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Tracy council approves diesel backup generator for transit station after debate over solar alternative
Summary
Council approved a diesel backup generator and a $2.095 million project budget for the Tracy Transit Station after councilors and public speakers urged staff to consider solar-plus-battery alternatives; staff said bids are time-limited and the 2023 analysis found diesel more economical for backup-only needs.
The Tracy City Council on July 7 approved a contract and an amended project budget to install an emergency diesel backup generator at the Tracy Transit Station, after an extended discussion over whether the city should pause the procurement to consider solar-plus-battery options.
Staff said the KPA Group evaluated options in 2023 and recommended a diesel backup based on initial-install costs and 25-year lifecycle estimates. The transit manager told council the recommended bid award is $1,675,535 to JGC, Inc., with an overall not-to-exceed project budget of $2,095,067 funded by a mix of Transportation Development Act funds and SB1 state program monies.
Councilmember Nygaard asked for a one-month pause while the city's energy audit is finalized; staff and the public-works director said the transit center was not included in the citywide audit and that bid prices are only valid for 30 days. Public commenters argued the city should prioritize long-term savings and resiliency via solar-plus-battery systems rather than diesel, noting lifecycle and fuel-cost risks.
The council ultimately approved the item after staff said construction would not begin until August and that a one-month continuance could require rebidding and risk higher costs. Staff estimated the project would not be operational for roughly a year after construction begins.
Quote "The solar option with the battery storage was one of the options that was evaluated, but it was only evaluated in the purpose of using it for backup energy, not for powering the entire facility," staff said. "We did not look at what would be the overall long term cost savings of converting and seeing if there was even enough space to put solar to power the entire facility at that location." (Transit manager / public works)
What to watch next Staff will proceed with contract execution and construction planning. Council members asked staff to report back about whether solar arrays or battery systems could be integrated into future capital plans; requests included cost-comparison data and whether the transit center roof/parking has capacity for full-power solar arrays.
