Santa Rosa Receives EECBG Funding for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan

In a bid to rapidly reduce vehicle fleet emissions and foster sustainable practices, the City of Santa Rosa has been awarded a grant from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, an initiative under the Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This grant, totaling $210,570, is an important step in our community's journey toward a greener, more sustainable future.

With the support of the EECBG Program, the city will complete an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Master Plan (EVIMP) within the next 18 months. With California regulations mandating a swift transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) and zero-emission buses (ZEB), it is imperative for municipalities like Santa Rosa to proactively adapt. The EVIMP will serve as a roadmap, guiding Santa Rosa's future investments in infrastructure that will support the electrification of the city-owned vehicle fleet.

In addition to finalizing the EVIMP, the City of Santa Rosa is also making progress towards electrifying its vehicle fleet for Parks, Planning and Economic Development, Transit, Transportation and Public Works, and Water. For example, the city has 29 buses; four are now electric, and the city has successfully received funding for 17 more. The city currently has infrastructure to charge up to 10 buses, but it will need to build more charging infrastructure to accommodate additional buses and the rest of the city's growing electric vehicle fleet.

The EVIMP is a pragmatic blueprint that outlines actionable steps and strategic investments to accommodate ZEVs and ZEBs in Santa Rosa's operational and transit fleets. As we gear up for compliance with state mandates, the EVIMP will aid in creating informed decisions and pave the way for a seamless transition to eco-friendly transportation solutions.

Santa Rosa is one of the more than 2,700 eligible states, territories, local governments, and Tribes to receive a portion of the more than $430 million in formula funding that will help meet the unique energy needs in communities that serve more than 250 million Americans. Formula grants will be awarded on a rolling basis as the DOE receives complete applications. To learn more about the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, visit energy.gov/scep/energy-efficiency-and-conservation-block-grant-program