FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 16, 2023
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
Prepared by: Department Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Santa Maria Regional Transit Innovative Clean Transit Fleet Zero Emission Transition Plan
Description:
The City Council will consider approving Santa Maria Regional Transit’s Innovative Clean Transit Zero Emission Transition Plan.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution approving the implementation of the Santa Maria Regional Transit Innovation Clean Transit Fleet Zero -Emission Transition Plan in compliance with California Air Resource Board mandates.
BACKGROUND:
On December 17, 2018, the California Air Resource Board (CARB) adopted the Innovation Clean Transit (ICT) fleet rule. The ICT regulation requires that all public transit agencies operating in the State of California convert to a 100 percent Zero-Emission Bus (ZEB) fleet by 2040, with intermittent milestone deadlines in between. This regulation is aimed at tackling the issues associat ed with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and its contribution to climate change; transportation being a significant contributor to GHG emissions.
Conversion to a ZEB means converting from a conventional internal combustion engine bus to a zero-emission bus as defined in section 2023(b)(54) of the regulation. A ZEB is defined as a bus with zero tailpipe emissions. Accordingly, diesel, clean diesel, compressed natural gas, propane, or any other fossil fuel and nonrenewable fuel type, including hybrids, do n ot qualify as a ZEB because of their tailpipe emissions and therefore do not meet the ICT regulation.
DISCUSSION:
As part of the ICT regulation, a Zero-Emission Bus Rollout Plan (Rollout Plan) is required of every transit agency. A small transit agency, such as Santa Maria Regional Transit 2 (SMRT) must submit a Rollout Plan, which meets specific requirements, to their Executive Officer for approval/adoption by July 1, 2023.
Rollout Plans must include several components per the ICT regulation. The requirements for a transit agency's ZEB transition plan include the following:
1. A stated goal for a full transition to ZEB by 2040.
2. Identification of the types of ZEB technologies a transit agency is planning to deploy.
3. A schedule for the construction of f acilities and infrastructure modifications or upgrades.
4. A schedule for zero -emission and conventional internal combustion engine bus purchases.
5. A description of how a transit agency plans to deploy zero -emission buses in disadvantaged communities as listed in the latest version of CalEnviroScreen.
6. A training plan and schedule for zero -emission bus operators and maintenance and repair staff.
7. Identification of potential funding sources.
To complete the ICT plan, the City contracted with HDR Consulting to produce SMRT’s ICT plan. HDR Consulting analyzed both the feasibility of transitioning to Battery Electric Buses, as well as addressing the necessary elements required for a compliant ICT Plan.
However, it should be noted that the produced I CT Plan serves only as a general guidance document, and its details are non-binding other than reflecting an earnest effort towards compliance towards meeting CARB’s mandated 2040 goal. In fact, it should be noted that SMRT is well on its way toward exceeding the original conservative projection to convert to a 100 percent zero -emission fleet transition than was originally outlined in the originally developed 2021 SMRT ICT plan.
Alternative(s)
The City Council may elect not to adopt the proposed ICT Plan and/or may direct staff to make modifications to the ICT Plan. However, this alternative is not recommended due to the impending deadline to comply with CARB requirements.
Environmental Review
The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Fiscal Considerations
There is no impact on the City’s General Fund nor the Transit Enterprise Fund from the submission of the ICT Plan. There can, however, be penalties levied on the City if it fails to comply with ICT submission deadlines.
Impact to the Community
There are no anticipated impacts to the community nor the transit program’s riders by adopting the ICT Transition Plan. This is an administrative item. 3 ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A- SMRT ICT Plan_2023-05-16