CAMPO awarded grant for zero-emission plan

A $225,000 grant from NV Energy will get the ball rolling on Carson City’s possibilities for zero-emission public transit.

The Carson Area Metropolitan Planning Organization has been awarded $225,000 to develop an alternative fuels and zero-emission transition plan that could be used to guide electrification of Jump Around Carson as well as “assess related infrastructure needs for the city,” according to Carson City Transportation Manager Chris Martinovich.

“CAMPO submitted an application and received notice we were awarded a grant from NV Energy to develop a zero-emission plan in accordance with Federal Transit Administration requirements,” said Martinovich. “A zero-emission transition plan is required by the FTA in order for transit agencies, like JAC, to seek federal funding for projects related to low- or no-emission vehicles. This includes low- or no-emission vehicle purchases and the installation of electric charging equipment.”

The recently announced award is part of more than $4 million distributed in NV Energy’s Transit Electrification Grant program. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada and Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County were also recipients.

According to a NV Energy press release, the Transit Electrification Grant program is part of the Economic Recovery Transportation Electrification Plan required by the 2021 Nevada Legislature. Awardees were chosen by a working group consisting of the state’s transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and the Nevada Department of Transportation.

“This new flexible grant program unlocks federal funding that will increase zero-emission mobility options across Nevada,” Marie Steele, NV Energy vice president of integrated energy services, said in the release.

While Washoe and Southern Nevada will be using the awards for electric buses and charging infrastructure, Carson City is taking the first step by developing a plan. The Carson City School District, separate from the city, is building an electric fleet, rolling out the first of four electric buses this year and planning to install charging infrastructure at the transportation yard near Carson High.

Using the grant funding, CAMPO will hire a consultant to complete the tasks outlined in the grant, Martinovich told the Appeal. JAC currently has 17 vehicles, including buses, paratransit vehicles and one minivan.

“With the help of a consultant, development of the plan is anticipated to be begin in late summer following approval by the CAMPO board. The plan is expected to take about a year to complete,” said Martinovich. “Through the effort, we will develop a long-term fleet management plan and summarize how CAMPO, Carson City and transit providers in the CAMPO region can use current or future federal funding opportunities to reduce emissions of the vehicle fleet.

“The plan will examine the existing state and future needs of the JAC and CAMPO’s transit system as it relates to possible electrification transition and outline possible partnership opportunities with NV Energy or other alternative fuel providers.”

The plan will also examine the impact of an electric fleet on the JAC and Carson City workforce, Martinovich said. It will analyze skill gaps and training needs. Furthermore, the plan will include potential partnerships for a regional system.

“The plan will review potential concepts and opportunities to partner with neighboring transit operators (RTC Washoe Intercity, Douglas County DART and Tahoe Transportation District) for the development of a region-wide transit electrification network,” Martinovich said.

For information about the statewide program, visit nvenergy.com/ERTEP.