Every Wednesday, Stateside Associates will feature energy-related legislative, regulatory, and federal programs impacting state and local public policies and proceedings, including upcoming Groups events, activities, and conversations in This Week in Energy.
For more information on our Energy Practice, please contact Taylor Beis.
LEGISLATIVE, REGULATORY and LOCAL UPDATES
LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS
There are no legislative highlights this week.
REGULATORY HIGHLIGHTS
CALIFORNIA
The Energy Commission will hold a workshop on July 30 regarding energy demand forecast methodology updates.
Contact: Nick Zuppas
MARYLAND
The Department of Environment will accept comments until July 25 on proposed Maryland Building Energy Performance Standards.
Contact: Amy Cole
NEW YORK
The Department of Public Service staff will convene a meeting of the Electric Vehicle Technical Standards Working Group on July 30.
Contact: Jose Cordero
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS
For more information regarding the below local highlights, please contact Stephanie Rojo, Director of Local Services.
LOUISIANA
The New Orleans Climate Change and Sustainability Committee will meet on July 24 to consider approval of a resolution establishing a procedural schedule to address proposed process changes related to the city's community solar program. The Committee will also consider approval of a resolution establishing a comment period related to the implementation of idle fees on ENO-operated electric vehicle charging stations.
TEXAS
The Austin Audit and Finance Committee met on July 23 to discuss a comprehensive climate implementation program and comprehensive bond package program for a general obligation bond election to occur no later than November 2026, including direction regarding the formation of a Bond Election Advisory Task Force. Video from the meeting is available here.
INFRASTRUCTURE HIGHLIGHTS
The section below provides snippets of weekly updates on infrastructure and infrastructure funding policy, programs, and deployment updates related to clean transportation. For more information on our Infrastructure Funding Services, including our first-class grants, awards, and incentives monitoring database, click here.
CLEAN TRANSPORTATION: ELECTRIC VEHICLES & CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE
ALABAMA
On July 1, Governor Kay Ivey (R) announced the award of 14 grants totaling $11.2 million to boost electric vehicle charging availability along Alabama's interstates. Thirteen grants will fund new charging stations at various locations across the state, while $2.4 million will go to Bevill State Community College for EV charger installation and maintenance training. This funding is part of a $79 million allocation from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program.
FEDERAL
On July 1, the General Services Administration announced a request for public input on developing a strategic plan for Federal Electric Vehicle Fleet Battery Management. This initiative, mandated by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, seeks insights from various sectors to identify emerging trends and best practices in EV battery management. The GSA aims to help federal agencies maximize the potential benefits of EV technology. Comments are due by July 22.
WASHINGTON
Washington state received nearly $90 million in federal infrastructure funding on July 3, as part of the Biden Administration's RAISE program. The funds will support eight projects across the state, including $17 million for Kitsap Transit to upgrade its transportation hub and transition to electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses. This funding, part of a larger $1.8 billion national distribution, will help Kitsap Transit achieve its goal of a fully electrified fleet by 2050 and expand its capacity with double-decker buses.
