October 2023 Edition

Green Jobs Fair

Washington DC

2000 14th Street, NW

Washington, DC

November 8, 2023, 10 AM - 1 PM

Job Seekers and Employers are welcome!

For more information or to register, click here.

Workshop US Clean Mobility by 2035 - ICWS North American Chapter

Join us on November 7th, 2023, at 10:30 AM (EDT) for a workshop at Pepco Edison Place Gallery in Washington, DC, to discuss the progress of clean mobility in the US. Industry experts, policymakers, researchers, and enthusiasts will collaborate on shaping the future of transportation through interactive sessions, panel discussions, and hands-on activities. Topics such as electric vehicles, school transportation, clean fuels, charging infrastructure, and policy frameworks will be explored.

Whether you're a professional, student, or interested in clean mobility's future, this workshop connects you with like-minded individuals to advance sustainable transportation in the US.

Left to right: 1) Afza Avijeh, 2) Zynobia Pickett and 3) Cooper Colby

Thinking about installing workplace charging? Greater Washington Region Clean Cities has joined Clean Cities coalitions across the country in the Equitable Mobility Powering Opportunities for Workplace Electrification Readiness 

(EMPOWER) program. It’s the first and only equity-focused, nationwide workplace charging program in the United States.

The Clean Cities coalitions will reach out to around 2,000 workplaces with the goal of bringing 650 workplaces onboard with EMPOWER and installing 3,500 electric vehicle supply (EVSE) ports. In addition to providing a much needed benefit for employees, installing workplace charging will help meet the Washington, DC targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 85% and reducing oil usage by 95%.

One of EMPOWER’s specific goals aims to ensure that of the EVSEs installed at workplaces, 40% will be installed at workplaces with historically underserved demographics. This includes workplaces owned by women or minorities, workplaces with majority-minority workforces, or with employees who live in areas which are rural, formerly redlined, low-income, or have low air quality. 

Contact Dianne Little at [email protected] to learn more.

Prince George's County Maryland Fleet Management Division has entered into an agreement with the Maryland Soybean Board to pilot the use of Soy Biobased Tires in selected sizes and applications within the County’s vehicle fleet. The Soy Biobased Tires being tested by Fleet are Goodyear Assurance tires constructed using 60% soybean oil in place of 100% petroleum-based oil. These tires are based on award-winning technology and are environmentally friendly yet provide very similar operating and performance characteristics to traditional petroleum tires. Under the terms of the agreement, Fleet is converting four popular tire sizes and tread patterns over to soy biobased options and will do so for one year. In exchange, the Maryland Soybean Board will reimburse Fleet for the incremental cost difference for all soy biobased tires purchased over the course of the year up to $ 8,000. At the successful conclusion of the pilot, Fleet will make the transition to soy biobased permanent and will assume the additional cost going forward while exploring the possible expansion of soy biobased tires to other sizes and applications.

This partnership with the Maryland Soybean Board will ensure that Fleet continues to reduce the impact of fossil fuels wherever possible within its operation while also supporting local and state farmers. Fleet is committee to “greening” fleet operations in every way possible and is proud to be “Rolling With Soy.”

Today, the Biden-Harris administration has opened applications for the Electric Vehicle (EV) Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator program, which will provide up to $100 million in federal funding to repair and replace non-operational EV charging infrastructure.

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program stipulates a 10% set-aside for grants to states and localities that require additional assistance to strategically deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The first round of funding focuses on improving the reliability of the current network by repairing or replacing existing EV charging infrastructure. 

The EV Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator program investments will: 

· Complement hundreds of billions in private sector investment

· Support good paying jobs across the country installing, maintaining, and repairing EV infrastructure

· Make our current charging network more reliable—a critical component of the Biden-Harris administration’s comprehensive approach to build a convenient, affordable, reliable, equitable, and Made-in-America national EV charging network. 

Eligible applicants and projects for the EV Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator are outlined in a Notice of Funding Opportunity published today. Applications are due by Nov. 13, 2023. 

Read the Joint Office announcement for more information.

