Primary Department: County Administration
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Jesse Dickerman, Interim County Administrator
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Amendment
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Geotechnology Research Institute of the Houston Advanced Research Center
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: Exempt - Interlocal/Cooperative Agreement
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): 0%
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Grantor does not allow indirect cost capture
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Office of County Administration for approval of an amendment to the subrecipient agreement with the Geotechnology Research Institute of the Houston Advanced Research Center, to pass through additional grant funds in the amount of $2,902,119 for the EPA-funded Solar for All program.
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Background and Discussion:
The Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) is a key implementation partner for the Texas Solar for All Coalition. The subrecipient agreement with HARC provides critical programmatic support to coalition members, leveraging HARC's expertise in clean energy, climate equity, and resilience programming. Within the Coalition, HARC leads efforts in Port Arthur, Tarrant County, statewide multifamily housing, and Hub Homes/Community Hubs. Since the program's inception, HARC has worked alongside Harris County to jointly design and manage the program's complex administrative needs.
Expected Impact:
The proposed amendment will increase funding to support HARC's expanded role in delivering crucial Engagement, Workforce Development, Financial Assistance, and Technical Assistance components of the Dallas County program. This will enhance service delivery consistency across the Coalition and maximize the reach of Solar for All benefits to low-income communities throughout the region.
Alternative Options:
To not execute this subrecipient agreement and risk non-fulfillment of grant deliverables.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 5. Minimize the impact of climate change and disasters.
County Strategic Plan Objective: Q: Encourage residents, businesses, and public entities to significantly reduce their environmental footprint for the health of our region.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Q2: Increase energy resilience of Harris County through deployment of affordable, reliable community solar.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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01/23/2025 |
25-0109 |
Request by the Office of County Administration for approval of a subrecipient agreement with the Geotechnology Research Institute of the Houston Advanced Research Center to pass through grant funds in the amount of $47,547,657, for the EPA-funded Solar for All program. |
|
01/09/2025 |
25-0121 |
Transmittal by the Office of County Administration providing an update on the Notice of Amended Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Solar for All, including updated Terms and Conditions for the program, with the total grant amount of $249.7 million remaining unchanged. |
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10/29/2024 |
24-6889 |
Request by the Office of County Administration for approval to accept from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant funds in the total amount of $249,700,000, with no required match, for the Solar for All Program. |
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5/7/2024 |
24-2880 |
Transmittal by the Office of County Administration/Office of Sustainability of notification of selection of an award from the Environmental Protection Agency for the Solar for All grant. |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Choose an item.
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Anticipated Court Date: 5/22/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department:
Jesse Dickerman, Interim County Administrator, Office of County Administration; Andrea Oyuela, Program Manager, Solar for All, Office of County Administration
Attachments (if applicable): Amendment to Subrecipient Agreement