February 2024 Edition

Antoine M. Thompson

CEO/Executive Director

GWRCCC

A Message from the

CEO/Executive Director

I am beyond excited to share with you that January was a truly awesome month for GWRCCC. We were on 7 different winning proposals for federal grants from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Vehicle Technology Deployment and the U.S. Joint Office for Energy and Transportation. These projects will focus on EV charging reliability, EV charging deployment, electric school buses and much more. Remember to team up with GWRCCC when your organization is applying for local, state and federal grants. 


In January, GWRCCC was active at the DC Auto Show where we partnered with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to host two panels on EV charging at the Washington Auto Show for Public Policy Day. We also partnered with VetsFleet on our 2nd annual reception during Fed Fleet Day!  


We would like to congratulate Fairfax County Public Schools and Montgomery County Public Schools on winning over $20 million from the EPA Clean School Bus Program. Another round of funding is available for applications until February 14. Make sure your school district takes advantage of this great opportunity to transform your fleet .  


While we are proud of our work so far, we know there is more work to ensure transformative change in the use of alternative fuels that save more lives and create good paying jobs for all. Become a GWRCCC member or renew your membership today to support our work.


Finally, join us on February 21st for the GWRCCC Opening Reception at the PEPCO Edison Gallery. Happy Black History Month.  

 

Sincerely,


Antoine M. Thompson

CEO/Executive Director



GWRCCC's event schedule is in full swing! If you are interested in supporting our events, learn more by clicking on the 2024 Sponsorship Package.


View the 2024 Events Calendar here.


Questions? Call the GWRCCC office at (2020 671-1580 or email Laurel Mack-Wilson, Marketing and Outreach Coordinator, [email protected]


GWRCCC in the Community

TRB Black and Latino in Transportation Happy Hour


Thank you to EV Noire for hosting the TRB Black and Latino in Transportation Happy Hour on January 10.

GWRCCC Attends

DC Auto Show - 2024


GWRCCC attended the DC Auto Show in January and Antoine M. Thompson hosted a Public Policy Day panel on Regional Challenges & Opportunities for EV Charging Implementation sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Baltimore City Schools Receives EPA Funding for 25 Electric School Buses


Congratulations to Baltimore City Schools,

K. Neal Truck and Bus and Highland!


Fleet Resources


Antoine M. Thompson gave insights on key issues of diversity on a panel on

E-Mobility Workforce and Economic Inclusion at the NEMDEI conference.

Watch the video here.

GWRCCC Fleet Coaching


GWRCCC is offering 30 minutes of coaching for a limited number of fleets each month. Do you need to train your workforce on emission reducing practices or transitioning to a clean energy fleet? We can help you!


For more information, contact the GWRCCC office at (202) 671-1580.

GWRCCC EVENTS

Click the flyer to register

GWRCCC Monthly Stakeholders' Meeting - February


February 8

10 - 11 PM

Zoom

GWRCCC Opening Reception


February 21, 6 - 8 PM

Pepco Edison Place Gallery

702 8th St NW

Washington, DC 20068


Green Procurement Working Group


February 21

11 AM - 12 PM

Zoom


Accelerating Access to

EV Charging and Biodiesel at Local Fueling Stations


February 26, 2-3:30 PM

Dorothy I. Height/Benning Road Library 

Meeting Room 2

3935 Benning Rd NE

Washington, DC 20019


Black History Makers in Clean Energy & Transportation


February 28

2 - 3:30 PM

Zoom

Public EV Charging with MAEP Webinar 


February 28

11 AM - 12 PM

Zoom


TEP Energy Independence Summit 2024


February 11 - 14, 2024

Washington, D.C.



Central Maryland HBCU

Climate Career Expo


March 6

12 - 3 PM

Bowie State University

Ron Flowers Annual Scholarship Golf Outing


Thursday, June 27, 2024

Oak Creek Golf Course, Upper Marlboro, MD


View the Sponsorship Package

Thinking about installing workplace charging?

Sign the EMPOWER Pledge and receive $250!


By signing the EMPOWER Program pledge, your business or organization pledges to try to provide resources and guidance to ensure EV charging is accessible to all communities in the DC, Maryland, Virginia region. Join us in promoting sustainability for employees in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region.


We don’t need project specifics, just a commitment; by signing, you will try to install at least one EV charging station in the future. Once you sign the pledge, we will give you $250 and access to resources to help you through the workplace charging installation process.


Contact Durrell Jones at [email protected], Darryl Barnes at [email protected] or call the office at (202) 671-1580 with questions.

Sign the Pledge

EPA Clean School Bus Program Rebates

With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA’s Clean School Bus (CSB) Program provides $5 billion over five years (FY 2022-2026) to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models. Under the Program's multiple grant and rebate funding opportunities to date, the EPA has awarded almost $2 billion to fund approximately 5,000 school bus replacements at over 600 schools.