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This week, DOT  released  a  Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)  for up to $22 million in grants to provide technical assistance, and a Call for Letters of Interest from communities seeking support through the  Thriving Communities Program (TCP) . DOT launched the program in 2022 to prepare state, local, tribal and territorial governments to better access historic levels of federal funding for projects in their communities. Earlier this year, DOT  announced  that four capacity-builder teams were awarded a combined $21.15 million to provide technical assistance to 64 communities around the US The TCP provides intensive technical assistance to under-resourced and disadvantaged communities to help them identify, develop, and deliver transportation and community revitalization opportunities. There is no cost for communities to receive support through the program. For the FY 2023 program, DOT has added a Thriving Communities Regional Pilot Program set-aside to which states, tribes, and regional planning organizations can apply. This set-aside will allow pilot program participants to provide TCP activities at a state or regional scale to communities within their jurisdictions. This year, DOT anticipates funding at least four pilots at approximately $1 million each. 

The  Call for Letters of Interest  (LOI) from communities seeking support from the program is open until November 15, while the NOFO for Capacity-Builders is open until November 28. The program will provide funding for organizations to provide technical assistance, planning and capacity -building support to containers under the TCP. Capacity-builders are encouraged to apply as a team and may include non-profits, philanthropic organizations, and other qualified technical assistance providers including academic and for-profit organizations. DOT's technical assistance is part of the  Federal Interagency Thriving Communities Network , an interagency initiative among the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Energy, Commerce, and Agriculture, as well as the General Services Administration (GSA), FEMA, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). An overview webinar that will introduce potential applicants to opportunities to apply to participate in the FY 2023 Thriving Communities Program will be held on September 15, 2023, from 12:30 – 1:30 pm eastern time. Register here to attend the webinar . 

Department of Energy Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Consumer Electronics Battery Recycling, Reprocessing, and Battery Collection

This Funding Opportunity Announcement will provide funding to support the recycling of consumer electronics batteries and battery-containing devices to help build a robust domestic critical material supply chain for EV batteries in the United States. The program will accomplish this by 1) Increasing participation by consumers in recycling programs; 2) Improving the economics of consumer battery recycling to create a market for recycling; and 3) Increasing the number of these programs, to assist in the establishment or enhancement of state consumer electronics battery collection, recycling, and reprocessing programs and to establish collection points at retailers.

The deadline is November 29, 2023.

It has been a big week for your U.S. Department of Transportation team as we joined colleagues from the White House and across the Administration for a series of stakeholder convenings and discussions designed to help more communities access the historic funding available through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and more. On Wednesday, senior DOT leaders were proud to help bring together thought leaders, private sector companies, community partners, and philanthropic organizations for an in-depth discussion of technical assistance resources and how we leverage expertise inside and outside government to make the most of these once-in-a-generation investments. 

Secretary Buttigieg kicked off the week in South Dakota, where he visited with first responders on September 11th, heard from tribal leaders their unique transportation concerns, and marked National Truck Driver Appreciation Week with truck drivers and industry leaders. Elsewhere across the Department, we announced millions of dollars in new funding to increase truck parking, ensure aviation safety and support air traffic controllers, and repair and replace existing electric vehicle chargers nationally. 

Sharing below a roundup of the latest activities and opportunities to engage with DOT and the Biden Administration. Thanks as always for your interest – if you know others who would like to receive these updates, please direct them to sign up here. 

Secretary Buttigieg Travels to South Dakota,

Highlights Investments in Truck Parking   

This week, Secretary Pete Buttigieg traveled to South Dakota where he highlighted federal investments in truck parking – a critical need for truck driver safety and efficient supply chains. On Monday, the Secretary toured the Chamberlain Municipal Airport, which received an $855,000 grant from the FAA’s Airport Terminals Program to make improvements similar to changes taking place at many rural airports across the country. Also on Monday, Secretary Buttigieg met with leaders from the nine Sioux Tribes of South Dakota and the Great Plains Tribal Chairman Association in Oacoma, SD, and with first responders in Sioux Falls to discuss transportation needs and investments from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). 

On Tuesday, in recognition of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, Secretary Buttigieg and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator Robin Hutcheson spoke with truck drivers and trucking industry leaders, including American Trucking Associations (ATA) President Chris Spears and Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) CEO Todd Spencer in Salem, SD at the I-90 Reconstruction in McCook and Minnehaha Counties project. Additional truck parking will be added thanks in part to a $61.6 million USDOT grant from the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects (INFRA) program to the South Dakota Department of Transportation. The Secretary heard concerns about trucker safety and truck parking and at a news conference, he highlighted investments being made to improve 1-90, ensure trucker safety, and strengthen supply chains.   

