HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 04-02-24; 8-h - Letter of Support – GoTriangle Climate Pollution Reduction Grant 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 2, 2024
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-h
SUBJECT: Letter of Support — GoTriangle Climate Pollution Reduction Grant
DEPARTMENT: Orange County Transportation Services (OCTS)
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. Letter of Support— GoTriangle's Nishith Trivedi, Transportation Director,
CPRG 919-245-2007
PURPOSE: To approve and authorize the Chair to sign a Letter of Support for GoTriangle's
Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) application.
BACKGROUND: GoTriangle requests a letter of support (Attachment 1) for its CPRG program
application. The application is associated with the Nelson Road Bus Operations and Maintenance
Facility (BOMF) — Modernization and Expansion Project. Once fully implemented, the Project will
advance GoTriangle's transition towards a zero-emissions fleet, including battery electric buses
(BEBs), electric vehicle charging equipment, on-site solar photovoltaic electricity generation, and
battery storage. Orange County has been asked to support the allocation of funding to GoTriangle
for this initiative under the CPRG Program.
The Project is in strong alignment with the Environmental Protection Agency's CPRG Program
Objectives, including: significant greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions by 2030; substantial community
benefits, particularly in low-income and disadvantaged communities; leveraging other funding
sources to maximize GHG reductions and community benefits; and pursue innovative policies and
programs that can be replicated across multiple jurisdictions. The Project is also in strong alignment
with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)'s priority measures, including
the increase of zero emissions and electric vehicles, and the increase of electricity generated by
renewable resources in North Carolina.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact to the County with providing the letter of
support.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable
to this item:
• GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND
INEQUITY
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color;
religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender, or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic
background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential, or economic status.
• GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY
2
The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs, and funding necessary
for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their
dependents.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Goal impact is
applicable to this item:
• CLEAN OR AVOIDED TRANSPORTATION
Implement programs that monitor and improve local and regional air quality by: 1)
promoting public transportation options; 2) decreasing dependence on single-occupancy
vehicles, and 3) otherwise minimizing the need for travel.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve and authorize the Chair
to sign the attached Letter of Support.
ORANGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT 3
ORANGE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT 0
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Attachment 1
April 2, 2024
The Honorable Michael S. Regan
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
Dear Administrator Regan,
Orange County is writing to express our strong support for GoTriangle's Climate Pollution
Reduction Grants (CPRG) Program application for the Nelson Road Bus Operations and
Maintenance Facility (BOMF) — Modernization and Expansion Project. Once fully
implemented, the Project will advance GoTriangle's transition towards a zero-emissions
fleet, including battery electric buses (BEBs), electric vehicle charging equipment, on-site
solar photovoltaic electricity generation, and battery storage.
GoTriangle's mission is to improve the region's quality of life by connecting people and
places through safe, reliable and easy-to-use travel choices. GoTriangle provided 1.8
million annual trips in 2019, removing 24 million passenger vehicle miles from regional
highways. Additionally, GoTriangle operates two battery-electric buses, and recently
procured five (5) more, demonstrating the agency's commitment to cost-saving, efficient
and resilient operations.
The Project is in strong alignment with the Environmental Protection Agency's CPRG
Program Objectives, including: significant greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions by 2030;
substantial community benefits, particularly in low-income and disadvantaged
communities; leveraging other funding sources to maximize GHG reductions and
community benefits; and pursue innovative policies and programs that can be replicated
across multiple jurisdictions. The Project is also in strong alignment with the North
Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)'s priority measures, including the
increase of zero emissions and electric vehicles, and the increase of electricity generated
by renewable resources in North Carolina.
Orange County strongly recommends that funding under the Climate Pollution Reduction
Grant (CPRG) Program be allocated to GoTriangle for this initiative.
Sincerely,
Jamezetta Bedford
Chair— Board of County Commissioners