HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/7/2009 - STAFF REPORTS - 2.L.ppLM Sa
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CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: October 6, 2009 CONSENT
SUBJECT: PLUG-IN PARTNERS RESOLUTION
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: Michele Mician, Manager, Office of Sustainability
SUMMARY
A nationwide Plug -In Partners campaign to demonstrate to automakers that a market
exists today for Plug -In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), a transportation approach
represents a practical near -term solution to our transportation energy problems. By
aligning with the Plug -In Partners campaign the City of Palm Springs affirms a
commitment to sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the adoption of A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA DEMONSTRATING A COMMITMENT TO
SUPPORT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL POLICIES THAT WILL ADVANCE
FLEXIBLE -FUEL PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The national campaign is consistent with the City of Palm Springs Path to a Sustainable
Community specifically in the call to provide transportation choice and encouraging and
incentivizing use of cleaner fuels should be lead strategies in this arena. In addition,
plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) can decrease dependence on imported oil,
reduce greenhouse gases and other air pollutants, create green jobs, lower fuel costs,
increase use of renewable energy
The Plug -In Partners campaign is a national grass roots effort established by the City of
Austin, Texas on August 22, 2005. The campaign was initiated to demonstrate to
automakers that a market for flexible -fuel Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) exists
today. The goal of the National Campaign is to demonstrate the viability of this market
by partnering with local and state governments, utilities, and environmental, consumer
and business organizations. These entities become Plug -In Partners and join in support
of the national campaign. Adopting a Plug -In Partners Resolution encourages the
ITEM NO. 2' L-
City Council Staff Report
Ocotber 7, 2009 -- Page 2
Plug -In Partners Campaign
manufacture and use of plug-in electric vehicles by promoting local interest and support
of electric vehicles.
The national initiative does not target development of a specific type of vehicle, but
rather generic vehicles that are capable of operating on a combination of a flexible fuel
internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEYS) are
supported and encouraged, but are not the principal focus of this campaign. This
campaign is not intended to be rigid on automotive design requirements. Regional and
local flexibility may be necessary to garner grassroots support. This campaign promotes
the manufacture of PHEVs of various types: sedan, vans, SUVs, school buses and
others_ It is envisioned that PHEV technology can be applied across different vehicle
platforms.
The plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) is a gas -optional vehicle that offers a viable
alternative to petroleum dependant transportation. Although they have the technology,
automakers have been reluctant to manufacture PHEVs. Fleet buyers can lead the way
to change by creating a PHEV market. By adopting this resolution the City of Palm
Springs will join with other local governments around the country through the Plug -In
Partners National Campaign to demonstrate to automakers that a market for flexible fuel
Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles exists today.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
i .tip )C_)L• �l
Michele Mician, Manager
Office of Sustainability
��
�OqDavid H. Ready,/City Manager
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Thomas Wilson/ -
Assistant City Manager
Attachments: Plug In Partners Resolution
Plug -In Partners Campaign Reference material
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA DEMONSTRATING A
COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT FEDERAL, STATE AND
LOCAL POLICIES THAT WILL ADVANCE FLEXIBLE -
FUEL PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS FINDS:
A. Automobile emissions are a contributing factor to climate change and to
smog in our cities, which threaten the health of our citizens and the sustainability of our
planet.
B. The imbalance between gasoline resources and worldwide demand is
escalating gasoline prices to levels that overburden commerce, hurt economic growth
and cause hardship on our citizens.
C. The transportation sector will ultimately move away from the use of non-
renewable fuels and will transition to sustainable and non-polluting alternatives for clean
transportation choices that reduce our dependence on foreign fuels.
D. The technology exists today to build a flexible -fuel plug-in hybrid -electric
automobile that could reduce oil imports, fuel costs, and air emissions by dramatic
margins.
E. The development and utilization of flexible -fuel plug-in hybrid electric
vehicles will assist in the transition to a hydrogen economy by fostering the
commercialization of gas -optional vehicles.
