Title
Environmental Management Department, Air Quality Management District, recommending adoption of Resolution 140-2007 to return the Lower-Emission School Bus Program Retrofit Grant Award to the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
|
|
Total Estimated Cost |
|
$114,821.89 |
|
|
|
Funding |
|
|
Budgeted |
$112,729.04 |
|
New Funding |
$ |
|
Savings |
$ |
|
Other (Accrued Interest) |
$2,092.89 |
|
Total Funding Available |
$114,821.89 |
|
Change To Net County Cost |
|
$0 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: None
Background:
The State Budget Act of 2005 (SB77, Statutes of 2005, Chapter 38) allocated $25 million to California Air Resources Board (CARB) to clean up California's school bus fleet by replacing or retrofitting older, higher emitting school buses. Each participating air district in the retrofit program became eligible for portion of that retrofit funding. The Board's approval of Resolution 195-206 on June 21, 2006, allowed the AQMD to receive $112,729.04 grant award for installation of CARB-verified Level 3 technologies retrofit devices on eligible in-use diesel school buses operating in El Dorado County. The condition of this grant was that the funding had to be spent or obligated to finance CARB-verified technology retrofits for in-use diesel school buses by June 30, 2007, or the funding had to be returned to CARB. After numerous meetings, emails and telephone exchanges between school officials responsible for transportation issues and the AQMD, a decision was made not to utilize these funds due to potential incompatibility of retrofit devices with school buses, logistic issues with installation of onsite electric infrastructure to allow for required daily plug-in of the devices and, finally, the unavailability of local de-ashing service required to collect and properly dispose of ash from the retrofit devices.
Reason for Recommendation:
The school districts were unable to utilize the funding due to technical and infrastructure conflicts and the funds and estimated accrued interest of $114,821.89 ($112,729.04 + $2,092.85 approx. interest) must be returned to CARB by June 30, 2007.
The Resolution has been approved by County Counsel.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
Board to forward adopted Resolution to the AQMD.
Authorize Auditor Controller to issue a check in the amount of $114,821.89 to CARB or to CARB's designee.
Contact: Marcella McTaggart x5306