Title
Approval of the San Julian Bus Yard Electrification Project-Phase 2
Facilities Services Division, Eco-Sustainability Office and Transportation Services
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Brief Description:
description
(Approval of the San Julian Bus Yard Electrification Project - Phase 2) Recommends approval of the San Julian Bus Yard Electrification Project - Phase 2, including the purchase, installation and/or construction of 79 electric school bus charging stations and related infrastructure, with a project budget of $27,605,591; and the reallocation of $3,460,704 of 2023 Series A Certificates of Participation (2023 COP) proceeds to supplement the project budget.
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Recommendation
Action Proposed:
1. Approve the San Julian Bus Yard Electrification Project - Phase 2 project. The project scope includes the purchase, installation, and/or construction of 79 electric school bus charging stations and related infrastructure at the San Julian Bus Yard. The budget for the proposed project is $27,605,591. The project is expected to begin construction in Q4-2027 and complete construction in Q4-2028.
2. Authorize the reallocation of $3,460,704 of 2023 COP proceeds associated with the Sun Valley Transportation Center Electrification Project (which is expected to no longer be needed due to the anticipated receipt of a grant), to the San Julian Bus Yard Electrification Project - Phase 2, and update the funding strategy for the Sun Valley Transportation Center accordingly.
3. Authorize the Chief Procurement Officer, Chief Facilities Executive, and/or designee(s) to take all necessary actions, including executing all reasonable instruments, as legally permissible, to:
a. implement the project, including executing instruments, budget modifications, and procurement of equipment and materials; and
b. meet additional grant requirements related to the project, including implementation of a five-year maintenance plan ($1,500,000 estimated General Fund cost not included in the project budget or scope) for the EV Chargers and Charge Management System, and to develop and implement an enhanced electric school bus workforce development, maintenance, and training program (funded with a $4,230,160 EPA grant award not included in the project scope or budget).
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Body
Background:
Los Angeles Unified has prioritized efforts to modernize its transportation system while advancing sustainability and public health goals. In 2019, the Board of Education (Board) adopted the Transitioning Los Angeles Unified School District to 100% Clean, Renewable Energy Resulting in Healthier Students and More Sustainable, Equitable Communities Resolution (Res-018-19/20), setting various sustainability goals for the District. Such modernization includes increasing the number of electric vehicles within the fleet, which in turn requires critical infrastructure investments necessary to support the successful operation of said vehicles.
In early 2025, the first phase of the San Julian Bus Yard Electrification project was completed, which installed 17 electric vehicle chargers at the site (Board Report No. 070-24/25, adopted on October 22, 2024, authorized participation in the Zero Emission School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) Incentive Project and performance in said project). Through improvements at the San Julian Bus Yard, including the installation of 79 charging stations and related infrastructure through this project, the District is establishing a fully electrified hub capable of reliably supporting daily electric bus operations. These infrastructure enhancements are essential to maximizing the performance, efficiency, and long-term viability of the District’s growing zero-emission fleet, while also contributing to reduced fuel and maintenance costs over time.
In addition to this proposed action to provide chargers and infrastructure, staff has submitted a companion item, Board Report No. 422-25/26, to authorize the purchase of 79 electric buses to be charged and maintained at the San Julian Bus Yard. Together, these efforts align with the Board’s long-standing commitments to environmental stewardship and student health. By pairing infrastructure investment with workforce development and fleet electrification, Los Angeles Unified is taking a comprehensive approach to reducing emissions, improving air quality, and building a more sustainable and future-ready transportation system.
Expected Outcomes:
The installation of 79 charging stations and related infrastructure to power electric school buses contributes to the reduction of harmful nitrous oxide, particulate matter, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by enabling zero-emission vehicle operations, thereby improving ambient air quality in the communities served by the District. Additionally, these infrastructure investments will support more efficient fleet operations and contribute to reduced transportation costs in the long-term.
The project at San Julian will also facilitate the expansion of workforce training opportunities across Los Angeles Unified. As part of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles (CHDV) Program bundled grant award, the District’s Division of Adult and Career Education (DACE ) is developing an enhanced curriculum focused on electric school bus maintenance and repair, including approximately 300 hours of targeted instruction. Recruitment will prioritize current District mechanics, with an estimated 200 participants annually across three 10-week cohorts. This scalable training model will strengthen the District’s capacity to maintain its electric bus fleet while supporting career advancement opportunities.