F. The City is dedicated to becoming a leader in clean energy technology
utilization and is committed to establishing policies and programs that conserve energy
and promote sustainability;
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY
RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council directs that the City of Palm Springs join the Plug -In
Partners National Campaign as "Plug-in City of Palm Springs," and that the City
Manager direct staff to work with the U-S. Department of Energy, local and state
governments, the local utility provider, businesses and environmental/consumer
organizations to identify partnerships that encourage the development and utilization of
flexible -fuel plug-in electric vehicles.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 21st day of October, 2009_
ATTEST:
James Thompson
City Clerk
David H. Ready
City Manager
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS)
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that
Resolution No. _ is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adapted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on October 21, 2009, by the
following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
James Thompson, City Clerk
City of Palm Springs, California
N. Office of Sustatnability/Transportation/C:\Documents and SettingsMehelcWLocal Serrmos\Temporary Intemet
Files\OC.KITS-Resolution re I'lu, In Hybnd Eleumc Vchtcles PSDRAFT2.doc
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Plug -In Partners National Campaign
Building a Market for Gas -Optional Flexible -Fuel Hybrids
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles:
The near -term solution
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) can dramatically decmasc
American dependence on imported oil, reduce greenhouse gases and
other air pollutants, as well as lower fuel costs for American consumers.
PREVs use the same technology as the popular hybrids on the road
today, but have a more powerful battery that can be mcbarged in a
sumdard home outlet
- PHEVs arc outfitted with a battery pack sufficient to power the vehicle
from 20 to 60 miles on battery charge alone -
Since half the errs on America's roads are driven 25 miles a day or less,
a plug-in with a 25-mile range battery could eliminate gasoline use in
the daily commute of millions ofAmcricans.
• PHEV technology is already available and fimctioning.
DaimlerChrysler has developed and is testing a prototype PHEV
commercial van with a 20-mile all -electric range. Conversions of
existing hybrids ranging from sedans to SUVs are on the road today,
demonstrating that the technology works.
• PHEVs can be manufactured with flexible fuel engines, magnifying the
economic, environmental and security bcoefit-s while also benefiting
American agriculture-
- An "electric" cquivalcut gallon of gas will cost 70-80 cents at prevailing
electric rates versos the $2100+national average gasoline price.
• The electric in&asmrcture is in place and available. Over 40% of the
generating capacity in the U.S. sits idle or uperdtes at a reduced load
overnight when most PHEVs would be recharged- Our power system
could charge tens of millions of PFiEVs without requiring new plants-
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Plog4n Partners National Campaign - www.pluginpartnm org
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Local Governments "
Plug -In Partner National PMKV Initiative
National Campaign
Local governments are encouraged to initiate its own "Plug -In (Name)" Campaign. Austin
kicked otiPlug-In Austin (www.clueinaustin.ore) on August 22, 2005. Cities across America
are invited to use die plug-in theme and any and all materials for a Plug -In (name of
City/County).
1. Bring forward a resolution supporting a local "Plug -In (name of city)" campaign. A
draft resolution is provided in this packet. Use what is suitable but feel free to modify
the template in whatever way works best for your City, County and community.
2. Determine the components of your campaign among rebates and incentives, soft fleet
orders, a signature petition drive and solicitation of endorsements from local
organizations.
3. Hold a press conference to announce your PHEV initiative and your participation in
the Plug -In Partners National initiative.
4. Consider establishing a soil: fleet order for the future. Your "soli" commitment would
be most effective if you would identify a number of sedans, vans, trucks or whatever
type vehicle that best fits your fleet profile, that you would likely purchase. Since
there is not a vehicle currently available for purchase at this time, it is understood that
this is not a firm order. It is also recognized that local governments must go through
the proper purchasing requirements and meet other public commitments. Nonetheless,
your city or county or school district could signal a desire to include plug-in hybrids
in their fleets by indicating they are seriously interested in purchasing such vehicles.
