RESEARCH DIVISION
TRANSPORTATION, ENERGY & UTILITIES SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
March 20, 2017
City Council Chamber
Ground Floor, City
Hall
Immediately following the 2:00 Committee meeting.
Attendance: Council Members: Al Ferraro (Chair), Doyle Carter (Vice Chair), Greg Anderson, Anna Lopez Brosche, John Crescimbeni, Reggie Gaffney; Council Member Reggie Brown was excused; Assistant General Counsel Paige Johnston; Kim Taylor, Council Auditor’s Office; Jordan Elsbury, Administration; John Jackson, Council Research Division; Legislative Assistants Jessica Matthews, Samantha Lane and Staci Lopez.
The Chairman called the special committee meeting to order at 2:22 P.M.
The focus of the Special Meeting was a presentation on electric vehicles by JEA.
Jordan Pope, JEA Government Relations Manager, introduced Peter L. King, JEA Program Manager, who made a PowerPoint presentation on electric vehicles.
Mr. King explained that JEA has been involved with electric vehicles for the past few years.
Electric vehicles can benefit many constituents including fleets (e.g., FedEx), battery-operated buses and electric school buses .
One of the environmental benefits of electric vehicles in Florida is clean air. With electric vehicles there are 70% fewer emissions. There is low to no tailpipe emissions; electric vehicles preserve Florida’s environment. Florida’s power generation continues to become cleaner. 81% of electric vehicles power is generated without coal.
Mr. King explained that the economic benefit of electric vehicles in Florida is considerable. Every electric vehicle purchased contributes over $1,400 per year to the Florida economy in the form of fuel and maintenance savings.
American adaptation to electric vehicles is on the rise. In 2011, there were 50,000 vehicles. In 2016, there were 560,000 vehicles. Mr. King noted that Florida is a big electric vehicle state. Florida ranks 4th in the top 10 states where electric vehicles are on the rise.
On the national level, there are eleven states currently offering electric vehicle incentives in the form of rebates, sales tax exemptions or income tax credits.
Mr. King explained that JEA is committed to electric vehicles because of long term positive impacts on the power grid.
In the four counties of Northeast Florida (Duval, Clay, Nassau & St. Johns), there were 15 electric vehicles in 2011, 263 in 2013, 770 in 2015 and 1,240 in 2016. There are currently 670 electric vehicles registered in Duval County.
In a 2015 study, Jacksonville ranked 24th out of 36 major metro areas for electric vehicle readiness in areas such as public charging, incentives, electric vehicle fleet programs, charging equipment permit process, and the price of electricity. There are over 40 public charging stations in Duval County.
Mr. King fielded a number of questions.
There being no further business, the Special Meeting was adjourned at 2:46 P.M.
John J. Jackson, Council Research Division (904) 630-1729
03.22.17
Posted: 4:00 P.M.