Santa Fe, NM-In an exciting announcement today at the New Mexico State Capitol, US Federal Highway Administrator, Shailen Bhatt declared the initial wave of grants under the Federal Highway Administration’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant (CFI) Program, generously funded through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These grants will facilitate the first step in bridging gaps within the national charging and alternative-fueling network, with a specific emphasis on amplifying EV charging accessibility in rural and underprivileged communities.
Santa Fe County proudly announces its selection as a grant recipient of the CFI program, an award of approximately $3.3M which will make a significant stride in the County's commitment to sustainable transportation. This strategic investment will result in the expansion of the county's EV charging network, featuring 33 chargers across 13 sites, encompassing DC fast chargers and level 2 charging stations.
Upon completion, the new EV charging infrastructure will play a pivotal role in alleviating range anxiety for both residents and visitors. Moreover, several EV charging installations are designed to accommodate the transition to EV fleet vehicles by Santa Fe County, contributing significantly to emissions reduction in the transportation sector as more individuals embrace EVs.
Jacqueline Beam, Santa Fe County’s Sustainability Manager, underscores the profound benefits of the grant, stating, "With nearly half of the County’s greenhouse gas emissions stemming from transportation, this project will provide the funding necessary to initiate a substantial reduction in these pollutants. The location placement of EV Charging Stations was strategically chosen to increase access for rural communities, aligning with our commitment to maintaining the pristine beauty and air quality of Santa Fe County. This is an exciting tangible addition, in partnership with the DOT, to connect the dots in the crucial sustainability work of which we all are a part.”
The County's plan includes expanding EV charging stations at various key locations, including senior centers, community centers, and public facilities, with sites in various stages of development. Santa Fe County acknowledges the dedicated efforts of its Sustainability, Community Development, Growth Management, County Manager’s Office, and Public Works staff, particularly Taylor Hohensee, who spearheaded the research and project management of this grant.
Special recognition is extended to Paul Sittig (NCNMEDD), Lori Kinder (Grant Writer), and Adrian Witte (Tool Design), integral members of the application team whose contributions have played a crucial role in securing this grant.
"Santa Fe County is committed to reducing emissions to net zero by 2050 in accordance with the Paris Agreement. We are thankful for the federal, state, and local partnership that this grant represents. I would also like to especially thank Santa Fe County staff, who worked diligently on the grant application and who will administer this funding. We can accomplish more when everyone is pulling in the same direction." Commissioner Camilla Bustamante enthusiastically stated as she received the award on behalf of Santa Fe County.
Santa Fe County is poised to emerge as a more sustainable community, thanks to the collaborative efforts of its dedicated team and strategic partners.
To stay informed about sustainable travel, please visit: Santa Fe County Sustainability
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