State, local governments buying hundreds of new EVs

 

White House officials announced 48 national electric vehicle (EV) charging networks will be established on nearly 25,000 miles of highways in 35 states. State officials, utilities, automakers and EV charging companies have partnered on the initiative to jump-start charging station construction on designated corridors. Charging stations are expected to be constructed every 50 miles and Federal Highway Administration officials unveiled new roadside signs to help motorists find the stations.

 

"Alternative fuels and electric vehicles will play an integral part in the future of America's transportation system," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.  "We have a duty to help drivers identify routes that will help them refuel and recharge those vehicles and designating these corridors on our highways is a first step."

 

A list of Alternative Fuel Corridors, which includes those designated for EVs, can be found here.

 

Officials said one reason EVs have not been adopted in great numbers is the difficulty in locating charging stations. The number of EV charging stations in service has grown from about 500 in 2008 to more than 16,000. Recently, 24 state and local governments have agreed to buy hundreds of additional EVs for government fleets.

 

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U.S. Department of Agriculture officials announced $3.6 billion in loans to fund 82 electric projects in 31 states. The loans, provided through the Electric Program of the Rural Utilities Service, will be used for projects that upgrade infrastructure, create jobs and improve system operations for rural electric customers.

 

"For 80 years, rural electric utilities have provided reliable and affordable electricity to help rural communities increase productivity and build stronger economies," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "These loans will help them continue to do that. The utilities and cooperatives will use some of the money to finance energy efficiency projects, renewable fuel systems and smart grid technologies to increase our energy independence and improve rural electric infrastructure."

 

The funds will be used to build or improve 12,500 miles of transmission and distribution lines. About $216 million will be used for smart grid technologies, $35 million for renewable energy, $26 million for environmental improvements and nearly $1.8 million for energy efficiency. 

	Photo by Ben Schumin

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority officials plan to move forward with the $2.3 billion Green Line extension that has been delayed for about a year. The agency hired a new manager for the project that will add 4.7 miles to the Boston light rail line into Medford and Somerville. The authority and the state department of transportation are also renewing a request to the Federal Transit Administration for a $1 billion grant to subsidize the project.

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI), a public policy think tank, has released a new report in which it recommends the federal government create seven regional public-private partnership (P3/PPP) units. The P3 units would be used to educate the public sector and help agencies use P3s to effectively meet the nation's infrastructure needs. The report, Private Participation in US Infrastructure: The Role of PPP Units, details the country's infrastructure problems and ways in which P3s can be used to address those problems.

 

An Oklahoma public-private partnership (P3/PPP) has opened a $17 million interchange on Interstate 40 in El Reno, Okla. The P3, which includes the state department of transportation and an energy company, began building the Radio Road interchange about a year ago. The energy company paid the state's part of the construction costs and secured right-of-way to add the interchange. The project included reconstruction and widening of the Radio Road Bridge over I-40 and adding new ramps.

 

Westchester County, N.Y., officials announced plans to run Westchester County Airport as a public-private partnership (P3/PPP). The P3 agreement will be structured under a 40-year revenue-sharing lease with a management company. The county will receive an upfront payment of $130 million and a revenue sharing agreement is expected to provide an additional $111 million over the course of the lease. The management company will also build a new on-site wastewater treatment facility to capture deicing fluid and spend at least $30 million on capital improvements at the airport in the first five years.

 

Virginia officials announced a public-private partnership (P3/PPP) contract to build express toll lanes along Interstate 66 outside the Capital Beltway that they say will save $2.5 billion. The state selected a consortium to finance, design, maintain and operate the 22.5-mile toll expressway under a 50-year concession. Construction is expected to begin next year and be completed in 2022. The agreement includes a $500 million payment to the state and a commitment for $800 million in public transit improvements and $350 million in other transportation projects along the I-66 corridor.

 

The District of Columbia's Office of Public-Private Partnerships (DC OP3) officials announced the agency will accept unsolicited proposals during limited time periods each year to spur innovative solutions to the District's infrastructure needs. The next open proposal period will begin on Nov. 28 and close Jan. 26.  Click here for more information on proposal submissions. For a list of some of the projects currently being considered by the District, click here.