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2024 North Carolina Mobile Sources Emissions Reductions Grant
PURPOSE: This agenda item seeks approval from council to apply for the 2024 North Carolina Mobile Sources Emission Reductions Grant. This state opportunity is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Diesel Emissions Reductions Act (DERA) program.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: PZICAT and Finance
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
___ Race/Equity __X__ Climate __X__ Comprehensive Plan ____Other
Council Direction Statement
The North Carolina Mobile Sources Emissions Reductions grant aligns with several of the Town Council’s strategic objectives. This program would support implementation of the Comprehensive plan as well as the Community Action Climate Plan. The Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan <https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12199/Carrboro-Connects-Plan-ADOPTED-2022-06-09-compressed?bidId=> was developed with the foundational themes of race and equity and climate action. Chapter 10: Municipal Operations, recommends reducing greenhouse gas emissions due to municipal fleet operations. One strategy mentioned is to replace internal combustion vehicles with electric vehicles and/or alternative fuel vehicles as the market continues to improve.
This grant will support the implementation of the Energy and Climate Protection Plan <https://www.townofcarrboro.org/DocumentCenter/View/8962/Energy-and-Climate-Protection-Plan---Updated-Oct-2020> (ECPP). The ECPP is a companion to the Community Action Climate Plan. It shares a similar goal (reducing 2010 emissions 80% by 2030) but focuses on the Town’s municipal carbon footprint. The Town’s fleet is responsible for producing 50% of the Town’s total emissions. Using data from its most recent municipal greenhouse gas emissions inventory (2022), fuel usage by the Town fleet has increased 15% since 2012. Converting vehicles to alternative fuels will have a large impact on the Town’s overall carbon footprint. This project will also contribute to local air quality improvement and positively impact on human health. This grant will also assist the Town in implementing its recent Fleet Alternative Fuels Analysis.
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Information
INFORMATION: This project aims to replace two internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles; one utility task vehicle (UTV) and a backhoe loader. The town will utilize grant funds to purchase battery electric (BEV) comparable zero-emission (ZE) vehicles. Replacing the UTV and the backhoe will make a significant contribution to achieving the town's climate action goals. By adopting zero-emission technology for town vehicles, Carrboro affirms its pledge to a sustainable future.
The Town of Carrboro has a long-standing commitment to climate action. Carrboro’s Energy and Climate Protection Plan outlines a goal of reducing 2010 levels of municipal emissions 80% by 2030. The plan recommends that the Town convert trucks and larger vehicles to electric vehicles when appropriate models are available. In addition, the Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan recommends reducing greenhouse gas emissions due to municipal fleet operations by replacing ICE vehicles with electric
Below describes the return on investment and the benefits of this grant.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculations
Estimated Annual CO2 emissions from diesel backhoe loader = 17,920 lbs CO2/year
Estimated Annual CO2 emissions from diesel UTV = 9,766 lbs CO2/year
Combined Estimated Annual CO2 emissions = 27,686 lbs CO2/year or 12.56 metric tons CO2/year
Financial Savings
Estimated Total Annual Fuel Savings= $4,724
Estimated Annual Maintenance Savings= $1,100 for the two vehicles annually:
Estimated Total Annual Savings: $5,824
Return on Investment (ROI) = ($5,824 / $202,400) x 100 ≈ 2.9%
Switching to electric vehicles will reduce the Town's carbon footprint by approximately 27,686 lbs of CO2 emissions (12.56 metric tons) annually and yield a ROI of 2.9%.
The Town’s fleet is responsible for producing 50% of the Town’s total emissions. Using data from its most recent municipal greenhouse gas emissions inventory (2022), fuel usage by the Town fleet has increased 15% since 2012. Converting vehicles to alternative fuels will have a large impact on the Town’s overall carbon footprint. This project will also contribute to local air quality improvement and positively impact on human health. This grant will also assist the Town in implementing its recent Fleet Alternative Fuels Analysis
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that council approve staff to apply for the 2024 North Carolina Mobile Sources Emissions Reductions Grant
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