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C. 82

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Date:	March 30, 2021

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

AUTHORIZE Letter of Support for GRID Alternatives to PG&E Empower EV Program

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 03/30/2021

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Jody London, 925-674-7871

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: March 30, 2021
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

AUTHORIZE Letter of Support for GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit corporation, to PG&E to serve as implementer for the Empower EV (Electric Vehicle) Program, to reduce barriers to electric vehicle adoption in low and moderate-income communities.

FISCAL IMPACT:

None.

BACKGROUND:

PG&E is launching a new program, Empower EV, to reduce barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption in low- and moderate-income communities in Northern California, under a September 2019 decision by the California Public Utilities Commission. The $4 million program will provide incentives for up to 2,000 low- and moderate-income households to cover the cost of a residential EV charger, increase awareness of the benefits of EV adoption through targeted education and outreach, and provide information on other incentives and programs available to customers. In its request for proposals for an Implementer for the program, PG&E has named "the Bay Point to Discovery Bay corridor area" as a region of focus for Empower EV.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

GRID Alternatives (GRID), a Bay Area non-profit that installs solar energy in low income communities while providing job training, and helps low-income individuals access clean vehicles, is applying to be the implementer for Empower EV. GRID has a long history of working in Contra Costa County, installing over 700 rooftop solar projects, mainly in Richmond and Pittsburg. GRID has worked with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to help low-income residents access the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's Clean Cars for All program.

GRID would like the County's support as it applies to implement the Empower EV program.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Failure to authorize the letter of support could affect whether a qualified non-profit with a successful track record serving Contra Costa communities is selected to administer a program that will benefit County residents.