U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited RS Automotive in Takoma Park yesterday to announce that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to build and support a national electric vehicle charging network.
The newly-created Joint Office of Energy and Transportation’s charging network, outlined in the memorandum of understanding, will focus on filling gaps in rural, disadvantaged, and hard-to-reach locations, according to a press release.
“They arrived in an electric Ford Mustang Mach-E with Buttigieg behind the wheel,” reports PlugInSites.com. “Secretary Granholm quipped that the Transportation Secretary is an excellent driver and that the ride over was smooth and quiet because they were in an all-electric car which is part of the Federal fleet.”
RS Automotive, located at 7224 Carroll Ave. in Takoma Park, was the first station in the country to convert its gas pumps to electric vehicle charging stations.
“We are embarking on a transformative path to modernize the way we get to around in this country, making sure all Americans have the option to choose electric vehicles and spend less at the pump while making our air healthier,” said Secretary Granholm in a statement. “Our two agencies will work together to deliver on President Biden’s historic investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, starting today with a joint project to build hundreds of thousands of electric vehicle charging stations, to tackle the climate crisis and create manufacturing and construction jobs at the same time.”
“Transportation is responsible for the most greenhouse gas emissions of any sector in our economy – so it can and must be a big part of the solution to the climate crisis,” said Secretary Buttigieg. “With this announcement by DOT and DOE, we are taking a big step forward on climate by helping make the benefits of EVs more accessible for all Americans.”
“In response to the lack of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in traditionally underserved communities, the Joint Office will provide technical assistance and analytical support to states as they develop electric vehicle charging plans to ensure this investment contributes to the Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which requires delivering at least 40% of the benefits from Federal climate and clean energy investments to underserved communities. To grow the clean transportation workforce and accelerate the construction of charging stations across the country, the Office will support career training and certification programs to strengthen career pathways for Americans and create good-paying jobs that will lead the transition to cleaner, more sustainable future,” said the DOT in a press release.
Photo: “RS Automotive” by MDGovpics is licensed under CC BY 2.0