WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) joined Governor Wes Moore, U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld and Coppin State University President Anthony L. Jenkins at Coppin State University to announce that the Maryland Clean Energy Center, the state’s official green bank, will receive a $15 million Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The funding, made possible by President Joseph R. Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will support installation of 58 electric vehicle charging stations across the state.
“Robust, reliable EV infrastructure is critical as the country works to transition from gas to electric vehicles,” said Senator Ben Cardin. “This historic federal investment will both strengthen EV infrastructure in Maryland and throughout the country and take significant steps in improving transportation, reducing our carbon emissions and meeting our climate goals.”
“I’ve been very clear that Maryland will achieve 100% clean energy by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2045, but in order to move closer to our goals, we need to bring everyone along for the ride,” said Gov. Moore. “I want to thank the Biden Administration, our federal partners, local leaders, and the Maryland Clean Energy Center for making this happen together, as this project will set an example for the rest of the state and the country in what equitable climate action looks like. It’s not enough to ask people to see themselves in the consequences of climate change – they need to see themselves in the promise of climate action, and that philosophy is at the heart of this historic investment.”
“To address the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state of Maryland and achieve our administration’s clean energy goals we need to build an entire electric ecosystem – including a comprehensive charging network,” said Lt. Gov. Miller. “Today’s announcement brings us closer to our goals and will make it easier for Marylanders to participate in a clean energy future and reap the economic benefits that come with it.”
The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program will strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in the places that people live and work – urban and rural areas alike – in addition to along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. Program investments will make modern and sustainable infrastructure accessible to all drivers of electric, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas vehicles.
In addition to the funding provided to the Maryland Clean Energy Center, the Biden-Harris Administration also announced $623 million in grants to help build out a nationwide electric vehicle charging network, including support for 47 projects across 22 states and Puerto Rico and the construction of approximately 7,500 electric vehicle charging ports.
“USDOT is proud to provide $623 million for EV chargers in communities across the country including 58 EV chargers across Maryland,” said U.S. Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg. “These investments will provide drivers with convenient charging options in addition to addressing climate change, creating good-paying jobs, and boosting the economy.”
“The EV transition is a critical part of our mission to both tackle the climate crisis and build a better environmental and economic future for our state and our nation, but we need a robust and reliable charging network to accomplish it. This Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding will create jobs while improving equitable access to EV charging so more Marylanders can start plugging their cars in — instead of fueling them up,” said Senator…
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