Title
Retroactive Authorization to Apply For and Accept Federal Clean Diesel Grant Program Funds for Fiscal Year 2017-18 (Ordinance S-43813)
Description
Request retroactive authorization for the City Manager, or his designee to apply for and accept grant funds for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) federal grant, for an amount not to exceed $1,100,000. Further authorization for the City Treasury to accept and for the City Controller to disburse grant funds in accordance with the terms of aforementioned grant and agreement.
Report
Summary
The City fleet includes some older diesel vehicles with emissions that exceed those achieved by the most current emission control technologies. Emissions from diesel engines contribute to production of ground level ozone, a pollutant for which the Maricopa County region is not currently meeting federal health standards. The DERA program provides grant funding to assist in offsetting the cost of replacing higher polluting diesel emission engines with cleaner burning engines to reduce harmful emissions. Reducing vehicle emissions from the municipal fleet will demonstrate the City's commitment to lead by example toward the 2050 sustainability goal of clean air.
The U.S. EPA Region 9 will administer the Federal DERA Grant Program. If awarded, funding will be provided to retrofit or re-power medium- to heavy-duty fleet vehicles, or purchase a new low-emission fleet vehicle to replace old, high-polluting fleet vehicles, buses and equipment with 2017 models or newer.
Staff anticipates obtaining grant funds for the following projects:
* Installation of exhaust controls such as retrofit devices, diesel oxidation catalysts, crankcase emission control devices, verified idle reduction technologies, and particulate matter filters. The grant funds up to 100 percent of the cost.
* Replacement of older vehicles with 2017 or newer models. The grant funds up to 25 percent of the new vehicle cost.
The grant application deadline was July 5, 2017. Grant funds will be awarded for the period of Jan. 1, 2018, through Dec. 30, 2019, with all the projects to be completed by Dec. 30, 2019. The Public Works and Aviation departments have expressed interest in the program. If retroactive authorization to apply is not granted, the application will be withdrawn.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This item was recommended for City Council approval by the Sustainability, Housing, Efficiency, and Neighborhoods Subcommittee on May 16, 2017, by a vote of 4-0.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Office of Environmental Programs.