July 11, 2023
Economic Development
DATE: July 11, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Nannette Beacham, Director of Economic Development
Samantha Carr, Environmental Manager
Subject:
Approval and Authorization to Apply for the U.S.
Department of Energy Building Technologies Office (BTO) Buildings Up Grant.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
N/A
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
City staff members are seeking City Council approval for the City to apply for the U.S. Department of Energy
Building Technologies Office (BTO) Buildings Up Grant
and authorize the City Manager to execute all documents related to the grant. The application would be a planning grant for the City Hall Campus in partnership with MCE, ZNEA, and possibly other partners.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
DIRECT staff to apply for the U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Office (BTO) Buildings Up Grant;
APPROVE the City’s grant application partnership with
MCE, ZNEA, and possibly other partners; and
AUTHORIZE the city manager to execute all related
documents for submission of the application and grant
acceptance – Economic Development Department,
(Nannette Beacham/Samantha Carr 510-620-5407).
DISCUSSION:
AGENDA
REPORT
July 11, 2023
Developed by the U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Office (BTO), Buildings UP aims to build capacity to transform United States buildings rapidly and equitably. The grant opportunity will provide a unique opportunity to equitably transform a wide variety of buildings across diverse geographies. Applicants are eligible to receive up to four-hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) to propose a concept to deliver scalable and replicable upgrades to buildings in historically disadvantaged communities. The application due date is July 18, 2023.
If awarded, the City plans to use the funds to conduct improvements in the City Hall Campus (four-buildings total) to initiate the implementation of the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program in partnership with MCE. The VPP program will improve energy efficiency within City Hall by upgrading its existing solar system, installing energy monitoring equipment, and improving building envelop, if necessary. Additionally, the City plans to propose the addition of energy storage to ensure that the building is equipped to convert as a resilient hub, thus providing residents with resources and shelter in the event of extreme weather and natural disasters.
The grant and proposed projects listed above will best prepare the City for emergency preparedness as it experiences events due to climate change. A project of this magnitude presents an opportunity that aligns fully with City Council priorities and Richmond’s Climate Action Plan by ensuring that all residents have equitable access to resources essential to the betterment of health and well-being.