Item C: Downtown Projects - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The number of jobs created and energy saved from the electric vehicle charging stations have not been determined. Each station, whether located at home or in public, will require trade skills to safely operate. The introduction of electric vehicles is also spurring related industries in the region stretching from Portland to Eugene and within the metro areas themselves. Some of these related industries include the introduction of other electric vehicles, battery technology development, and electric vehicle infrastructure and component manufacturing. SPECIFIC CITY ACTIONS Unfunded City Action Funded Energy Efficiency: Energy efficient upgrades estimate* and steam conversion are needed for Energy Efficiency $ 300,000 $ 1,000,000 downtown properties. Almost 70 privately Vehicle Charging Stations $ 52,600 $ 250,000 owned buildings downtown currently rely on Total $ 352,600 $ 1,250,000 EWEB’s aging steam infrastructure, which is *General estimates in current dollars planned for decommission by June 2012. (Of those, 25 non-city buildings are within the Downtown Urban Renewal District.) Although energy savings result from steam conversion, the cost is quite significant, estimated at $19.6 million (estimated at $2.85 million for conversion of the 25 Downtown District properties). To further add to this expense, the cost of steam operation increases for the remaining customers as each customer leaves the steam system. The City could collaborate with EWEB, who is already working with the Oregon Department of Energy, to secure financing options for building owners. Other green upgrades could also decrease occupancy costs and improve the appeal of downtown buildings. EWEB offers business customers rebates and a streamlined way to upgrade lighting systems, equipment, and windows with energy efficient products. City resources could be coordinated with EWEB to increase the number of upgrades completed in the downtown core. The cost range for steam conversion is $2.70 to $7.00 per square foot, typically $50,000 to $100,000 per building. Other green upgrades would depend on specific building needs and opportunities for coordination with EWEB. The City has received $300,000 from the Federal Department of Energy for a downtown building retrofit loan program through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (Downtown Retrofit Program). An additional $1 million in funds for energy upgrades would accommodate less than half of the estimate for steam conversion in the downtown core. Vehicle Charging: With a grant from U.S. Department of Energy, Nissan and Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation will introduce 1,000 Nissan Leafs (first mass produced 100% electric vehicle) and 2,000 charging stations for the vehicles in December 2010 to I-5 corridor communities, from Eugene to Portland. The Eugene/Springfield metro area is expected to receive about 100 charging stations for public use (on public and private property). Determining optimal locations will be critical, as each publicly available charging station will require proper connection to the power grid. An Oregon Transportation and Education Research Consortium grant will assist with an electric vehicle community needs assessment for the region. Although, the final estimate for local infrastructure costs has not yet been determined by the entity that receives the funding, $250,000 is the current place holder for an estimated 25 stations in the downtown core. (Each station is estimated to cost $10,000 with the potential for an ETEC/Nissan grant to fund up to 50%.)