Agenda 09-03-19 Item 8-h - Acceptance of Grant for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and Approval of Budget Amendment #1-B

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4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impacts are applicable to this item: • CLEAN OR AVOIDED TRANSPORTATION Implement programs that monitor and improve local and regional air quality by: 1) promoting public transportation options; 2) decreasing dependence on single-occupancy vehicles, and 3) otherwise minimizing the need for travel. • RESULTANT IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AIR QUALITY Assess and where possible mitigate adverse impacts created to the natural resources of the site and adjoining area. Minimize production of greenhouse gases. Operating an electric vehicle in North Carolina has some of the lowest air quality impacts per mile of any personal or fleet vehicle. Electric vehicles are also the only vehicles that get cleaner over time since they depend on an electric grid that is regulated to be cleaner and to contain more renewable sources each year. Furthermore, supporting the creation of innovative new transit services such as mobility-on-demand creates the additional impact of reducing the dependence on single-occupancy fossil fuel powered vehicles. Improving local transportation- related air quality helps to protect the health of vulnerable populations in Orange County whose health is disproportionately affected by ground-level ozone and other emissions. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1) Accept $147,247 in reimbursement from the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) through their "Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT)" grant program to purchase a solar electric vehicle charging station, and update twelve (12) of the County's original electric vehicle charging stations, and lease the County's first plug- in electric passenger vehicle; 2) Approve Budget Amendment#1-B; 3) Authorize the Manager to sign the associated grant funding agreement and any other necessary documentation for the successful completion of this project pending final review by the County Attorney's Office; and 4) Direct staff to proceed with the project.