HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated January 28, 2025ITEM #:16
DATE:01-28-25
DEPT:ADMIN
SUBJECT:ENERGY READY PROGRAMS: SOLSMART AND CHARGING SMART
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Energy Ready is a Department of Energy (DOE) funded technical assistance and recognition program
administered by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and the Interstate
Renewable Energy Council (IREC), among many other supporting partners. The Energy Ready suite
consists of three programs: SolSmart, Charging Smart, and Wind Smart.
Energy Ready provides technical assistance to municipalities to streamline installation and reduce
the soft costs of solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) charging. Soft costs in the City's purview to
control include permitting, zoning, inspection, and interconnection. The program involves hands-
on engagement with industry experts who will assist the City in identifying best practices and
efficiencies to make it easier for residents and businesses to install solar and EV charging.
Each program also maintains a set of scoring criteria that can result in a bronze, silver, gold, or
platinum designation. Scoring is based on the best practices that are already in place or implemented
throughout the program engagement. Staff is seeking authorization to participate in the SolSmart
and Charging Smart programs. There is no cost to participate in these programs.
SOLSMART:
In 2017, City staff participated in the SolSmart program and received a silver designation. This was a
joint effort across multiple departments and resulted in process improvements, zoning text amendments,
and overall more efficient procedures making it easier and cheaper to install private solar in Ames.
Staff is seeking to build on the previous work done and achieve gold designation. Staff has met with
SolSmart and reviewed the scoring criteria, and most requirements for gold designation have already
been met through improvements implemented since 2017. SolSmart scoring categories include:
Permitting and Inspection
Planning & Zoning
Government Operations
Market Development
Community Engagement
CHARGING SMART:
Unlike SolSmart, Charging Smart is a new program and endeavor for Ames and it is unclear which level
of designation the City will pursue. While staff has met with Charging Smart to learn about the
program, formal engagement is initiated by approval of the attached commitment letter (Attachment A).
Following formal approval, Charging Smart will evaluate Ames policies, procedures, and programs that
impact the development of electric vehicle charging equipment. This includes a review of Municipal
Code to identify any inadvertent barriers to EV charging, or any opportunities to further enable EV
chargers. Charging Smart will present the results of this review and any recommendations to staff from
City Manager's Office, Planning and Housing, Inspections, and Electric Services. Staff will evaluate the
results and make an effort to implement best practices recommendations.
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The engagement will also result in an EV charging landing page on the City website. This page will
provide all relevant information needed for a local resident or organization seeking to install EV
charging infrastructure. The Charging Smart scoring categories include:
Planning and Zoning
Regulation
Utility Engagement
Education and Incentives
Government Operations
Shared Mobility
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Authorize staff to participate in the Energy Ready suite of programs for SolSmart and Charging
Smart.
2. Do not authorize staff to participate in the Energy Ready suite of programs.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Participation in the Energy Ready program for SolSmart and Charging Smart aligns with the
Climate Action Plan by streamlining installation of solar and EV charging throughout Ames.
Enabling solar will reduce GHG emissions and lower costs for residents. Additional availability of
EV charging in Ames enables the transition to low-emissions transportation. There is no cost to
the City for participation in the program. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager
that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as described above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment A: Charging Smart Commitment Letter.pdf
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Mayor’s Office 515.239.5204 main 515 Clark Ave., P.O. Box 811
515.239.5142 fax Ames, IA 50010
www.CityOfAmes .org
January 28 , 202 5
Ed Gilliland
Interstate Renewable Energy Council
125 Wolf Road
Suite 100
Albany, NY 12205
Dear Ed,
On behalf of the City of Ames, I am proud to announce our commitment to become a Charging Smart
designated community dedicated to accelerat ing local adoption of EVs and EV charging infrastructure .
We commit to exploring and developing best practices around accelerating the adoption of electric
vehicles, and increasing accessibility of EV charging infrastructure for all Ames residents, especially low -
to moderate income and rental households.
Our commitment builds upon our past participation in the SolSmart program which resulted in a SolSmart
Silver designation in 2017. Furthermore, it aligns with our commitment to sustainability and our Climate
Action Plan.
The City of Ames has already begun identifying measures around sustainable transportation. We look
forward to tracking and reporting additional measures as it relates to EV and infrastructure deployment.
Nolan Sagan, City of Ames Sustainability Coordinator, will serve as the point of contact for Charging
Smart . He can be reached at Nolan.Sagan@cityofames.org or 515 -239-5227.
Sincerely,
John Haila
Mayor
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