City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: September 10, 2024
Agenda Item: 11.A
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Rick Valte, Public Works Director, Public Works, Architecture Services Subject: Approve Skilled Labor Policy for Renewable Energy and Electrical Vehicle Supply Equipment Projects
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061 (b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Approve the proposed Santa Monica Skilled Labor Policy for Renewable Energy and Electrical Vehicle Supply Equipment Projects for the Public Works Department.
Summary
In response to direction provided by Council, staff recommends the adoption of a standardized labor policy for renewable energy and electrical vehicle supply equipment projects that incorporates minimum requirements for contractors awarded work requiring the installation of electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), photovoltaics (PV), battery energy storage systems (BESS) and microgrid-related infrastructure, either funded by the City of Santa Monica or installed upon City of Santa Monica property.
The minimum requirements set forth in the Renewable Energy and Electrical Vehicle Supply Equipment Labor Policy would be limited to projects that meet any of the following thresholds:
• Project construction costs exceed $250,000;
• Project scope includes a PV system that is 100 kW or greater; or, 2 of 6
• Project scope includes EVSE of at least six Level 2 EV chargers or at least three DC Fast Chargers.
If Council approves the proposed Policy, staff would incorporate the policy requirements into bid documents and only recommend award of construction of renewable energy and electrical vehicle supply equipment projects consistent with the Policy. Any exceptions to this policy would require Council authorization.
Discussion
On July 25, 2023, City Council introduced a Discussion Item (Attachment A) and approved a motion that directed the City Manager to return to Council with recommendations addressing skilled and trained labor requirements for renewable energy projects, electrical vehicle supply equipment, and related infrastructure either City-funded or placed upon City property to be installed by state-certified electricians.
This Discussion Item was presented in alignment with the Sustainable & Connected Community priority to “ensure that City policies and programs enhance our resources, prevent and remedy harm to the natural environment and human health, and benefit the social and economic wellbeing of the community for the sake of current and future generations”. Furthermore, Council communicated that a skilled and trained labor policy may:
• Create a healthier, cleaner, and safer city and built environment • Create eligibility for Federal and State infrastructure and greenhouse gas reduction funding for renewable energy projects and related infrastructure • Create a Green New Economy locally
• Create a pathway for folks into high road jobs
The City Council directed the City Manager to address ten proposed requirements in developing a recommendation for Council consideration. The proposal included that the installation of EVSE, PV, BESS and microgrid-related infrastructure, either funded by the City of Santa Monica or installed upon City of Santa Monica property, conform to the following requirements:
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1. All contracted work shall be performed by State Licensed C-10 Electrical contractors and comply with the requirements thereof set forth in California law.
2. Electrical work will be performed by California state certified general electricians and apprentices registered in the state of California approved joint labor management apprenticeship program.
3. Sixty percent (60%) of all “Journeyman” electricians must be graduates of a Joint Labor Management State of California Approved Electrical Apprenticeship Training Program unless for an EVSE Project.
4. A minimum of twenty-five percent (25%) of job site electrical workers must be OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Safety & Health Certified.
5. At least one job site electrical worker must be OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Safety & Health Certified.
6. The ratio of “journeymen” to apprentices shall comply with requirements set forth in California law.
And further directed that EVSE installations will meet the following additional requirements:
1. At a minimum, one job-site supervisor or job-site foreman supervising the EV Work at each job site is required to be an Electrical Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (“EVITP”) certified electrician.
2. A minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the state-certified general electricians performing the EV Work on each job site shall be EVITP certified electricians.
3. Fifty percent (50%) of all “Journeyman” electricians must be graduates of a Joint Labor Management State of California Approved Electrical Apprenticeship Training Program.
4. EVITP certification requirements do not apply to apprentices.
City staff reviewed and drafted responses to those requirements and developed recommendations for City Council consideration in an Information Item posted publicly on March 20, 2024 (Attachment B).
The proposed recommendations were incorporated into the Renewable Energy and Electrical Vehicle Supply Equipment Labor Policy as follows:
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Renewable energy and electrical vehicle supply equipment projects requiring the installation of electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), photovoltaics (PV), battery energy storage systems (BESS) and microgrid-related infrastructure, either funded by the City of Santa Monica or installed upon City of Santa Monica property, that meet any of the following thresholds shall conform to the minimum requirements set forth herein.
Project Thresholds
• The project construction costs exceed $250,000;
• The project scope includes a PV system that is 100 kW or greater; or, • The project scope includes EVSE of at least six Level 2 EV chargers or at least three DC Fast Chargers.
Minimum Requirements
1. All contracted electrical work shall be performed by state-licensed C-10 Electrical contractors and comply with the requirements thereof set forth in California law.
2. Electrical work will be performed by California state-certified general electricians and apprentices registered in a state of California approved joint labor management apprenticeship program incrementally as outlined below:
a. Year 1: 30% graduation
b. Year 3: 40% graduation
c. Year 5: 50% graduation
3. “Journeyman” electricians must be graduates of a Joint Labor Management State of California Approved Electrical Apprenticeship Training Program incrementally as outlined below:
a. Year 1: 30% graduation
b. Year 3: 40% graduation
c. Year 5: 50% graduation
4. A minimum of 25% of job site electrical workers must be OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Safety & Health Certified.
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5. At least one job site electrical worker must be OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Safety & Health Certified.
EVSE installations will meet the following additional requirements:
1. At a minimum, at least one electrician on the crew installing the EV Work at each job site is required to hold an Electrical Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (“EVITP”) certification.
2. At a minimum, at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the state certified general electricians performing the EV Work on each job site of projects that install a charging port supplying 25 kilowatts or more to a vehicle shall hold an EVITP certification.
3. EVITP certification requirements do not apply to apprentices.
If Council approves the proposed Policy, staff would incorporate the policy requirements into bid documents and only recommend award of construction of renewable energy and electrical vehicle supply equipment projects consistent with the Policy. Any exceptions to this policy would require Council authorization. Staff will monitor impacts from this policy and report back to Council with updates as needed.
Environmental Review
The adoption of a labor policy is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, which states that CEQA does not apply, “where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” The labor policy is administrative in nature and addresses skilled and trained labor requirements. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the agreement would not result in adverse physical impacts on the environment, and as such, is exempt from CEQA.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
07/25/23 (Attachment A) Discussion Item 16.D
03/20/24 (Attachment B) Skilled Labor Policy for Renewable Energy and EVSE Projects Information Item
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Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of recommended action.
Prepared By: Amelia Feichtner, Capital Program Manager
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. City Council Discussion Item 16.D - July 25, 2023
B. Info Item March 20, 2024 - Skilled Labor Policy for Renewable Energy and EVSE Projects
C. PowerPoint Presentation