Agenda

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AD HOC COMMITTEE ON SUSTAINABILITY

Meeting Date:	07/31/2017
Subject: DISCUSS electric vehicle readiness in the County and PROVIDE DIRECTION to staff regarding preparation of an Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan.
Submitted For:	John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Department:	Conservation & Development
Referral No.:	N/A
Referral Name:	N/A
Presenter:	Jody London, DCD	Contact:	Jody London (925)674-7871

Information

Referral History:

On May 22, 2017, the Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee received reports from the Department of Public Works and the Department of Conservation and Development on progress implementing the County’s Climate Action Plan. Both departments recommended the County develop an Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan that could guide build-out of charging infrastructure across Contra Costa County and inform policies the Board might adopt related to electric vehicles.

Referral Update:

The PEV Toolkit provides the following suggested outline for EV Readiness Plans:

1. Update zoning and parking policies to facilitate access to and use of publicly available charging infrastructure;
• Compliance with American with Disabilities Act
• Signage
• Parking restrictions and incentives (free or reduced parking while charging? Free electricity? Time limits on parking spaces while charging?)

2. Update local building codes (Contra Costa County has done this for non-residential buildings, however the County does not have building codes for electric vehicle charging in residential structures);
• Infrastructure circuit specifications
• Installation recommendations for various building types
• Building load management

3. Streamline permitting and inspection processes;
• Streamlined permitting and inspection
• Permit fees

4. Participate in training and education programs for local officials;

5. Reach out to local residents and businesses;

6. Develop a regional public charging station site selection plan (this would include identifying facilities owned or leased by the County);
• Land use patterns, residential and work locations, travel routes
• Zoning, property type, building type for infrastructure
• Integration with transit, pedestrian, walk
• Policy for street-side charging infrastructure
• Street signage policies

7. Encourage local employers to install workplace charging;

8. Support local electric utility efforts to minimize grid impacts;

9. Develop and implement solutions for multi-unit dwelling properties;

10. Incorporate PEVs and charging into local vehicle fleets (this would include County fleet);

11. Create local incentives to encourage PEV usage and sales;

12. Encourage linkages with renewable energy.

In addition to the topics identified above, staff recommends that the County establish a funding source to provide local matching funds required for EV infrastructure charging grants. Staff also recommends the County develop a solar project development plan for County facilities that accounts for future EV deployment and identifies opportunities to use locally generated solar power for charging EVs.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

DIRECT the Directors of the Departments of Public Works and Conservation and Development, or their designees, to develop a Contra Costa County Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan by February 2018.

Fiscal Impact (if any):

At this point, staff anticipates preparing the Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan in-house. Staff will explore funding opportunities to help offset the cost of staff time, which otherwise will be paid by the General Fund and fees collected by the Departments of Public Works and Conservation and Development.

Attachments
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