County approves GreenSpot agreement to install two EV fast chargers at Ithaca Tompkins International Airport

Tompkins County legislators on Thursday approved a partnership with GreenSpot to install two high‑speed electric vehicle (EV) chargers at Ithaca Tompkins International Airport and receive a fixed 5% share of revenue from the stations.

The authorization, recorded as resolution ID 13181 and moved by Legislator Randy Brown and seconded by Legislator Greg Mezey, directs the county to enter an agreement that establishes a 10‑year initial easement with two five‑year mutual extensions and makes the chargers publicly accessible in the airport’s short‑term parking lot.

The airport’s director, Roxanne, told the committee the location will give broad access because short‑term parking is available 24/7. Joe (GreenSpot), the company’s representative, said GreenSpot will manage engineering, utility coordination and operations. "To get a fast charger installed, it takes somewhere between 6 to 12 months from the time the contract is executed," Joe said, citing typical timelines driven by utility scheduling, permitting and construction.

Joe described the equipment as dual‑port fast chargers with on‑unit payment terminals and optional mobile‑app functionality. He said stations accept tap‑to‑pay, provide receipts and are supported by 24/7 customer service. He also described the company’s operations and experience: "We've been doing this for 10 years…we have a nationwide network in over 25 states," he said.

Committee members pressed on economics and technical safeguards. Joe said the county’s 5% share is fixed under the proposed agreement and estimated initial annual revenue to the county could be "somewhere around $2,000" in a first year scenario but could rise if utilization increases. Legislator Greg Mezey asked for clearer revenue projections before the measure reaches the full legislature; Greg said he wanted "to make sure that we fully understand the economics, and that it's fully presented upfront in the conversation." The committee indicated it will seek more detailed projections for the legislative floor.

Members also asked whether current weights‑and‑measures‑style inspection exists for EV meters. Joe and committee members agreed there is no direct equivalent to a gas pump meter inspection for EV charging statewide; Joe explained the charging equipment is sub‑metered and tied to the utility meter, and the vehicle controls how much energy it accepts. He said GreenSpot can produce usage and submeter data and will refund customers if a clear billing error is detected.

Planning staff said the county issued a broad RFP that attracted multiple vendors and that some municipalities are expected to be able to "piggyback" on the county agreement. Legislator Annie C. noted municipal interest in rural fast chargers and GreenSpot representatives and planning staff said the county and vendor will explore additional sites if demand and utility access justify expansion.

The committee voted in favor; the resolution will go next to the full legislature. Members asked that staff provide more detailed utilization and revenue modeling before the full‑legislature vote.

The agreement also requires the vendor to obtain permits, coordinate with NYSEG for service upgrades, complete engineering plans for county review and use local licensed electricians for construction work where feasible. GreenSpot said final commissioning and a public go‑live would follow completion of those steps.

Usage and revenue remain uncertain: committee members repeatedly noted the outcome depends on how often the stalls are used and on the wider deployment of additional stations in the county.