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Home My WebLink AboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 03/19/2002 - RESOLUTION 2002-027 ESTABLISHING A POLICY TO IMPL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 23 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: March 19, 2002FROM• Gary Schroeder SUBJECT: Resolution 2002-027 Establishing a Policy to Implement Hydrogen-Related Projects Within the City. RECOMMENDATION: Staff, the Air Quality Advisory Board, the Natural Resources Advisory Board, and the Electric Board recommend adoption of the Resolution. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Adoption of this Resolution would direct the City Manager to seek external grant funding for the purpose of hiring a grant writer and to implement hydrogen demonstration projects. The Resolution also directs the City Manager to explore partnerships in order to implement projects, and to develop and carry out a plan to provide community education regarding hydrogen. The Resolution calls for the City Manager to bring recommended projects before Council for approval. BACKGROUND: In December 2000 the City Manager appointed the Hydrogen Task Force with the charge of investigating what the City should be doing related to hydrogen as an alternative fuel/energy carrier. The Task Force began meeting in February 2001 and on August 27, 2001 submitted a report to the City Manager titled, "Report of the City of Fort Collins Hydrogen Task Force". Subsequently, the City Manager advised bringing the recommendations of the Task Force to a Council study session. A presentation of the Task Force's findings and recommendations was made at the Council's February 12, 2002, study session. At that study session, Council directed staff to draft this Resolution for Council consideration. . RESOLUTION 2002-027 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS ESTABLISHING A POLICY TO IMPLEMENT HYDROGEN-RELATED PROJECTS WITHIN THE CITY WHEREAS, on February 18, 1997, the City Council, by Resolution 97-25, adopted the Community Visions and Goals 2015, City Structure Plan, and City Plan Principles and Policies as elements of the Comprehensive Plan of the City, also known as "City Plan", which supports improving air quality, reducing motor vehicle emissions, encouraging and facilitating increased energy efficiency and use of renewable resources, and to solicit cooperation and participation of independent community organizations; and WHEREAS, on April 1, 1997, the Council adopted Resolution 97-51 providing that as a user of energy, the City shall regularly evaluate the latest technologies utilizing alternative fuels for transportation and, to the greatest extent practicable, apply such technologies to the operation of City vehicles in order to provide energy efficient transportation; and WHEREAS, Resolution 97-51 also provides that as community leader, the City should also regularly evaluate means by which City-wide demand and usage of fossil fuels can be reduced and should attempt to develop means by which it can further such goals, through the City's role as educator, promoter and regulator; and . WHEREAS, on November 16, 1999, the Council adopted Resolution 99-137 establishing a policy to take cost-effective actions that benefit the community to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions; and WHEREAS, the increased use of hydrogen can provide benefits to the citizens of Fort Collins such as improved air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced dependence on imported oil, and keeping energy dollars in the local and state economy; and WHEREAS, many organizations and companies in the United States and around the world are actively engaged in research, development, and demonstration of hydrogen technologies; and WHEREAS, the federal government is putting increased resources towards research on hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicles and infrastructure; and WHEREAS, in December, 2000, the City Manager appointed a Hydrogen Task Force to evaluate hydrogen technologies and to make recommendations on what the City could do with regards to hydrogen; and WHEREAS, on August 27, 2001, the Hydrogen Task Force submitted a report to the City Manager recommending the City take certain actions with regards to hydrogen; and WHEREAS, the City is in a unique position to attract hydrogen-related projects and funding, due to the potential for region partnerships, development of the Mason Street Corridor, a favorable testing environment for technologies with high altitude and extreme weather variation, and access to local sources of hydrogen; and WHEREAS, at its February 12, 2002, Study Session, the Council directed the Hydrogen Task Force to draft a resolution outlining the next steps to be taken to develop opportunities for the City related to hydrogen technologies. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That the City Manager is hereby directed to seek external grant funding for the purpose of hiring a grant writer and for implementing demonstration projects for hydrogen- related technologies. Section 2. That the City Manager is hereby directed to explore partnerships that would facilitate the creation of hydrogen projects. Section 3. That the City Manager is hereby directed to develop a public education plan intended to provide hydrogen education to the community, and to proceed to implement that plan. Section 4. That no later than the end of 2003, the City Manager is hereby directed to report to the Council his recommendations for hydrogen-related projects for Council review based upon the feasibility of such projects considering the available grant funds and other non- City resources and general project costs. