HomeMy WebLinkAboutLtr. of Cmtmnt US Dept. of Energy Clean Cities FY 09REQUEST:
SUBMITTED BY:
DATE:
CONTENTS:
Recommendation
CITY OF PALM DESERT
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
STAFF REPORT
IT
SUBMITTAL OF A LETTER OF COMMITMENT TO PARTICIPATE
UNDER THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CLEAN CITIES
FY09 PETROLEUM REDUCTION TECHNOLOGIES PROJECTS
FOR THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR.
John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager
May 21, 2009
1. Proposed Letter of Commitment
By Minute Motion, that the City Council:
1. AUTHORIZE the City Manager to Execute a Letter of Commitment to
Participate under the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities FY09
Petroleum Reduction Technologies Projects for the Transportation Sector.
Discussion
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) indicated its willingness to
team with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments' (CVAG) member
jurisdictions to participate under the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities FY09
Petroleum Reduction Technologies Projects for the Transportation Sector.
The benefit of this collaborative approach is to meet the $5 million minimum funding
requirement of this program. This application could be solely for the Coachella Valley
region if enough projects are identified, or it can be combined with other areas within
SCAQMD for a regional application.
The Clean Cities Program offers $300 million to support at least 30 alternative fuels or
advanced vehicles projects and requires a fifty percent (50%) participant cost share.
CVAG staff indicated that the City's costs of purchasing standard vehicles before any
CNG conversion should meet this matching requirement. These funds would only pay
for the differential cost between standard and alternative fuel vehicles.
Technologies eligible for funding include a number of different Tight and heavy-duty
vehicles, including hybrid, plug-in electric hybrid, hydraulic hybrid, electric, fuel cell, and
compressed natural gas vehicles. In addition, projects can support refueling
infrastructure for alternative fuels, including biofuels and natural gas. Other efforts
eligible for funds include public awareness campaigns and training programs on
alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles and infrastructure.
Letter of Commitment -DOE
May 21, 2009
Page 2 of 2
This funding request doesn't require a Letter of Commitment, but SCAQMD and CVAG
staff indicated that such a document demonstrates project readiness and may result in a
more favorable funding consideration
Fiscal Impact
The City of Palm Desert is requesting funding for various fleet service vehicles (ten
CNG pickup trucks, six CNG sedans, and two Hybrid SUVs) and for a future CNG
ambulance medic unit. The total amount requested for funding is $846,000. The City's
portion of these funds would be the differential costs as previously indicated. Staff
anticipates this cost differential to be approximately $602,000.
Submitted by:
Steen . Aryan
Assistant to theanager
/ 7/
Appd by:
o n M. Wohlmuth
7ty Manager
Reviewed by:
Paul S.
Director 16f Fj nce/City Treasurer
CITY COUNCIL ACTION
APPROVED ✓ DENIED
RECEIVED OTHER
MEETING DATE 5 0/-O T
AYFS•,p/?SD/1) Fe usbn,F1ier-fy, /'e/
NOES: Af 0fl
ABSENT: Nen e-
ABSTAIN: Al j')n
VERIFIED I3Y:
Original on File with City Clerk's Office
a \CityMgr\Stephen Aryan\Agenda Reports\DOE Letter of Commitment.doc
May 22, 2009
U.S. Department of Energy
National Energy Technology Laboratory
626 Cochrans Mill Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940
Dear Sir or Madam:
Subject: Clean Cities FY09 Petroleum Reduction Technologies Projects for the
Transportation Sector (Funding Opportunity Number DE-PS26-09NT01236-04)
The City of Palm Desert is pleased to join the Coachella Valley Clean Cities Coalition as
a project partner in an application funding request for alternative fueled vehicles and natural gas
fueling infrastructure projects. These projects are funded under the U.S. Department of Energy,
Clean Cities FY09 Petroleum Reduction Technologies Projects for the Transportation Sector
(Area of Interest #4).
This correspondence serves as a statement of the City's commitment to purchase alternative
fueled vehicles and/or natural gas fueling infrastructure if its funding application is successful. Palm
Desert's participation is described in the proposal submitted by the Coachella Valley Clean Cities
Coalition and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. This commitment was authorized
by the Palm Desert City Council on May 21, 2009.
The vehicles and/or infrastructure purchased will reduce Palm Desert's use of petroleum
and expand the use of alternative fuels, with associated benefits to the economy and the
environment relative to reduction in criteria/toxic pollutants and greenhouse gas reduction.
Should you have any questions or comments on this matter, please contact Stephen Y.
Aryan, Assistant to the City Manager, or me at telephone no. (760) 346-0611. We appreciate
the opportunity for funding to support our alternative fuels/technology program and look forward
to your favorable consideration of this application.
Sincerely
John M. Wohlmuth
City Manager
cc: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Thomas Kirk, Coachella Valley Association of Governments
Katie Barrows, Coachella Valley Association of Governments
Dean Saito, South Coast Air Quality Management District
Sheila Gilligan, Assistant City Manager, Community Services
Homer Croy, Assistant City Manager, Development Services
Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works
Patricia Scully, Sr. Administrative Analyst
Stephen Aryan, Assistant to the City Manager