Charging electric vehicles in Philomath will get a whole lot easier with the city awarded $97,950 to install stations at three sites.
The Oregon Department of Energy last week announced $1.2 million in grant awards to local governments across the state. The Philomath project was among 13 approved for funding.
The funding was available through the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program for energy efficiency, renewable energy and transportation-related projects.
The Philomath project features the installation of two Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations in the downtown core and one dual-port Level 2 charging station in the Philomath Community Library parking lot. Level 2 EV charging stations are faster and commonly used at public sites.
The Philomath project’s work also includes planning for and completing site preparation, electrical infrastructure upgrades and civil infrastructure necessary for the charging stations including signage, pavement striping, Americans with Disabilities Act access ramps, switchboards, conduit, wire, site restoration incidental to construction operations, energizing, and coordination with Pacific Power for power service.
Local governments were encouraged to apply earlier this year for the grants, which support projects that reduce fossil fuel emissions, lower a community’s total energy use, improve energy efficiency and build a clean and equitable energy economy.
The EECBG program was also designed to advance equity, environmental and energy justice priorities in support of federal Justice40 Initiative goals to deliver benefits to disadvantaged communities. ODOE estimates that at least 40% of the awarded funds are supporting projects in disadvantaged communities across the state.
The Port of Tillamook (electric vehicles), Woodburn (charging stations), North Bend (street light fixtures), Coos Bay (HVAC system repair and upgrades), West Linn (EV charging station), The Dalles (HVAC system upgrade in library) and Tualatin (building audits and retrofits) will each receive $100,000 through the program. Ashland will also receive $100,000 in total but through two separate $50,000 grants (electric vehicle car share program and creation of subsidized Home Energy Score program).
In addition to Philomath, others receiving grants included Multnomah County ($99,386 to support Home Energy Scores and efficiency upgrade), Redmond ($96,495 for EV charging station) and Myrtle Creek ($63,835 to purchase an electric vehicle).