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins held this 19th day of March, A.D. 2002. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Martinez and Councilmembers FROM: Eric Levine, Air Quality Advisory Board Chair DATE: February 5, 2002 SUBJECT: Support of Hydrogen Task Force (HTF)Recommendations On January 29, 2002, the Air Quality Advisory Board voted unanimously to recommend that City Council support the establishment of a formal hydrogen program in the City, and seek grant funding to hire a program coordinator to further the goals of the hydrogen program. We also support the phased implementation of projects outlined in the HTF report: • Develop partnerships with regional organizations and companies. • Educate the public about the hydrogen and fuel cells. • Install a hydrogen fueling station to support the use of hydrogen vehicles. • Introduce a hydrogen-fueled bus or busses into Transfort fleet. • Establish a stationary fuel cell research and demonstration project. • Obtain hydrogen-powered fleet demonstration vehicle(s). The Air Quality Advisory Board supports a hydrogen program for several reasons. Hydrogen is likely to be the predominant energy carrier of the future. Fort Collins has the unique opportunity to partner with numerous regional organizations to promote hydrogen, strengthening the effort exponentially, while reducing the commitment of individual partners. In addition, numerous existing City policies support the City's embracing hydrogen. The development and use of hydrogen will help the City meet its goal of continually improving air quality as the city grows. Of greatest importance to the Board are the air quality benefits associated with the use of hydrogen. Replacing fossil fuel with hydrogen would help improve air quality (including visibility) by reducing emissions associated with burning fossil fuels for electricity and transportation. Included in these fossil-fuel emissions are particulates, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon monoxide, toxic diesel emissions, and others. Therefore, we strongly encourage City Council to demonstrate leadership and commitment to a more sustainable future by supporting a hydrogen program. Please don't hesitate to contact me at eric.levine@ unoxom or 493-6341 if you have any questions or comments. Thank you. February 5, 2002 To City Council, The Fort Collins Electric Board concurs with the recommendations of the Hydrogen Task Force as outlined in their report to the City Manager dated August 27, 2001. Specifically we support establishing a formal hydrogen program within the City through a resolution by council. The Electric Board also supports hiring a hydrogen program coordinator and soliciting funding to carry out the following projects: 1. Introduce a hydrogen fuel cell bus or buses into the Transfort system. 2. Education of the public regarding the nature of hydrogen and fuel cells. 3. Obtain hydrogen-powered fleet demonstration vehicle(s). 4. Install a hydrogen fueling station to support the use of hydrogen vehicles. 5. Establish a stationary fuel cell research and demonstration project. 6. Develop partnerships with regional organizations and companies. Where necessary, we also support the use of City staff and other resources to meet specific grant matching requirements when appropriate. Development of a hydrogen program is a step in the right direction toward creating a sustainable future. Implementing recommendations of the HTF now will position the City to take advantage of emerging hydrogen technologies and related funding opportunities over the next decade and beyond. This is a good investment in the future of our city. Sincerely, Alison Mason Electric Board Chairperson Community Planning and Environmental Services Natural Resources Department City of Fort Collins MEMORANDUM DATE: February 7, 2002 TO: Mayor and Councilmembers John F. Fischbach, City Manager FROM: Randy Fischer for the Natural Resources Advisory Boar RE: Hydrogen Task Force Recommendations The Natural Resources Advisory Board supports the recommendations of the Hydrogen Task Force contained in its report to the City Manager dated August 27, 2001. Most importantly, we support establishing a hydrogen program within the City through a resolution passed by Council. . The NRAB also supports soliciting funding to hire a hydrogen program coordinator and to carry out the following projects: 1. Introduce a hydrogen fuel cell bus or buses into the Transfort system. 2. Education of the public regarding the nature of hydrogen and fuel cells. 3. Obtain hydrogen-powered fleet demonstration vehicle(s). 4. Install a hydrogen fueling station to support the use of hydrogen vehicles. 5. Establish a stationary fuel cell research and demonstration project. 6. Develop partnerships with regional organizations and companies. The City is uniquely positioned to provide leadership in the development of hydrogen through projects such as those listed above. Implementing the recommendations of the Hydrogen Task Force now will position the City to take advantage of emerging hydrogen technologies and related funding opportunities over the next decade and beyond. Establishing a hydrogen program is a step in the right direction toward creating a sustainable future, and is a good investment for Fort Collins. As always, please feel free to contact us with questions or comments. Randy Fischer,NRAB Chair 226-5383 karandO,frii.com 281 North College Avenue • P.O.Box 580 • Fort Collins,CO 80522-0580 • (970)221-6600 • FAX(970)224-6177