Electric Vehicle Chargers Aim to Boost Tourism in Pennsylvania’s Small Towns
Pennsylvania is gearing up to receive millions in federal funding to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and small towns across the state see an opportunity to boost local tourism. “People can let their vehicles sit for a bit and walk the stores downtown and grab food,” says Steve Herman, transportation planning program director for SEDA-COG. “They’ll serve folks who are living here but also draw in visitors.”
Herman has been actively collaborating with chambers of commerce and community groups over the past year to maximize the economic benefits of the new stations. By carefully planning their locations, he envisions these chargers as a way to bring more people into Pennsylvania’s downtown areas.
This initiative is part of a $5 billion federal program initiated by the Biden administration to expand the EV charging network across the nation. While earlier phases focused on interstates and major highways, the current focus is on local community chargers. Pennsylvania is set to receive $171 million by the program’s conclusion.
Herman, through surveys and workshops, has identified optimal locations for these chargers and reported his findings to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). “Compared to Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, (there are) differences in terms of existing network and priorities,” Herman highlighted in a conversation with Spotlight PA, pointing out that while some areas like university towns already have chargers, wider access is still needed.
To date, Pennsylvania has constructed at least three dozen chargers, using about one-third of its allocated funds. Each charging port has an average cost of $163,000. Experts attribute the swift progress to PennDOT’s prior collaboration with the Department of Environmental Protection and local gas stations.
Electric vehicles are seen as essential in the fight against climate change, with the transportation sector being a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Alissa Burger, regional policy director at CALSTART, emphasized the importance of this federal funding: “You’re not gonna get an EV if you feel nervous about where you’re going to charge it.”
Previously, states like Pennsylvania had limited means to develop EV infrastructure. Burger noted that a 2019 plan proposed only a few stations without sufficient funding. However, the current allocation of funds is a pivotal first step, as unobligated funds could be reclaimed by federal authorities at the program’s expiry in October.
The deployment of these funds faced hurdles, including an executive order from President Donald Trump to freeze funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This was later overturned by a federal judge following a lawsuit led by environmental organizations and states, including Pennsylvania.
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program provides funds to states to expand their EV charging networks. Gas stations, local governments, and EV companies can apply for these funds, covering up to 80% of the costs associated with building or upgrading charging stations.
The initial funding round in 2021 ensured chargers were available every 50 miles on major highways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Pennsylvania successfully achieved this milestone, enabling PennDOT to utilize funds for less-trafficked areas like Northeast Pennsylvania and Erie.
The final wave of funding, aimed at “community-focused EV charging projects,” is sparking interest among small towns eager to harness these chargers as local economic assets. PennDOT, alongside organizations like SEDA-COG, is working to finalize charger locations, with announcements expected this fall.
Original Story at www.thetimes-tribune.com