Submitted By: Marie Brooks
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Presentation By: Doug Peebles
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Department: Electric Utility
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve grant award from the U.S. Department of Energy for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program in the amount of $132,740
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OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Fiscally Sustainable, Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) is committed to continuously improving energy efficiency throughout its operational areas and services. Street lighting is a direct community service that enhances public safety. By converting inefficient high-pressure sodium (HPS) and metal halide (MH) streetlights to LED, staff estimates a 35 percent improvement in energy efficiency.
Local government funding assistance was identified under Section 40552(b) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021. The Office of State and Community Energy Programs, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), allocated formula grant funding to eligible local governments for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program.
OEU applied to the DOE for project funding assistance and received an award in the amount of $132,740.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The funds will be used solely to purchase LED streetlight fixtures to replace inefficient HPS and MH fixtures. The City of Ocala will cover all construction, labor, and administrative costs. Without the EECBG grant funds, the City would not pursue any streetlight efficiency replacements for the foreseeable future.
OEU's strategy is first to replace lights along the arterial roads to achieve the greatest benefit. As additional funding is identified, OEU will move to collector roads and local/residential roads.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This agenda item is accompanied by a resolution to appropriate the DOE awarded funds of $132,740 to account # 332-060-227-531-69-65010.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A.
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