Title
El Dorado County Air Quality Management District recommending the Board, acting as the Air District Board of Directors, consider the following:
1) Accept Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee grant award for $6,850; and
2) Authorize the Chair to sign a grant agreement with the Red Hawk Casino for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations in the Red Hawk Casino parking garage for use by the public.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost
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$6,850 |
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Budget - 14/15 FY
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$6,850 |
Budget - Future FY
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New Funding
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$6,850 |
Savings
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Other
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Total Funding Available
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Change To Net County Cost
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$0 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
The grant will provide $6,850 for construction and equipment. There will be no net cost to the County. Once installed, the Red Hawk Casino will have the option to require a fee for use of the EV chargers.
Background
Government Code Section 12012.85 created the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund for the deposit of moneys received by the State from Indian tribes pursuant to the terms of tribal-state gaming compacts. These moneys are appropriated by the State Legislature for grant funding for programs to address gambling addiction and address gaming operation impacts on state and local government agencies. El Dorado County annually receives a percentage of these funds to mitigate impacts from the Indian casino within its jurisdiction.
The Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee (IGLCBC) includes representatives from the County, the City of Placerville, and the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. The IGLCBC reviews applications for the Tribal Gaming Grant. The IGLCBC awarded $6,850 to AQMD for a project to install ten Level 2 EV chargers at the Red Hawk Casino. AQMD requests acceptance of the award and approval of the project agreement with Red Hawk Casino.
Reason for Recommendation
The western portion of El Dorado County is categorized as serious non-attainment of the state 1-hour ozone Ambient Air Quality Standard (AAQS) and severe non-attainment of the federal 8-hour ozone AAQS. The Lake Tahoe area is in transitional non-attainment of the federal 8-hour ozone AAQS. Ozone is formed by reactions between ozone precursor pollutants (primarily Volatile Organic Compounds and Nitrogen Oxides) in the presence of sunlight.
A major source of ozone precursor pollutants is emissions from fossil-fuel combustion. Fossil-fuel combustion is also a major source of Greenhouse Gases, producing primarily Carbon Dioxide, which is one of the key pollutants driving climate change. The greatest source of fossil-fuel combustion in El Dorado County is emissions from motor vehicles.
Traffic counts indicate the Red Hawk Casino generates 12% of the US Hwy 50 traffic in the casino area. Installing EV chargers at the casino, as well as throughout El Dorado County, will encourage electric vehicle use. Although pollutants are emitted during electricity generation, net emissions from vehicles utilizing California grid electricity are dramatically less. This is due in part to nearly 80% of California electricity being generated from renewable and low emission sources (hydro, wind, solar, nuclear, natural gas, etc). Increased partial and all electric vehicle usage will help El Dorado County reach attainment of the ozone AAQS and reduce traffic impacts from the casino. This will minimize environmental impacts and enhance economic activity, thereby improving public health.
Clerk of the Board Follow Up Actions
Clerk to provide AQMD with two signed copies of the Red Hawk Casino agreement.
Contact
Dave Johnston, APCO x7578
Concurrences
The agreement has been approved by County Counsel and Risk Management.