Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to execute agreements with and to accept Zero Emission Freight Future Project grant funds from Clean Fuels Ohio.
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office recently selected Clean Fuels Ohio to receive a $670,000.00 grant award as part of the 2020 Advanced Vehicle Technologies Research Funding Opportunity. Clean Fuels Ohio sought funding to support its Zero Emission Freight Future Project, which is designed to prove viability and operational and financial effectiveness of med-heavy duty Electric Vehicles (EVs) in new fleets and communities.
Clean Fuels Ohio, in turn, has named the City of Columbus, Department of Public Service, Division of Refuse Collection as a sub-recipient for the Zero Emission Freight Future Project and will provide to the City a reimbursement grant, whereby the City must provide funding to cover expenses as they are incurred and subsequently will be reimbursed for up to 50% of eligible expenses. Pursuant to the proposed Sub-Recipient Agreement, the City will be reimbursed a maximum of $500,000 over the three year grant period. The Department of Public Service will provide documentation for these expenses to Clean Fuels Ohio, who will then reimburse the City for eligible expenses.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to accept a Zero Emission Freight Future Project grant from Clean Fuels Ohio, to execute those documents necessary to accept the grant, to administer the grant funds in accordance with the terms and conditions of that award, and to refund any unused funds to Clean Fuels Ohio after the grant period ends if final accounting determines a refund is owed. Separate legislation will be submitted to Council to expend awarded grant funds and to encumber and expend necessary matching City funds.
2. EXPECTED PROJECT
Grant funding will be allocated to support the purchase of one (1) electric...
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