Referred to: The Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee (Chairman Hewitt and Legislators Donaldson, Greene, Litts, Nolan, Stewart, and Walls), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Collins, Hansut, Kovacs, Nolan, and Roberts)

Chairman of the Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee, Chris Hewitt, and Deputy Chair Richard Walls offer the following:

WHEREAS, this resolution has been submitted at the request of the County Executive on behalf of the Department of the Environment; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is designed to assist states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and to improve energy efficiency; and

 WHEREAS, the U.S. Department Of Energy EECBG Program final formula grant funding allocation to Ulster County is $81,150.00; and

WHEREAS, the Beam EV ARC is a mobile dual port electric vehicle charging unit paired with a solar panel, battery backup system, charging hub with electrical outlets, and trailer for transport, which may be deployed to support fleet and public EV charging and emergency response efforts; and

WHEREAS, the Beam EV ARC equipment has an anticipated purchase price of $142,018.56 per federal GSA contract 47QSWA21D0006 pricing; and

WHEREAS, the County desires to submit an equipment rebate purchase voucher application to the EECBG Program to support the purchase of a Beam EV ARC; and

WHEREAS, Executive Order 1 of 2023 directs the Department of Environment, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Ulster County Sheriff, to seek grant funding to complete, by 2025, the installation of electric-vehicle charging at County buildings and facilities to support a transition to a zero-emissions fleet; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature has Enacted Local Law No. 9 of 2015; A Local Law Establishing a Sustainable Green Fleet Policy, and subsequent amendments; and

WHEREAS, said Law established the commitment of the County to move toward zero-emission vehicles by promoting the use of electric, hybrid-electric, hybrid, and sustainable green vehicles by residents; and

WHEREAS, said Law further established a County fleet goal to ensure that a minimum of 20% of the fleet by 2025 are green vehicles with at least 20% of those being zero-emission; and thereafter, annually, that 100% of passenger and light duty truck vehicles purchased, leased or otherwise obtained will be zero-emission vehicles where technically feasible; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan identified utility failure and associated power outages as a Hazard of Concern for Ulster County; and

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 419 dated August 16, 2022, established Capital Project No. 644 - Site Ready Services for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in the amount of $317,807.00, for installations of electric vehicle charging stations at County-owned facilities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Director of the Ulster County Department of the Environment is hereby authorized to submit a voucher application to the U.S. Department of Energy EECBG for up to the maximum award amount for the purchase of a Beam EV ARC,

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                        NOES:    

Passed Committee: Energy, Environment and Sustainability on ______________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on ______________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

TBD – POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL 2024 REVENUE (REIMBURSEMENT) DOLLARS