Wisconsin has lagged behind neighboring states in adding electric vehicle charging stations, but the Badger State is about to take a big leap forward in accessing federal funds to boost its network.

The Legislature has sent Gov. Tony Evers a bill allowing private businesses to sell the electricity by hosting units on their properties, rather than only utilities having the option. Wisconsin can now leverage $78 million from a key federal program.

Beata Wierzba, government affairs director for the group RENEW Wisconsin, said the stations will no longer be clustered in certain areas, hopefully reducing "range anxiety" in the EV movement.

"Currently, you have a few charging companies like Tesla and so on that have charging stations," Wierzba acknowledged. "But they will put them where the market is to support them, not necessarily where people want to go."

She hoped it will spur more EV adoption and in the long run, reduce transportation emissions. The federal funds cover up to 80% of costs associated with installing the units. According to industry tracking originations, Wisconsin has about 900 charging stations, putting it behind Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois.

Wierzba observed opening the door to federal aid means drivers might see more "fast charging" options during longer trips and they could access them at familiar sites.

"It could be a gas station, it could be a grocery store, or a restaurant," Wierzba outlined.

State transportation officials have been mapping out a broader network strategy, and the federal component involves adding charging stations every 50 miles along highways. Evers is expected to sign the bill.


get more stories like this via email

A new report finds New York City environmental-justice communities face worsening air quality.

It's part of the Community Heat and Air Mapping Project for Environmental Justice. Hunts Point in the Bronx has the highest particulate matter exposure, exceeding national health standards.

Victoria Sanders, climate and health program manager, New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, said congestion pricing could have helped, but Gov. Kathy Hochul indefinitely paused the program. Sanders said the program would have helped with pollution mitigation.

"I believe there was a center that was planned in the Bronx for asthma and now, when that's in jeopardy, that funding is not there anymore, and so the benefits that were supposed to come from that new source of funding are likely to be lost if we can't make sure that happens," she said.

The MTA was prepared to spend $130 million on mitigation for that borough. But an environmental assessment shows congestion pricing would have increased pollution in the outer boroughs and New Jersey. The Bronx would have seen increased soot from the more than 700 trucks entering the borough daily.

The report recommends renewable energy investments and targeted policies to improve air quality caused by pollution hot spots. It also suggests asking city and state lawmakers to introduce legislation reducing hazardous air quality.

While air pollution declined in parts of the city over time, Sanders noted environmental justice communities haven't gotten a break. However, she said there are historic challenges to addressing environmental justice communities.

"Over the years, the built infrastructure has been put in into those communities where there is a lot of highly polluting businesses. There's waste-transfer stations, there's power plants, there's dense e-commerce truck routes and things like that," she explained.

Sanders added that well-funded owners of these businesses push back on policies and politicians making changes. The report also said lacking vegetation increases heat in neighborhoods, which affects nearby residential areas. City and state officials can use targeted investments for heat-mitigation efforts.


get more stories like this via email

Danskammer Energy is no longer seeking an expansion of its Newburgh plant.

The original plan called for expanding the company's "peaker plant" meant to handle times of peak electricity, to a baseload plant providing power throughout the year.

New York state's Department of Environmental Conservation denied the air permits and the project faced legal setbacks. Residents and environmental groups overwhelmingly opposed the plant at several public meetings.

Stephen Ballentine, director of environmental advocacy, government relations and public policy for the nonprofit Scenic Hudson, said residents would have faced severe effects.

"It would have been terrible for the people who live in the community around Danskammer, who would have had to deal with not just increased climate emissions," Ballentine pointed out. "But more directly impactful to them, they would have had to deal with particulate pollution that caused major public health problems."

The plant would have generated almost 2 million tons of carbon yearly and added pollution for the Hudson Valley. Ballentine argued the plant would likely become a stranded asset if it kept operating after 2040 because of the goals outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which established New York's climate goals.

States such as Virginia have gas-powered plants barrel ahead despite established climate goals. Ballentine stressed Danskammer's plant sets a precedent for other companies bringing similar projects forward.

"If a company tries to build a fossil-fuel generation power plant, DEC is going to consider whether or not that plant complies with the climate goals in the state's climate act," Ballentine pointed out. "It will reject applications when they are inconsistent with those goals."

While it is uncertain if the plant was needed for energy generation, he feels renewable energy is New York's only path forward. Scenic Hudson and PennPraxis at the University of Pennsylvania's Weitzman School of Design collaborated to show how renewable alternatives such as battery storage could work better than a fossil fuel plant.


get more stories like this via email

From passenger cars to school buses, the transportation sector is steadily ramping up its push for all-electric vehicles. In the future, ambulances might play a bigger role in this transition.

A Minnesota-based company is working with various partners in showcasing a new, all-electric ambulance in hopes of seeing it used by first responders around the country.

MacQueen Emergency is an Emergency Medical Services vehicle dealer, and the company's Director of Business Development Kevin Devoy said the new model would reduce tailpipe emissions by 80% in the areas it drives through.

"It's based on the difference between what you're emitting with a diesel motor," said Devoy, "versus running the electric."

The figure comes from internal testing by the manufacturer - the Demers company.

Devoy said having this model in an EMS fleet can help reduce maintenance costs as well.

But he acknowledged that upfront expenses might be hard for municipalities and entities that make these purchases. A lack of charging infrastructure in specific areas is seen as another hurdle.

As these partners navigate early headwinds, Devoy indicated that they're optimistic they'll convince enough people about the benefits of eclectic ambulances.

In further pointing out the environmental impacts, he said having zero emissions will be helpful because these engines are running for long periods of time, even when the vehicle isn't moving.

"An ambulance tends to idle a lot," said Devoy, "because of the need to be on scene, or at the hospital."

Those behind this new model - labeled as Demers eFX electric ambulance - held a public showing in St. Paul last week before moving on to other states.

St. Paul recently captured attention for securing Minnesota's first electric fire truck.




get more stories like this via email