In Fall 2023, EPA opened the 2023 CSB Rebates program; EPA expects to award at least $500 million

in funding under the 2023 rebate program. The application is only two pages and applications are

due by 4 PM ET on February 14, 2024.

Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility (ICAM)

FTA is accepting applications for approximately $4.7 million in competitive grant funding to projects that improve access to vital transportation services for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals through the Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility (ICAM) pilot program, which supports projects that improve transportation coordination and enhance mobility, including access to non-emergency medical transportation. Applications will be evaluated based on criteria outlined in the NOFO. Applications are due February 13, 2024.

U.S. Department of Energy Announces $131 Million to Boost America's Battery Supply Chain and Supercharge Electric Vehicle Innovation

Securing the domestic battery supply chain and developing innovative solutions to electrify the transportation sector are crucial steps in achieving a clean energy future. That’s why DOE announced more than $131 million for projects to advance research and development in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and charging systems, including a new consortium to address critical priorities for the next phase of wide scale EV commercialization. (Energy.gov)

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $46 Million to Enhance EV Charging Reliability and Workforce Development

The number of EVs on America’s roads has more than quadrupled since President Biden took office. The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation will continue that momentum as it funds 30 new projects to boost EV charging performance, resiliency, and reliability. Read more about how these projects will support equitable access to clean transportation solutions and grow the clean energy workforce. (Energy.gov)

Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE)

DOT is offering $1.5 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program for FY2024. Information on How to Apply for RAISE Grants is available on the RAISE website. The NOFO is available here and the deadline for applications is 11:59 PM EST on February 28, 2024. Selections will be announced no later than June 27, 2024. Find upcoming RAISE webinars, including a webinar on February 1 on "What Happens After Being Selected for Award?", and view recordings of past webinars at FY 2024 RAISE Webinar Series.

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.

Alternative Fuels Tax Credits and Grants


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.

More Information

Preparing to apply for DOT funding in 2024?


Dozens of discretionary grant funding opportunities provided through the BIL will be made available over the next twelve months from virtually every operating administration at DOT. To help your organization prepare for the coming year, bookmark DOT’s Calendar of Key Notices of Funding Opportunitiessee how prepared you may be as an applicant by working through our Grant Application Checklist; and check out other resources available on the DOT Navigator along with more detailed information available on each program’s specific webpage. If your organization unsuccessfully submitted an application in FY 2023, look to see if you can still request a debrief from the DOT program to learn more about your application’s strengths and weaknesses to help prepare a stronger application in the coming year.

Technical Assistance to Support Electric Vehicle Deployment


The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office), in partnership with FHWA, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), offers free technical assistance on the planning, deployment, operation, and maintenance of a national network of electric vehicle (EV) chargers, zero-emission fueling infrastructure, and zero-emission transit and school buses. Technical assistance is available to states, communities, tribal nations, school districts, and transit agencies.

Small Business Summit: Roadmap to HUBZone Success


Wednesday, February 21, 2024 from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. ET at DOT Headquarters in Washington, DC. This in-person inaugural event is open to all small businesses. The best practices learned during these sessions are geared towards helping small business owners boost their small business status and utilize the HUBZone certification in federal contracting and facilitate business matchmaking. Click here to register for the event

Biden-Harris Administration announced nearly $150 million in grants awarded to 24 recipients across 20 states


The Biden-Harris Administration announced nearly $150 million in grants awarded to 24 recipients across 20 states to improve existing electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.

Grant recipients will use the funds to repair or replace approximately 4,500 existing EV charging ports while bringing others up to code. Improving existing infrastructure is key to the Administration’s goal of achieving 500,000 EV chargers by 2030.

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation will support this effort by offering Technical Assistance to the many recipients of this funding. With EV sales quadrupling during President Biden’s tenure, the demand for reliable, efficient, safe, and convenient charging continues to grow, requiring chargers to work the first time, every time. This investment will only propel that goal forward. (Driveelectric.gov)

Biden Awards $623 Million in Grants to Build Out Electric Vehicle Charging Network


On January 11, FHWA announced $623 million in grants to help build out an EV charging network across the U.S., which will create American jobs and ensure more drivers can charge their electric vehicles where they live, work, and shop. This is a critical part of the Administration’s goal of building out a convenient, affordable, reliable and made-in-America national network of EV chargers, including at least 500,000 publicly available chargers by 2030, ensuring that EVs are made in America with American workers. These grants are made possible by the BIL’s competitive $2.5 billion Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program and will fund 47 EV charging and alternative-fueling infrastructure projects in 22 states and Puerto Rico, including construction of approximately 7,500 EV charging ports. The CFI program complements the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program to build the “backbone” of high-speed EV chargers along our nation’s highways. (US DOT Federal Highway Administration)


Becoming a GWRCCC Member has it’s perks!

For more information, go to the link below.

Become a Member

Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition

202-671-1580 | [email protected] | GWRCCC.org


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