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WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014
Vol. CXXIII, No. 98
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE CITY OF TACOMA Devoted to the Courts, Real Estate, Finance, Industrial Activities, and Publication of Legal Notices
Published Published Since Since 1890 1890
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Electric Vehicles
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In observance of Memorial Day, the Tacoma Daily Index will not be published on Mon., May 26. Publication will resume on Tues., May 27. Have a safe holiday.
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Tacoma Narrows Bridge toll rates increase July 1
City Council committee will revisit plan to waive charging station fees Posted online Tues., May 20 Article By Todd Matthews, Editor Images Courtesy City of Tacoma City of Tacoma staff continue to explore a proposed ordinance that would make it cheaper for drivers doing business with City officials to recharge their electric vehicles at some City-owned charging stations. Tacoma's 11-member, Tacoma City Council-appointed Sustainable Tacoma Commission recently recommended councilmembers adopt such an ordinance, which would be modeled after a Washington State law enacted five years ago. The City owns and maintains 30 charging stations at eight locations. Twelve electric vehicle charging stations in five locations are currently available for public use: Pacific Plaza Garage; Museum of Glass; 'A' Street Garage; Greater Tacoma Convention Center; and Cheney Stadium. City of Tacoma Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability Director Kristin Lynett outlined the plan in a May 6 memo to Tacoma City Manager T. C. Broadnax, and discussed the issue during Tacoma City Council's Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability Committee meeting on May 14. According to Lynett, the move would demonstrate Tacoma's commitment to sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and encouraging broader support for electric vehicles. She also told committee members the cost to charge electric vehicles can range between $1.50 to $13. "Often times, this can be more than the cost of gasoline," said Lynett. "We've seen the most demand for something like this at the Center for Urban Waters, where there are a fair amount of visitors, either other agencies coming to do business with the City, or City employees that are really finding it kind of cost-pro-
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hibitive." If an ordinance is adopted, City staff would determine which charging stations would offer free electricity, establish guidelines for each station, and regularly evaluate usage at the charging stations. But Tacoma City Councilmember David Boe was concerned about the public perception of letting City employees and visitors charge their electric vehicles at no cost to the vehicle owners. Lynett pointed to the Washington State law that allows electric vehicle owners to re-charge their vehicles at State-owned charging stations while doing business with the State of Washington. She also described the expense to the City as "de minims." "I know the State's done it," said Councilmember Boe. "I just think this has the potential to be a much stickier issue than the reality of it is. "It has nothing to do with the cost or the cost recovery," he added. "It's more of the concept of, 'Oh, you're getting something for free. And even though you can say it's 13 cents, it doesn't matter. It's for free.' It could actually do more harm than good in pushing the ball forward." "But these are largely facilities that employees use with City vehicles," replied Councilmember Ryan Mello, who also chairs Tacoma City Council's Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability Committee. "Exactly," said Councilmember Boe. "So now you've made the case even stronger for someone to say, 'It's not for me going to the Tacoma Dome. It's only for those that are in the system.'" During the meeting last week, council committee members asked City staff to spend more time drafting an ordinance while also researching whether jurisdictions other than the State of Washington have enacted similar laws. If the council committee renders a "do pass" recommendation for the proposed ordinance, Tacoma City Council could formally vote on the law this summer. "Obviously we want to make sure we vet everything
New toll rates for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge take effect at midnight on July 1. The change reflects the next rate increases approved by the Washington State Transportation Commission last year to ensure the bridge generates enough revenue to cover costs required under law, including maintenance, operations and debt payments, according to Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) officials. Rates will increase for all toll categories. The Good To Go! pass rate will increase from $4.25 to $4.50, cash tolls from $5.25 to $5.50, and Pay By Mail from $6.25 to $6.50. The transportation commission scheduled this July’s rate increase in May 2013, as part of a two-year phased increase. The commission reviewed Tacoma Narrows Bridge traffic and revenue data this past fall and winter to verify the increase is needed to cover operational costs and debt payments. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge was financed such that debt payments were low in the early years and rise over time. This means tolls must continue to increase to pay back construction debt, according to WSDOT officials. The debt is scheduled to be paid off in 2030. More information is available online at wsdot.wa.gov. and we can address people's comfort levels," said Tacoma City Councilmember Anders Ibsen. "But, personally, from where I'm coming on this side, I think it's a very valid policy and I think we have a Sustainable Tacoma Commission for a reason—to bring forward these very timely suggestions for furthering our climate and our conservation goals. My bias, of course, is for taking action as soon as we can on this." Tacoma City Council's Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability Committee is tentatively scheduled to revisit the issue and review the proposed ordinance during a meeting on Weds., June 11, at 4:30 p.m., at Tacoma Municipal Building North, 733 Market St., Room 16, in downtown Tacoma. —Materials from the Weds., May 14, meeting of Tacoma City Council's Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability Committee are available online at tacomadailyindex.com. —An audio recording of the Weds., May 14, meeting of Tacoma City Council's Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability Committee is available online at tacomadailyindex.com. —To read the Tacoma Daily Index's complete and comprehensive coverage of electric vehicles in Tacoma, Pierce County, and Washington State, visit our archives online at tacomadailyindex.com.