Title
El Dorado County Air Quality Management District (AQMD) recommending the Board, acting as the Board of Directors of the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District Board of Directors:
1) Consider modifications to the AB2766-funded Electric Vehicle Charging Station Equipment (EVSE) program for County businesses and organizations; and
2) Authorize Air Pollution Control Officer to execute grant funding agreements for this EVSE grant program for awarded projects based on the upcoming Request for Proposals up to a cumulative total amount of $100,000 in FY2025/26 and up to the Board-approved amount for awarded projects in FY2026/27.
FUNDING: AB2766 DMV Surcharge funds.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Air Quality Management District (AQMD) recommending the Board of Supervisors, acting as the AQMD Board of Directors, consider the following modifications to the AB2766 funded Electric Vehicle Charging Station Equipment (EVSE) program for County businesses and organizations as outlined below:
1. Modify the maximum amount of the grant from $5,000 to $10,000 per charging plug;
2. Allow approved grantees to provide a monetary match of 15% to the grant or provide free electricity to charger users for two (2) years as an in-kind match;
3. Expand eligible businesses to include multi-family residential locations;
4. Remove the requirement that the charger must be available to the general public and allow usage by business customers and multi-family residential residents; and
5. Update requirements to include updated building code regulations and to make clerical updates.
6. Authorize Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO) to execute grant funding agreements for this EVSE grant program for awarded projects based on upcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) up to the cumulative total amount of $100,000 in FY2025/26 and 2026/27.
El Dorado County is in nonattainment for the federal ozone standard. Motor vehicle emissions are the primary contributor to ozone. In 1990, AB2766 authorized air districts to assess motor vehicle registration fees to reduce motor vehicle emissions and implement the California Clean Air Act. On December 11, 1990, the Board of Directors adopted Resolution #90-488 that set the motor vehicle registration fee at $2.00 per registered vehicle. On June 14, 2001, the Board of Directors adopted Resolution #01-21 increasing the fee from $2.00 to $4.00 per registered vehicle.
On June 6, 2017, Legistar file 17-0554, the Board approved the award of 2 EVSE grants for projects proposed by County businesses in response to a RFP issued by AQMD in March 2017 totaling $15,000 ($5,000 per charging plug). Additionally, the Board approved the release of future RFPs and authorized AQMD's APCO to execute funding agreements for approved projects based on these RFPs up to a cumulative total of $175,000 during FY2017/18 and FY2018/19.
On August 27, 2019, Legistar file 19-1247, the Board approved the award of 3 EVSE grants for projects proposed by County businesses in response to a RFP issued by AQMD in March 2019 totaling $35,000. Additionally, the Board approved the release of future RFPs and authorized the AQMD's APCO to execute funding agreements for approved projects based on these RFPs up to a cumulative total of $300,000 thru June 30, 2022.
On July 19, 2022, Legistar file 22-0835, the Board approved the release of future RFPs and authorized AQMD's APCO to execute funding agreements for approved projects based on these RFPs up to a cumulative total of $200,000 thru June 30, 2025.
From the RFPs released and funding agreements authorized by the Board, AQMD has funded a total of 10 projects with a total of 26 chargers, with only 2 chargers funded in the last 2 fiscal years. AQMD believes that the increase of grant funding from $5,000 to $10,000 per charging plug, the addition of multi-family residential locations, and the flexibility in the match requirements will increase the interest in this grant program. AQMD has $100,000 budgeted in the adopted FY2025/26 budget for this program and anticipates to budget a similar amount in FY2026/27 unless demand increases.
AQMD is planning to release the attached Request for Proposals (RFP) on September 29, 2025, which will have a deadline of November 21, 2025 for submittals of proposed EVSE projects to be installed during FY2025-26. AQMD staff will continue to conduct outreach activities to make businesses aware of the funding opportunity. Proposals will be evaluated for eligibility and cost effectiveness, and if deemed eligible projects, the District will enter into a funding agreements with the grantees.
To solicit EVSE project proposals and make funding available in a timely manner, AQMD plans to release additional RFPs for AB2766 funded EVSE projects with approximately two-month proposal periods. We request that the Board authorize the Air Pollution Control Officer to execute future agreements for eligible projects through June 30, 2027, up to a cumulative total of $100,000 of funding for projects awarded in FY2025/26 and funding for projects up to the amount budgeted in the Board adopted FY2026/27 AQMD budget for projects awarded in FY2026/27. County Counsel and Risk Management will review and approve the funding agreements for all projects awarded as a result of these RFPs. Information on awarded projects will be posted on AQMD's grants and incentives website (EDCCleanAir.org).
ALTERNATIVES
If Board does not approve the modifications, the District believes demand for this program will remain to be low and opportunities to reduce local motor vehicle emissions will be missed.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
June 6, 2017 - Board approved 2 grants and authorized APCO to sign funding agreements up to a cumulative $175,000.
August 27, 2019 - Board approved 3 grants and authorized APCO to sign funding agreements up to a cumulative $300,000
July 19, 2022 - Board authorized APCO to sign funding agreements up to a cumulative $200,000.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
AB2766 funds are budgeted in AQMD's adopted FY2025/26 budget for this program. No General Fund or Discretionary Funds used.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board shall forward one (1) signed Minute Order for this item to AQMD.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Safe and Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Rania Serieh, Air Pollution Control Officer