Common use of Impact Statement Clause in Contracts

Impact Statement. Funded projects will directly facilitate far greater market commercialization of zero emission battery electric buses by deploying all-electric zero emission vehicles within our state. Enhanced service on these routes will increase mobility, economic, and health prospects of these environmentally and economically disadvantaged communities. The US EPA has created a tool to help understand the impact of various technologies that improve diesel bus emissions, called the Diesel Emission Quantifier (DEQ) tool.4 Benefits in terms of local air pollutants are shown in the table below, emission reductions will vary slightly depending on the model year and usage of bus being replaced. Transit Vehicle Replacements 12-30 0.5-2.5 3-6 1.5-2.5 *Emissions from the electrical grid are not included in the results, granting the NOx emissions in Rhode Island from electricity generation is equal to 0.1835 annual NOx output per lb/MWh. The national average is 0.9461 annual NOx output per lb/MWh. The DEQ tool provides perspective not only on emissions, but there is a health benefit analysis component that provides perspective on the improvement of health care costs county by county across the United States. The DEQ calculates emissions improvements for PM 2.5 (particulates), CO2 (greenhouse gases), and for NOx. The health benefit analysis is based on improvements in particulate matter only. PM is responsible for a variety of respiratory/bronchial issues as well as heart and other diseases. The tool considers the benefits associated with many health-related issues. From a cost reduction perspective, the tool considers the cost of hospitalization, the cost of emergency rooms visits and the cost of absence from work. Switching from diesel buses to electric buses reduces the amount of particulate matter in the air, which decreases the frequency of incidence of heart and lung disease, which in turn reduces hospital costs and costs associated with work absence. The tool was run assuming that buses travel 44,782 miles per year and use approximately 6,131 gallons of fuel per year per bus. The particulate matter reduction associated with the elimination of diesel fuel was calculated at 100% of that which was produced previously by diesel buses. The assumption was made that 100% of bus miles are driven within state lines. Using that mix of bus miles, the health care costs savings in calculated to be about $2,800,000 per year. Funded projects will allow for increasing investments in light-duty ▇▇▇ infrastructure. These investments will result in emission reductions associated with increased ▇▇▇ adoption and usage. However, to avoid double-counting emission benefits associated with vehicles, this plan will not quantify direct NOx reduction benefits from this project category. 4 “Diesel Emissions Quantifier (DEQ),” Clean Diesel. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, April 10, 2017. Web < ▇▇▇▇▇://▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇/cleandiesel/diesel-emissions-quantifier-deq> The Trust Agreement requires the BMP to include an explanation of the process by which Rhode Island will seek and consider public input. Over the past year, the Department has met with stakeholders with expertise in heavy-duty vehicles, equipment, electric charging stations and health impacts of air pollution regarding administration of Volkswagen Trust funds in Rhode Island. The Department has also presented to various committees and councils, Clean Cities Coalitions and several interstate conferences with interest in the VW Settlement. The Department also collected additional input via the Department’s Volkswagen Settlement webpage/email. Organizations and individuals with thoughts and ideas concerning EMT funds submitted those ideas via email, the Department received 30 comments from January 12, 2017 through February 1, 2018. Outlined above is the non-binding plan intended to provide the public insight into the Department’s high-level vision for the use of funds and proposes to implement the above strategy in Rhode Island. As stated in the Consent Decree, Appendix D, Section 2.0.3: “It shall be the purpose of the Mitigation Trust to fund Eligible Mitigation Actions to be proposed and administered by the Beneficiaries subject to the requirements of the Consent Decree and this Trust Agreement. The goal of each Eligible Mitigation Action shall be to achieve reductions of NOx emissions in the United States.” This mitigation plan is not a solicitation for projects. The Department will provide updates of the mitigation plan to the Trustee and on the DEM’s public webpage about Rhode Island’s actions for meeting the requirements of the Partial Consent Decree and the Mitigation Trust at: ▇▇▇▇://▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇.▇▇▇/programs/air/vwsettle.php. Public Notice & Public Informational Session – The Department has prepared a public notice (Appendix C) for the BMP. The public notice will be posted on the Department’s VW website and be shared with, but not limited to: the Department’s Office of Air Resources listserve; OER’s newsletter subscribers; RIPTA’s listserve; and RI’s Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council’s listserve. The public will have the opportunity to provide plan specific feedback during a 30-day public comment period. In addition, the Department will host a public information session. Plan specific comments may be emailed to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇.▇▇.▇▇▇ through June 11, 2018. Final Beneficiary Mitigation Plan – The Department will consider all comments received, review any new or revised requirements the trustee develops, make any relevant revisions, and post the final BMP on the Department’s VW website. After revisions, the Department, as the lead agency, will submit the final BMP to the trustee no later than 30 days prior to its first funding request. As outlined in the settlement, the Department may revise the final BMP as necessary to reflect major changes in market demand, the State’s goals, or available funds in future years.