Board Options and Consequences:
Adoption of the proposed actions will authorize staff to proceed with the expenditure of funds to immediately implement the proposed project. This would, in turn, enable the District to power electric vehicles within its transportation fleet, achieve operational cost savings, and maximize environmental benefits.
If the Board does not approve the proposal, staff will be unable to initiate the proposed project. This would prevent the installation of 79 electric vehicle charging stations and related infrastructure at the San Julian Bus Yard. This would limit the District’s ability to power electric vehicles within its transportation fleet and prevent the District from realizing operational cost savings and environmental benefits.
Additionally, Los Angeles Unified would forfeit various grant funding opportunities proposed to support the implementation of this project and the San Julian Electric School Buse Purchase Project (Board Report No. 422-25/26) and related activities (e.g., grant requirement not included in either project scope). This includes: $20,340,000 in funding from the EPA CHDV Program (inclusive of infrastructure ($10,144,195), buses ($6,000,000), and workforce development ($4,230,160), all of which are contingent upon moving forward as a package), $9,984,470 in funding from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) (infrastructure only), and $12,372,222 in California Zero-Emission School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) incentive project funding across two applications (infrastructure ($2,332,222) and buses ($10,040,000)).
Policy Implications:
The proposed action aligns with the Board adopted Resolution, Transitioning Los Angeles Unified School District to 100% Clean, Renewable Energy Resulting in Healthier Students and More Sustainable, Equitable Communities (Res-018-19/20).
Budget Impact:
Project Budget and Funding Strategy
The total budget for the proposed project is $27,605,591, funded by a combination of funding from several grants, utility incentives, and the reallocation of $3,460,704 of 2023 COP proceeds. The District has multiple grant approvals that each contribute to the funding for this project. These grants are from EPA, SCAQMD’s Carl Moyer Program, and the ZESBI incentive project. The individual grant amounts and overall funding breakdown for this project is summarized below. The total amount of anticipated grant funding and utility incentives is $24,144,887. General Funds will be used to front-fund this project and will be reimbursed upon receipt of the grant dollars.
With respect to the EPA CHDV funding, the District has committed to a mandatory cost share of $5,850,000 toward the purchase of buses, which, as outlined in Board Repot No. 422-25/26, will be funded by Bond Program funds earmarked in Measure RR specifically for replacing aging and polluting school buses. In addition, the current grant budget identifies $4,783,911 in leveraged costs across multiple categories, including District labor, bus costs, construction costs, and non-warranty maintenance support. These leveraged funds may be derived from a combination of funding sources, including other grants.
|
Total Project Cost |
EPA CHDV |
SCAQMD Carl Moyer |
ZESBI 1 |
ZESBI 2 |
Utility Incentives* |
2023 COP |
|
$27,605,591 |
$10,144,195 |
$9,984,470 |
$1,200,000 |
$1,132,222 |
$1,684,000 |
$3,460,704 |
*On April 12, 2024, Los Angeles Unified and LADWP executed an agreement that establishes funding for Transportation Electrification Projects. Per the terms of the agreement, up to $1,684,000 in incentives in anticipated for this project.
Subsequent to Board approval of the Sun Valley Transportation Center Electrification Project in December 2023 (Board Report No. 024-23/24), the District successfully applied for a grant valued at $8 million which has enabled the reallocation of COPs funding to this project. The Sun Valley Transportation Center Electrification Project has a project budget of $71,758,132, and was initially fully funded with COPs.
Cost Avoidance/Savings
The installation of 79 electric vehicle charging stations and related infrastructure at the San Julian Bus Yard will enable the District to reliably support and sustain electric fleet operations. This investment is expected to yield significant operational efficiencies by reducing ongoing fuel and maintenance costs associated with traditional diesel operations. Current fleet diesel fuel and maintenance costs average approximately $32,000 per vehicle annually, compared to an estimated $6,500 per vehicle for electric operations. As a result, the transition supported by this infrastructure project is expected to reduce General Fund operating costs by approximately $2,014,500 annually. Approximately $300,000 of the anticipated annual avoided costs will be redirected for the maintenance of the EV chargers and charge management system at San Julian. The estimated cost of a 5-year maintenance plan for the EV chargers and charge management system is $1.5 million, which is not included in the total project budget.
