July 11, 2023
City Council
DATE: July 11, 2023
TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Councilmember Zepeda and Mayor Martinez
Subject: RFP to obtain a transition plan for the city fleet to electric and/or hydrogen vehicles and equipment and
infrastructure.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: $50,000-$100,000
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
7/25/2017
2/27/2018,
10/2/2018,
10/16/2018,
11/19/2019,
12/17/2019,
7/7/2020,
3/2/2021,
12/21/2021
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City of Richmond should begin its transition to a
green fuels fleet. By adopting green fuels like electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles, our city can significantly
decrease emissions of greenhouse gases and harmful
pollutants. This shift promotes cleaner air, creating a healthier environment for residents and promoting our
commitment to climate change resilience.
AGENDA REPORT
July 11, 2023
RECOMMENDED ACTION: DIRECT staff to issue a Request for Proposal to hire a consultant to create an Action Plan for Greening the City of Richmond Municipal Fleet and infrastructure —
Councilmember Cesar Zepeda (510-620-9593) and
Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-620-6502).
DISCUSSION:
As a frontline community, Richmond faces significant challenges related to breathing issues due to poor air quality. The city is surrounded by industrial facilities, refineries, and major transportation routes contribute to high levels of air pollution. As a result, our community, primarily children, often suffer from respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases.
In recent years, the state of California has set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation is a major contributor to this issue. Green fuels vehicles produce fewer or zero tailpipe emissions, making them a crucial element in decarbonizing the transportation sector. By transitioning to a green fleet, cities can contribute to the overall reduction of carbon emissions, helping California achieve its climate targets and combat the effects of global warming. Additionally, the use of green fuels can help decrease the reliance on fossil fuels, reducing the city's vulnerability to price fluctuations and supply disruptions in the future.
Our city has a moral imperative to address climate change. Human activity, primarily the use of fossil fuels, is accelerating this existential threat. Richmond must take the opportunity to minimize climate change and air pollution impacts from our operations.
A thorough GHG reduction and fleet electrification strategy calls for a solid road map. A Fleet Greening Plan would provide us with an evaluation of the City’s current fleet and infrastructure, guidance for transitioning to a green fleet, and clear timelines for such a transition. This plan is also timely, given the recent, significant federal and state investments in electrification and other alternative fuel sources.
As neighboring cities (Berkeley, Oakland) have done in prior years, the City Council should commit the City to transitioning our fleet investments to renewables. The first step in this process is to build our plan for this important commitment.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
None