TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to submit grant applications for the Port of Long Beach Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Grant Program. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Port of Long Beach has developed the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Mitigation Program that provides grant funds for projects that will reduce, avoid or capture GHG emissions. Applicants eligible for grant funds consist of Port of Long Beach tenants, government agencies, and charities and nonprofit organizations.
There is $5,000,000 in grant funding available; the minimum funding request is $2,000 and no more that $1,000,000 in grant funding will be awarded to a single organization. Each City Department is considered a single organization.
A total of 14 projects, grouped into 4 categories are eligible for funding. The projects eligible for funding consist of:
Energy Efficiency Projects:
· LED street, parking lot or outdoor lighting installation or upgrade
· Variable frequency drives for pumps conveying water, wastewater or storm water
· High efficiency HVAC or boiler/chiller replacement
· Energy-efficient door and window replacement
· Insulation and air sealing
· Room occupancy sensors
· Motion sensor outdoor lighting
· Programmable thermostats
Transportation Projects:
· Electric Fleet Vehicles
· Public electric vehicle charging stations
Renewable Energy Projects:
· Solar power generation
· Solar water heating
Landscaping Projects:
· Water efficient or xeriscaped public gardens
· Urban forests
Projects closest to the Port and its associated activities will be given additional points in the scoring. There are four eligibility zones as identified in Attachment A.
Submittal Requests
The Port of Long Beach informed the City Council and staff of the availability of the grant funding. In response, a variety of projects have been identified for submittal. Given the total amount of funding available ($5 million), the limitations on the maximum amount awarded for each single organization ($1 million), and the complexity of the grant applications (Attachment B).
The following projects are recommended for submittal:
Project Grant Request
Urban forest enhancement of 6,000 trees $1,000,000
and mulch barrier along Terminal Island Freeway in
Zones 1a and 2a
LED safety lights at City intersections $1,000,000
and corridors, Zones 1a-4a
Tree planting and public gardens under $ 500,000
Edison right of way at 710/91 freeway
Zone 4a
LED light replacement in parks, Zones 1a-4a $ 500,000
Water-efficient public gardens at $ 317,000
Drake/Chavez Park, Zone 1a
Water-efficient public gardens at $ 130,000
Oregon Park, Zone 2a
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on February 7, 2012, as the deadline for submitting the grant applications is February 16, 2012.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact or local job impact associated with the recommended action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER