Title
Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding Section 5-31 to Establish Procedures for Expediting Permit Processing for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. (Planning, Building and Transportation 481003)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The State of California (State) and the City of Alameda (City) have consistently promoted and encouraged the use of fuel-efficient electric vehicles. The State adopted Assembly Bill 1236, which requires local agencies to adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited and streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Furthermore, East Bay Community Energy is leading an effort with the California Energy Commission’s California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) team to develop a major EV charging infrastructure incentive program for Alameda County. An important aspect of all new CALeVIP projects is that stakeholders only have access to funding if the project is located in an AB 1236 compliant city.
BACKGROUND
On January 1, 2016 Assembly Bill (AB) 1236 went into effect, requiring every city and county in California to adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited and streamlined permitting process for EV charging stations. It also requires the creation of an EV charging checklist consistent with the Legislature’s goals and intent of AB 1236 (Exhibit 1). The goal is to create an expedited, streamlined permitting process for EV charging stations to facilitate convenient charging of electric vehicles and help reduce the City’s reliance on environmentally damaging fossil fuels. The law was developed because the availability of EV charging stations is a key barrier to deploying EVs.
Furthermore, East Bay Community Energy is leading an effort with the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) CALeVIP team to develop a major EV charging infrastructure incentive program for Alameda County. If approved, the CEC's investment funds would be available countywide in the second quarter of 2021 on a first-come first-served basis. An important aspect of all new CEC CALeVIP projects is that stakeholders such as project developers and site hosts only have access to funding if the project is located in an AB 1236 compliant city. The City’s adoption of this ordinance will bring the City into compliance with the requirements of AB 1236.
DISCUSSION
The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development recently completed the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permitting Guidebook (July 2019). The guidebook discusses three main requirements pertaining to a streamlined EV permitting process:
1. Improved Communications with Checklists: The need to improve communications between local agencies and the applicant with checklists detailing the requirements to obtain an EV charging permit:
“In developing an expedited permitting process, the city… shall adopt a checklist of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply to be eligible for expedited review.” Government Code section 65850.7(g)(1).
2. Electronic Submissions of the Application Permit: Local agencies must allow for electronic submission of application packets for EV charging stations through email, internet or fax as well as electronic signatures on all forms:
“The checklist and required permitting documentation shall be published on a publicly accessible Internet Web site, if the city… has an Internet Web site, and the city… shall allow for electronic submittal of a permit application and associated documentation, and shall authorize the electronic signature on all forms, applications, and other documentation in lieu of a wet signature by an applicant.” Government Code section 65850.7(g)(2).
3. Permit Focus on Public Health and Safety: Local agencies must approve permit applications that meet all the requirements in the checklists, and shall not create unreasonable barriers to EV charging station installation to encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations. Public health and safety concerns can lead to the need for project revisions when the Building Official believes that added EV charging loads may affect existing electrical infrastructure or may compromise fire safety.
The City has created the EV charging station checklist and already has an on-line permit application as shown in Exhibit 2, to help expedite the EV charging station permit process. The City has found that placing EV charging station reviews through a standard electrical permit process yields the best results since the electrical loads are what typically determine the need for discretionary plan reviews. Since January 1, 2016, the City has issued 161 EV Charger permits of which 94 percent have been issued over the counter.
The timing of this ordinance is crucial in that East Bay Community Energy is leading an effort with the CEC’s CALeVIP team to develop a major EV charging infrastructure incentive program for Alameda County. The CALeVIP grant goal is the rapid deployment of public Level 2 and Direct-Current (DC) Fast Charger stations across California and to implement targeted incentive projects based on region’s needs. More infrastructure totaling about 250,000 electric vehicle chargers is needed to meet California’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals. For Alameda County, CALeVIP data is showing a gap of over 5,400 Level 2 EV chargers and a gap of almost 500 DC Fast Chargers, which would cost about $21.5 million assuming about $5,000 per Level 2 connector and $55,000 per DC Fast Charger. CALeVIP & grant funding opportunities have historically been about $20-30 million per fiscal year. An important aspect of all new CEC CALeVIP projects is that stakeholders such as project developers and site hosts only have access to funding if the project is located in an AB 1236 compliant city. The City’s adoption of this ordinance will bring Alameda into compliance with the requirements of AB 1236.
ALTERNATIVES
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached ordinance. This item is in compliance with the new State law.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of the ordinance does not result in any financial impact to the General Fund. However, it would enable eligible stakeholders to receive EV charging CEC CALeVIP grants for projects located in the City.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
Adoption of the ordinance that expedites the permit processing for electric vehicle charging stations is consistent with the following City documents and policies:
• Alameda Municipal Power’s Strategic Plan (2019) calls out the promotion of EVs in the Sustainability Strategy #1 to reduce GHG emissions.
• The City declared a climate emergency in that transportation is the largest source of GHG emissions in Alameda expected to amount to 70 percent by 2020 and a mode shift to riding the bus from solo driving would help reduce GHG emissions. The City approved the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan in 2019 to reduce GHG emissions in Alameda, and several projects relate to encouraging electric vehicles.
• The Transportation Choices Plan’s project #34 - New Technologies and Innovations - specifies the importance of EVs in reducing GHG emissions.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Adoption of the expedited electric vehicle charging ordinance is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities), 15303 (New Construction of Small Structures), 15305 (Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations) and 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment) in that electric vehicle charging use is a minor alteration of existing facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that presently exist.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Alameda expected to amount to 70 percent by 2020. This project will further the implementation of the following City planning documents: Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (2019), Transportation Choices Plan (2018), and the Climate Plan (2008), which highlight the need for sustainable transportation such as electric vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
RECOMMENDATION
Introduce an ordinance amending the Alameda Municipal Code to establish procedures for expediting permit processing for electric vehicle charging stations.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends approval.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew Thomas, Planning, Building and Transportation Director
By,
Greg McFann, Assistant Planning, Building and Transportation Director / Building Official
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. AB 1236 (Government Code section 65850.7)
2. Permit Application
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager
Nicolas Procos, Alameda Municipal Power Director
Edmond Rodriguez, Fire Chief