To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Accept $14,999,200 Federal grant for Electric Vehicle Chargers at 15 County libraries, Countywide.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute a Sub-Recipient Agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in the amount of $14,999,200 for the period of December 3, 2024 through June 1, 2030, for Electric Vehicle Chargers at 15 County libraries, Countywide.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The grant provides $14,999,200 for Electric Vehicle Charger design and construction at 15 county libraries. Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions, Inc. (EVCS) will provide the required grant matching funds. County staff time will be covered by Building Maintenance - General Fund. (80% Clean Fuel Infrastructure Program, 20%, Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions, Inc. matching funds)
BACKGROUND:
On February 1, 2023, Public Works Purchasing Division approved a Sole Source Justification in support of contracting with EVCS. On March 7, 2023, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors authorized Public Works to contract with EVCS to seek funding, design, implement, and operate Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC) at County libraries. On March 14, 2023, USDOT issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO, #693JJ323NF00004) for Clean Fuel Infrastructure (CFI) programs up to $15M for Community Program Grants.
On January 11, 2024, Contra Costa County was awarded a $14,999,200 Clean Fuel Infrastructure grant in partnership with EVCS (implementer).
This NOFO includes a $2.5B Clean Fuel Infrastructure (CFI) program and is tied to the ($5B) National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, with both programs funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). EVCS is the “Private Party” responsible for planning and implementing most program tasks and is providing the required 20% match funding.
Staff identified the opportunity to install publicly accessible DCFC stations at County libraries and other eligible sites across the County with no material cost to the County. This opportunity was created through a public private partnership with EVCS. EVCS will own, operate, and maintain the DCFC units and will establish new electrical service meters with PG&E to supply sites with dedicated electrical capacity. EVCS will be responsible for all material and labor costs associated with design, construction, maintenance, and operation of DCFC units, including electricity costs.
The County was awarded funding for 52 DCFC and 60 Level 2 units to be installed across 15 sites, accessible by all County fleet vehicles as well as the public. Staff is working closely with Cities within Contra Costa County that own library facilities, many of which have expressed written interest in this opportunity.
CFI program funds will provide critical DCFC access to both county fleet vehicles and privately owned vehicles throughout the county. This project aligns with the Board of Supervisors’ policy and direction on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure as well as the County’s EV Readiness Blueprint.
• On January 28, 2019, the Board of Supervisors directed Public Works to develop an Electric Vehicle charging station installation plan to help advance greater implementation of Electric Vehicle’s in the County fleet.
• On March 30, 2021, the Board of Supervisors directed Public Works to develop recommendations for a Sustainability Fund that could be used to support investments in County facilities that further the County’s environmental sustainability and climate change goals.
• On July 26, 2021, Public Works presented a summary of vehicle purchases, a list of existing and proposed EV chargers, and draft revisions to Administrative Bulletin 507.9 and 508.5 addressing electric vehicle charging, vehicle rental, purchasing and replacement policies to the Board of Supervisors.
Proposed Library Project Site List:
1. Antioch Library
2. Brentwood Community Center
3. Concord Library
4. Rankin Aquatic Center
5. Pittsburg Library
6. Prewett Library
7. San Pablo Library
8. Pleasant Hill Library
9. Hercules Library
10. Clayton City Hall
11. Dougherty Station Library
12. Moraga Library
13. Pinole Library
14. El Sobrante Library
15. Crockett Library (C&H Site)
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The County would lose out on lucrative federal funding from the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program to fund DCFC installations, lessening the County’s ability to provide accessible and reliable DCFC’s for the benefit and use of the County fleet and the public at large.