Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER ELECTRICAL VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE TRAINING PROGRAM (EVITP) CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR CITY PROJECTS (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) provides training and certification for electricians installing electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).
The EVITP is a non-profit, volunteer, EV-industry collaborative training program that addresses the technical requirements, safety imperatives, and performance integrity of industry partners and stakeholders.
The program is based on a curriculum that is taught at community colleges, electrical industry training centers, and utility training facilities. In California, courses are currently offered online, followed by an in-person exam.
The certification program is open to all state-certified electricians and it provides training to safely install electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including charging technologies and associated electrical infrastructure for zero-emission vehicles.
With input from our local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) representative, staff prepared Resolution No. 20-158 and a policy/certification form that will be made part of future bid documents for City projects that involve the installation and maintenance of electrical vehicle infrastructure equipment. (Exhibit No. 1 & 2)
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following actions:
1. ADOPT Resolution No. 20-153, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CARSON CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING A POLICY THAT REQUIRES STATE-CERTIFIED ELECTRICIANS WHO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE CITY OF CARSON TO HAVE ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE TRAINING PROGRAM (EVITP) CERTIFICATION.”
2. APPROVE the Electrical Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) Policy and Certification form.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate and consistent with the requirements of the law.
IV. BACKGROUND
The City of Carson has made significant progress towards reducing our dependence on fossil fuels by implementing projects that help reduce our energy use and demand, beginning to transition the City’s fleet to zero-emission vehicles, and using all-electric refuse trucks.
One of the largest sources of greenhouse gasses comes from transportation sector emissions such as automobiles. Increasing EV infrastructure is a needed step to help the City continue to reduce emissions and improving EV charging availability.
The City Council has consistently supported policies that allow for more EV charging infrastructure in the City. On March 19, 2019, the City Council approved the concept of creating a policy, that would have required the installation of electric vehicle infrastructure be performed by California C-10 electrical contractors and required contractors be EVITP approved and their electricians be EVITP certified. (Exhibit No. 3)
As the City begins to develop plans and projects to install more EV charging equipment, the EVITP training program ensures that contractors installing EV infrastructure do so with safety in mind. Installation of EV systems requires adhering to an extensive list of standards, electrical codes, and workmanship requirements. Improperly installed EV systems and infrastructure can result in fire, explosions, electric shock, severe damage to chargers and cars, and other hazardous situations.
The policy as presented in the attached resolution and certification form states the following.
All contractors performing electrical vehicle infrastructure work for the City of Carson shall be approved by the EVITP and electricians on the job shall be EVITP certified according to the following requirements:
a) At a minimum, one job-site supervisor or job-site foreman supervising the EV Work at each job site is required to be an Electrical Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (“EVITP”) certified electrician.
b) The EV work shall be performed only by California State certified general electricians. Apprentices may assist.
c) A minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the state certified general electricians performing the EV Work on each job site shall be EVITP certified electricians.
d) The ratio of journeyman to apprentices shall comply with requirements set forth in California law.
e) EVITP certification requirements do not apply to apprentices.
f) All apprentices assisting on the EV work shall be registered in a State of California Approved Apprenticeship Program which has a graduation rate of at least 60%.
The policy and certification requirement will be made part of all City projects that have EV work. Contractors are required to maintain records of all EV work including the names of all EVITP certified electricians and cooperate if selected for a quality assurance check. The City will be required to review the submitted form and affirm that the contractor is licensed and in good standing and meets other typical requirements such as bonding and worker’s compensation insurance.
More information about the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program is available at <http://www.evitp.org/>
V. FISCAL IMPACT
None.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Resolution no. 20-158. (pgs. 4-6)
2. Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program Policy and Certification. (pgs. 7-8)
3. City of Carson staff report from March 19, 2019. (pgs. 9-12)
1.
Prepared by: Reata Kulcsar, Sustainability Administrator - Utilities & Gilbert Marquez, P.E. City Engineer