PennDOT Announces $7.1 Million In Federal Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grants

On August 15, the Department of Transportation announced $7.1 million in investments for Round 1B of federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding. 

Click Here for a list of projects funded.

This funding represents another step in the Shapiro Administration's commitment to combating climate change and providing travelers with transportation options that are cleaner, safer, more affordable, and built by Pennsylvanians.

“With every investment in EV infrastructure, we make clean transportation options more accessible for Pennsylvanians," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. "These awards will help move us to the next phase of EV rollout."

Ten projects in nine counties across the state were selected to fill in the final gaps along Pennsylvania's Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFC) following NEVI Round 1 and Round 1A. 

Charging stations will expand access to, and the reliability of, electric vehicle (EV) charging within Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has over 1,800 miles of AFCs. NEVI guidelines require funds first be used to "build out" designated AFCs (meaning there must be no more than 50 miles between stations and less than 1 mile from an AFC exit) and meet U.S. DOT minimum standards and requirements.

The $7.1 million federal investment is part of the $171.5 million PennDOT will receive and distribute for EV charging infrastructure over five years through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Additionally, charging stations awarded in Round 1B will support the administration's commitment to hire local by requiring at least 50% of the total amount of labor performed during the project to be completed by workers who reside within 50 miles of the site. PennDOT will verify compliance via certified payroll records containing all workers' permanent residential addresses.

Together with previously announced awards, Pennsylvania has committed NEVI funding to 91 projects across 43 counties. 

The Round 1B Funding Opportunity was designed to fill the final gaps in the AFCs that remained following Round 1 and Round 1A awards preparing the state to seek “fully built out" certification and begin the community investment phase.

The NEVI funds support the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of charging sites. 

The PA NEVI program is a reimbursement program and recipients are required to provide a minimum 20% match. PennDOT received 39 unique funding submissions requesting over $27 million for this round of investments.

Click Here for the complete announcement.

For more information, visit PennDOT’s  NEVI webpage.

Related Articles:

-- New Partnership Launches Initiative To Help 60 Low-And-Middle Income Families In Southeast PA Lease Solar Energy Systems To Reduce Their Energy Costs  [PaEN]

-- PA Interfaith Power & Light, Jewish Earth Alliance Hosts Aug. 21 Webinar On Applying For The New Solar For Schools Grant Program  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State, Shell Petrochemicals, Shell Pipeline Company Announce Collaboration Focused On Energy And Sustainability  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- PennLive Guest Essay: As A Mom, Solar For Schools Brings Me Peace Of Mind - By Carolyn Heckman, Evangelical Environmental Network

-- WHYY - Sophia Schmidt: The Philly Region Is Claiming Millions In Home Energy Tax Credits, Here’s How Taxpayers Saved

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: PA Consumers Like Clean Energy Tax Incentives, Survey Shows  

-- Public News Service: 2 Years Of Federal Inflation Reduction Act In PA - Carbon Reduction, Job Creation, Support For Disadvantaged Communities 

-- Green Building Alliance: Erie 2030 District Holds Aug. 20 Progress Report Reception To Celebrate Progress Toward Carbon, Energy Reduction Goals 

-- Post-Gazette: Chatham University’s Eden Hall Campus Is A Living, Breathing Embodiment Of Environmental Consciousness 

-- Warren Times Editorial: Renewables Can Come Quick [Local Wind Energy Ordinances]

-- ABC27: Controversy Growing As Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant Revival Talks Gain Traction

-- PennLive: Possible Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant Restart Draws Protest 

-- Inside Climate News: How The Wharton School At The University Of Pennsylvania, Other Top Business Schools Are Training MBAs For The Climate Economy 

-- Marcellus Drilling News: Shell Flushes $1 Million Down Penn State Toilet On Energy Transition, DEI; Is It Buying Off Penn State?  [PDF of article]

-- WHYY: Climate Change Takes Center Stage At Philadelphia Gas Commission Meeting

-- PennLive Guest Essay: We Can Only Manage Climate Change If We Acknowledge Its Devastating Impact On Poor People - By Raiyan Bakshi, Intern, World Affairs Council Of Harrisburg and PennLive

[Posted: August 15, 2024]  PA Environment Digest