An example might be that a city indicates it wants X sedans, X vans, and X light duty
trucks that are PIIEV_ When you add up such a "wish list" among all the local
governments and other fleet "orders", it becomes a viable market for that type of
vehicle.
5. Work with your local Chambers of Commerce and large employers to promote fleet
orders among larger businesses. (See Business Plug -In Partner).
6. Support a local petition drive to automakers. A template petition is provided in this
packet. reel free to modify the template to suit your local needs. Set a limited time for
the petition drive, for instance 6 months or a year. Establish a small team of speakers
who can make short presentations before neighborhood or civic groups and collect
signatures.
7. Encourage endorsements of the Plug -In Partnerships campaign by local organizatious.
Neighborhood Associations, environmental groups, civic clubs and other local
groups. Ask that they pass a resolution and that they encourage their members to sign
Visit us online at www.pluginpartners.org
a petition. A template resolution is included with this packet If members or
organizations can influence fleet purchases, ask that they do so to add additional
PHEVs to the soft purchases list being compiled in your community.
S. Encourage other local governments to join the effort. Identify and work with at least
two other local governments interested in launching a Plug -In Partnership campaign.
9. Provide results of the local campaign to wvnv.pluginpartners.org, the national Plug -
In Partnerships database. This would include rebate and incentive commitments, soft
fleet orders, the number of signatures collected, endorsements and the number of
members in each endorsing group and success stories or upcoming events related to
press conferences and community activities. All reported data will be compiled with
summaries provided quarterly and promoted through press releases and other
avenues,
10. Support politics promoting PPIEVs This may include opportunities related to
legislation and other policy formulation that will promote the manufacturing of
PHEVs. It could also include the enactment of Iocal ordinances or actions to provide
incentives for plug -ins.
11. Coordinate with your local utilities, businesses, environmental and non-profit
organizations to ask them to become a Plug In Partner. Ask them to join you at the
kirk -off press conference in your community to show their partnership and support,
Visit us online at www_pluginpartners.org
To Austin Neighborhood and Civic Groups
.Austin, Texas hopes to build a success story other cities will embrace toward addressing
two significant problems: America's overdependence on oil imports and pollution in our
cities from automobile emissions.
"Plug-ln Austin," is a template for a nationwide Plug -In Partners campaign to
demonstrate to automakers that a market exists today for Plug -In Hybrid Electric
Vehicles (PHCVs), a transportation approach that represents a practical near -term
solution to our transportation energy problems.
A plug-in hybrid takes the popular new gas -electric hybrid and adds a larger battery that
can be plugged into a standard home electrical outlet for recharging. A plug-in battery
capable of powering a vehicle 35 or more miles on battery power alone, would allow
many people io drive to and from work and around town — without using any gasoline at
all.
Also, instead of paying the $3.00 per gallon (national average) for gasoline, an "electric"
gallon of energy will cost less than $1.00. And money spent on "electric gallons of gas"
will slay at home rather than go overseas. Plug-in hybrids would also significantly reduce
automobile emissions, which are the largest source of smog in Austin and cities across
the nation. And when the electricity is produced by renewable energy such as windgenerated
power, you use pollution -free energy to deliver pollution -free transportation.
I am excited about this initiative. Our Council is excited about it. This is about citizens
advocating for a practical part -solution to the critical goal of energy independence.
Sign us up for a short presentation to hear about "Plug-ln Austin" and to give your
members an opportunity to sign a petition that will go to automakers. Our goal is 10,000
signatures by December, but frankly, I would not be surprised by double or triple that
number. Please contact Lisa Braithwaite at 322-6511 or feel free to email Lisa at
I isa.braithwaite@austinencrgy.com to arrange for a Plug -In Austin presentation.
This is important to our community and our nation,
Will Wynn
Austin Mayor
Chair, U.S. Conference of Mayors Energy Committee
Visit us online at www.plugirtpartners.org