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RESOLUTION R-1819-70: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, APPROPRIATING $6,900 FROM THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE TO UTILIZE THE SERVICES OF SMALL ARROW ENGINEERING TO ASSIST STAFF IN THE PREPARATION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO SUBMIT TO THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.
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BACKGROUND: In 2016 the United States federal government settled claims against Volkswagen (VW) concerning the use of a "defective device" installed on 2.0 and 3.0 liter diesel vehicles which resulted in air pollution emissions from these vehicles exceeding federal guidelines. States are allocated a portion of the settlement based on their number of affected vehicles. Each of these vehicles can emit up to 40 times more than the allowable limits. Oklahoma has been initially allocated approximately $21 million from the VW Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreement to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has been designated as the lead agency with oversight from the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment. DEQ has prepared and implemented the Beneficiary Mitigation Plan (BMP) with the State's intention for utilizing these funds. On November 29, 2018, DEQ released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for $3.1 million to build out Oklahoma's light-duty electric vehicle charging network with 80% eligible for reimbursement when the project is completed. Staff is anticipating other grant opportunities in the near future to be released by DEQ for reduced greenhouse gas projects. Dates for these programs have not yet been determined.
DISCUSSION: Staff has reviewed the "Charge OK" RFP issued by DEQ on November 29, 2018. This competitive grant is designed to build electric charging stations throughout the Oklahoma federal highway corridors with traffic counts higher than 7,500 vehicles per day. All eligible projects/charging stations are required to be within walking distance to retail shopping, access to public restroom...
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