FMCSA Announces More Than $80 Million in Grants for

Highway Safety and Truck Parking 

This week, FMCSA announced more than $80 million in grant awards from the BIL to help reduce the frequency and severity of commercial motor vehicle crashes on our nation’s roadways and support truck drivers by expanding access to truck parking, investing in critical technology, improving safety in work zones, rural areas and high crash corridors, and more. Grant recipients include states, local governments, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions across the country. The High Priority (HP) grants include a 65 percent increase in funding for truck parking projects over last year and enhance critical efforts to support truck drivers and improve safety. In FY 2022, FMCSA awarded more than $81 million through the HP grant program, including $61 million to 61 state organizations, $6.7 million to eight local jurisdictions, and $13.1 million to 17 additional entities, including 13 universities. FMCSA encourages applicants to consider how proposed projects affect or support racial equity and underserved communities in the delivery of the program and the outputs and outcomes of the projects in support of Executive Order 13985. Learn more about FMCSA’s commitment to equity in administering grant funding. Please visit FMCSA’s grant program page for additional information on the discretionary application announcement, review, and approval process. 

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces New Actions and

Investments to Ensure Aviation Safety 

U.S. airspace is the safest in the world because of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s unwavering focus on the highest standards, and its commitment to stay vigilant and address potential risks. Following President Biden’s nomination of Michael G. Whitaker to lead the FAA last week, the Administration announced new actions and investments to maintain and improve aviation safety, building on the $25 billion in investments in airport infrastructure from the Administration’s Investing In America agenda. Last Friday, the White House announced $26 million in new funding to improve U.S. aviation safety. The FAA will spend $10 million to improve controller situational awareness and reduce runway close calls by deploying surface surveillance systems to additional airports; $8 million to expand its terminal automation system to prevent incorrect runway landings that can result in close calls; and $8 million to deploy a runway incursion memory aid device used by controllers for occupied and closed runways at 72 additional airports. The device provides alerts to remind controllers to check runways before issuing clearances. These initiatives will further enhance safety while fostering new technology and expanding the economic benefits of American aviation.  

Since Day 1, the Administration has acted to maintain and improve aviation safety, including critical investments, such as:  

·         $15 billion through the BIL to upgrade airport infrastructure, including runway and taxiway safety enhancement projects and $5 billion to upgrade FAA-owned airport traffic control towers 

·         $121 million for airports to reduce runway risk, including projects to reconfigure taxiways, install new lighting systems, and provide more flexibility on the airfield 

·         Hiring 1,500 air traffic controllers to provide needed capacity nationwide 

Please see the White House Fact Sheet for additional details on the many steps the FAA and aviation professionals are taking to improve aviation safety. 

FHWA Making $100 Million Available to Improve EV Charger Reliability 

Also on Wednesday, FHWA posted the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the new Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator, which will provide up to $100 million in federal funding to repair and replace existing but non-operational electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. These targeted investments will complement hundreds of billions in private sector investment, support good-paying jobs across the country installing, maintaining, and repairing EV infrastructure, and make our current charging network more reliable. Reliability is a critical component to the Administration’s comprehensive approach to building a convenient, affordable, reliable, equitable, and Made-in-America national EV charging network. For each year of Fiscal Years (FYs) 2022-2026, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program – a $5 billion program created by the BIL and administered by FHWA to help states build out EV charging sites – stipulates a 10 percent set-aside for grants to states and localities that require additional assistance to strategically deploy EV charging infrastructure. 

The first round of funding will focus on improving the reliability of the current network by repairing or replacing existing EV charging infrastructure at the same time the Administration is making larger-scale investments to deploy new charging stations. Based on initial estimates of non-operational chargers, FHWA anticipates that the available $100 million in funding will likely cover the repair or replacement costs of all eligible projects, which will be awarded through a streamlined application process. This includes both publicly and privately owned chargers – so long as they are available to the public without restriction. The program is informed by the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) Station Locator, which identifies offline stations as temporarily unavailable. A charger can be identified as temporarily unavailable for several reasons, ranging from routine maintenance to power issues. On Monday, the AFDC indicated that 4.1 percent of the 151,506 public charging ports nationwide were temporarily unavailable. Eligible applicants and projects for the EV Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator are outlined in the NOFO. Applications are due by November 13, 2023. 