Student Impact:
The installation of 79 charging stations and related infrastructure will directly benefit students by enabling the District’s Transportation Services Branch (TSB) to reliably support the daily operation of its electric bus fleet. A fully electrified and properly equipped bus yard will reduce service disruptions associated with fueling and maintenance, helping ensure more consistent, on-time transportation to and from school. In addition, the transition to zero-emission bus operations supported by this infrastructure will improve student health by reducing exposure to transportation-related air pollution. Further, the operational efficiencies and cost savings associated with electric fleet infrastructure create opportunities for the District to reinvest General Fund resources into initiatives that support student learning and well-being.
Equity Impact:
|
Component |
Score |
Score Rationale |
|
Recognition |
3 |
The installation of 79 electric vehicle charging stations and related infrastructure will support the District’s efforts to transition to 100% clean renewable energy, resulting in healthier students by limiting their exposure to harmful pollutants and creating more equitable communities. |
|
Resource Prioritization |
3 |
The 79 electric vehicle charging stations and related infrastructure will enable the District to power its zero-emission electric school buses, which benefit students by improving the overall transportation route coverage across the District. Further, the installation of these charging stations and related infrastructure will enable the District’s Transportation Services to reduce its operational costs. These savings may be reinvested in other initiatives that support student success. |
|
Results |
3 |
The 79 electric vehicle charging stations and related infrastructure will power electric school buses that help ensure students get to school on time every day, so they have the opportunity to learn. |
|
TOTAL |
9 |
|
Issues and Analysis:
Under the terms and conditions of the grants, LAUSD shall, at a minimum, be responsible for and/or agree to the following:
• Replace eligible internal combustion engine vehicles with eligible zero-emission vehicles, and support their operation through the purchase, installation, operation, and maintenance of charging infrastructure (including AC Level 2 and DC fast charging equipment).
• Provide workforce development and training to support the maintenance, charging, and operation of zero-emission vehicles.
• Implement the project in accordance with the final approved workplan, including adherence to all project milestones and timely reporting of any deviations from budget, scope, or objectives, with prior written approval from the EPA required for changes.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive project schedule with milestone dates, including final design, permitting, contract execution, equipment procurement and delivery, construction, installation, testing, and commissioning.
• Submit all required documentation, including permits, approvals, certifications, and a final commissioning report upon completion.
• Submit required reporting including, quarterly performance reports, subaward monitoring activities, eligibility and scrappage documentation, and annual operational reports for the life of the project (including usage data and downtime analysis).
• Ensure all infrastructure is installed, owned, operated, and maintained in accordance with project requirements, remains operational within SCAQMD boundaries, and is fully functional at the time of inspection and throughout the project life.
• Comply with all applicable regulatory requirements, including AB 841 (Public Utilities Code Section 740.20), requiring EVITP-certified installers unless installed by a qualifying utility.
• Coordinate with SCAQMD for pre- and post-installation inspections and demonstrate full operational capability, including live connection to fueling infrastructure.
• Maintain infrastructure performance by promptly reporting issues to SCAQMD (within 15 days) and resolving them expeditiously; repairing or replacing failed fuel/energy meters as needed; and operating equipment consistent with projected usage and fleet demand.
• Provide SCAQMD and CARB access to operational data throughout the project life, including annual fuel/energy usage.
• Comply with program visibility and identification requirements, including permanent display of SCAQMD decals on funded equipment; and affix decals provided by ZESBI to zero emission school buses.
• Provide detailed documentation of all expenses at any time throughout the project.
• Allow state or granting agencies, or their representatives, upon written request, reasonable access to and inspection of all project records during the agreement term and for five years after, unless notified beforehand that a longer retention period is required.
• Include the project in audits when requested, and require the same audit rights in all subawards or subcontracts.
Attachments:
None
Submitted:
04/29/26
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, APPROVED BY:
______________________________ _____________________________
ANDRÉS E. CHAIT PEDRO SALCIDO
Acting Superintendent Deputy Superintendent
Business Services and Operations
APPROVED BY: APPROVED & PRESENTED BY:
______________________________ ______________________________
JAIME TORRENS KRISZTINA TOKES
Senior Advisor to the Superintendent Chief Facilities Executive
Office of the Superintendent Facilities Services Division
___ Approved as to form.
APPROVED & PRESENTED BY: APPROVED & PRESENTED BY:
______________________________ ______________________________
CHRISTOS CHRYSILIOU DANIEL KANG
Chief Eco-Sustainability Officer Director
Eco-Sustainability Office Transportation Services
REVIEWED BY: REVIEWED BY:
______________________________ ______________________________
DEVORA NAVERA REED KURT E. JOHN
General Counsel Deputy Chief Financial Officer
____ Approved as to form. ___ Approved as to budget impact statement.