Commission (CEC) Clean Transportation Program is a competitive grant program to fund construction of electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI) for use by government fleets and to aid local governments in meeting reduced vehicle emissions climate action plan goals. On September 18, 2024, the County received a Notice of Proposed Award from the CEC in the amount of $3,625,000 to be spent within four years of grant award. This award requires awardees to commit a 30 percent minimum grant fund match by resolution prior to formal award and agreement with the CEC, which is anticipated in May 2025.
Commitment of funds will leverage $1,972,250 of the already-approved $5,000,000 Measure K allocation to meet the 30 percent grant fund match minimum. Funds were matched in the County’s grant application in the amount of approximately 35 percent to make the application more attractive in a very competitive grant process. Together, the $3,625,000 of CEC awarded funds and the $1,972,250 of committed Measure K funds for the grant match will be used to install 150 EV charging ports at 13 County facilities for use by department fleet vehicles. Construction at all sites is expected to be completed by the end of calendar year 2028.
The GOCAP directs the County to install EVCI across County facilities to accelerate the adoption of ZEV in the County’s fleet. The Sustainability Department and Department of Public Works is collaborating on the installation of EVCI to enable 12 County departments across 13 facilities with a total of 253 light-duty vehicles to begin transitioning to a zero-emission fleet and begin eliminating the annual generation of approximately 504,674 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent.
DISCUSSION:
The County’s GOCAP is aligned with multiple statewide emissions reduction executive orders and regulations. Commitment of Measure K funds for this project supports the goals of State Senate Bill 32 requiring statewide emissions reductions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and achieving statewide carbon neutrality by 2045. The project will also better position the County to meet California Air Resources Board Advanced Clean Fleet regulation and Governor’s Executive Order N-79-20 requiring 100 percent of new light-duty in-state vehicle sales to be zero-emission by 2035 and medium and heavy-duty sales by 2045.
Use of Measure K funds to construct EVCI will enable departments to transition to zero-emissions vehicles and reduce pollution when providing countywide programs and services including public assistance, children and family, employment, veterans, and other community outreach.
Following adoption by the Board, the CEC will consider the grant award and agreement at a May 2025 Business Meeting. If awarded, the Sustainability Department will prepare a Board of Supervisors memorandum for consideration of grant acceptance.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
EQUITY IMPACT:
Transitioning to ZEVs supports community health by reducing pollution and emissions generated by County fleet vehicles. Removing internal-combustion engine vehicles, which produce higher levels of emissions and pollutants, can help reduce local rates of asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and other acute health and quality of life impacts.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Under the proposed resolution, the County would commit $1,972,250 of $5,000,000 in the Sustainability Department FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget Measure K allocation to fund the project. There is no new Net County Cost associated with this project.
ATTACHMENT:
1. State of California Energy Commission Notice of Proposed Award