President Biden Amends Hawaii Disaster Declaration, Makes More Recovery Resources Available  

Last Friday, President Biden made additional disaster assistance available to the state of Hawaii by authorizing an increase in the level of federal funding for public assistance projects undertaken in the state as a result of wildfires that began on August 8, 2023. Under the President’s order, the federal share for public assistance has been increased to 90 percent of total eligible costs, except assistance previously approved at 100 percent. The Administration is continuing its all-of-government approach to supporting the people of Maui after the devastating wildfires that ravaged the town of Lahaina and nearby areas. 

FAA Extends Remote ID Enforcement Date Six Months 

The FAA announced this week that drone pilots who are unable to comply with the broadcast requirement of the Remote ID Rule will now have until March 16, 2024, to equip their aircraft. After that date, operators could face fines and suspension or revocation of pilot certificates. In making this decision, the FAA recognizes the unanticipated issues that some operators are experiencing finding some remote identification broadcast modules. Drone pilots can meet this deadline by purchasing a standard Remote ID equipped drone from a manufacturer or purchasing a Remote ID broadcast module which can be affixed to existing drones that do not have Remote ID equipment. Remote ID acts like a digital license plate and will help the FAA, law enforcement, and other federal agencies find the control station when a drone appears to be flying in an unsafe manner or where it is not allowed to fly. Learn more here. 

FRA Issues Safety Bulletin After Employee Suffers Amputation 

On September 11, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) posted Safety Bulletin 2023-06 – Employee Amputation – Flat Switching, Kicking Operations and Securement, to ensure the railroad industry is aware of a recent switching incident that tragically resulted in the amputation of a crew member’s leg. Although FRA’s investigation into this incident is ongoing, the agency reminds railroads of the importance of ensuring switching operations are conducted safely. 

FRA Issues Safety Advisory on High-Impact Wheels Causing

Damage to Rails and Track 

Earlier this week, the FRA also issued Safety Advisory 2023-04 – High-Impact Wheels Causing Damage to Rails and Track, which recommends railroads utilize Wheel Impact Load Detectors (WILDs) to properly identify and replace high-impact railcar wheels that could cause significant damage to rails and supporting track structures. FRA’s preliminary investigation of the February 21, 2023 train derailment in Gothenburg, Nebraska indicates that high-impact wheels damaged the rail the train was operating over and caused the derailment. Current industry practices for using WILDs to identify and replace high-impact wheels could help prevent such incidents in the future. 

FAA Closes SpaceX Starship Mishap Investigation 

The FAA announced on September 8 that it has closed its investigation of the SpaceX Starship Super Heavy mishap. The final report cites multiple root causes of the April 20, 2023 mishap and lists 63 corrective actions SpaceX must take to prevent reoccurrence. Corrective actions include redesigns of vehicle hardware to prevent leaks and fires, redesign of the launch pad to increase its robustness, incorporation of additional reviews in the design process, additional analysis and testing of safety critical systems and components, including the Autonomous Flight Safety System, and the application of additional change control practices. SpaceX must implement all corrective actions that impact public safety and apply for and receive a license modification from the FAA that addresses all safety, environmental and other applicable regulatory requirements prior to the next Starship launch.  Learn more about how the FAA enforces and monitors commercial space transportation. 

New Federal EV Tax Credits

The IRS has issued new guidance on electric vehicle (EV) tax credits for 2023.

Manufacturers and Models for New Qualified Clean Vehicles Purchased in 2023 or After

If you bought and placed in service a new qualified plug-in electric vehicle (EV) or fuel cell vehicle (FCV) on January 1, 2023 or later and meet certain income limitations, you may be eligible for a clean vehicle tax credit up to $7,500.

Credits for New Clean Vehicles Purchased in 2023 or After

If you buy a new plug-in electric vehicle (EV) or fuel cell vehicle (FCV) in 2023 or after, you may qualify for a clean vehicle tax credit. Find out if you qualify.

New Alternative Fuels Tax Credits and Grants

A dozen new tax credits and grants have been released for alternative fuels by the Federal government and are available online at the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center. Tax credits for biofuels, electric vehicles and related infrastructure are included. Grants include port electrification programs under the EPA.

Activists, Fighting Environmental Racism, Call For ‘Clean Air Revolution’ In Black Communities

EV Charging Site Selection Checklist

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation published a public EV charging equipment site selection checklist. This new resource offers high-level steps for selecting an EV charging station site, as well as supplemental resources that can help during the EV charging site selection process.