A report from Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA):
Earlier this month, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that $11M in funds from the State’s allocation of the federal Volkswagen Settlement will be used to expand electric transportation infrastructure across New York.
The program addresses goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) to increase access to clean energy and the benefits of sustainable infrastructure. This latest announcement will advance EV adoption and improve access to charging stations in disadvantaged communities in upstate and northern New York.
Charging station developers for the North Country region are invited to apply by February 18, 2021.
This is great news, coming on the heels of ON-RAMP, ANCA’s clean transportation summit, where we convened stakeholders and partners who are committed to advancing clean transportation efforts in the region.
In the far north of the state, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Environmental Division announced it will use Volkswagen Settlement funds to invest in electric vehicles and charging stations in the Akwesasne community. Kudos to the National Tribal Air Association for advocating for Indigenous communities to be included in the federal settlement, and to St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Air Quality Program Manager Angela Benedict, whose hard work resulted in $249K for the purchase of two new trucks and installation of four charging stations in 2019. The second settlement payment will go toward the purchase of low-emission vehicles for the community’s casino and transfer station.
This is such wonderful news ! I have been itching to get an electric vehicle to replace my diesel SUV ( one of the causes of the VW settlement !) but it is 307 miles from Ct. to Saranac Lake so no go. It was hard enough finding diesel fuel much less charging stations up in the TriLakes. Another step forward ! This and reduced road salt – can improved broadband be far behind ?
Charging stations are being installed all the time. For charging station locations, types (speed and plug style), and cost (if any), see https://www.plugshare.com/. Is there an app that gives you the location of diesel pumps?
I live in the Adirondacks and own an all electric vehicle. With a driving range of 280 miles, I mostly charge at home. However, there are plenty of options when I hit the road. A 300 mile trip to visit my mother only required a 30 minute stop at a rest area with a DC fast charger. Plenty of time to use the bathroom and stretch my legs!
Expect to see many more models of EVs and more EV charging stations in the next couple of years.
Man that diesel SUV must leave on helluva carbon footprint!
Please consider increased populations in communities that have summer residents with summer homes. This population is traveling more than not. Available “quick” charging stations will be most beneficial to ALL residents in these communities.
FULL TIME residents, living on fixed or low incomes, need opportunities to reduce the costs of limited transportation costs and EV vehicles and charging stations will help them. Thank you.
no people on low income buy electric cars. that is common sense. the people who have 2nd homes can afford to pay for these cars,not low income.your comment sounds like someone who wants everybody to pay for your own car choices.
Here’s a link to our commenting policy, Gabe. https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/commenting-policy
Some of your comments have been out of line lately, so I want to remind you to keep things civil so we can have discussion, not make personal attacks on anyone’s comments.
thanks!
Do they make those things in 4 wheel drive??
It is absolutely mind boggling that Jeep and Gabe assume that I am some privileged “Karen” who is dying to get a Tesla. Just look at the facts. GM is focusing all future innovations on electric cars, the price of massed produced electric cars is going down incrementally, Texas is littered with unused and rusting oil drilling rigs, the effects of using fossil fuels is incontrovertible. But keep up putting down other people since that seems to be your long suit !
Yes, well said, Joan. I feel the need to chime in here. There have been a lot of negative, personal attacks on this forum lately and I’m hoping the offenders can dial it back and keep things civil.
How is Calling out somebody who drives a Diesel Suv tell us how much better off we’d all be with an electric car a personal attack???
If you want, but can’t get, an all electric vehicle, consider a hybrid. I purchased a Toyota Venza in the hybrid model. It has all wheel drive, and my odometer is telling me that I’m getting between 40 and 50 miles to the gallon, depending on the length and type of my trip (mostly short around town). So far, I really like it.
Forgot to mention. No charging stations required. The batteries charge themselves when you apply the brakes.
my mother has a chevy hybrid works good, people should try to adapt to
the area not have the area adapt to them. imho.
Gabe , with all due respect . What point are you trying to make with that comment ?
hi eric, go with a hybrid. is it perfect no but go with what is good.
dont wait for the state to set up things to make your life easier.
imho. of course.
Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, it just changes from one form to another. This country cannot build/install enough wind towers/ solar panels/ hydro dams to supply every auto/ truck/ locomotive with electric engines. Especially when nobody wants it in their neighborhood.
So what? Do you have an alternative to electric transportation that doesn’t involve dwindling carbon-based resources? Gas/coal/oil are certainly going to be used well into the future, but we need to be investigating and investing in alternate sources in the meantime – including hydrogen cell technology and re-thinking nuclear. Carbon-based fuels are a dwindling resource, and a significant driver of climate change. We need to looking at ultimate replacements where feasible.
AOC says this ole world has only about 12 years or so left then ca put! At 2 bucks a gallon I think I’ll Stick with gasoline thank you
Someday we’ll happily own an electric vehicle (not a GM – they’re terrible) but I’ll miss being able to work on my own car. A lot of DIYers (and small garages) are going to disappear as the technology and interconnected components will be too complex for good ol’ fashioned hobby wrenchers like me to fix. It’s a necessary change, but it’s also a little sad.
On the up side, we won’t have to listen to as many idiots with intentionally loud – or even non-existent mufflers! Just a pet peeve. Hopefully the world can become a quieter place and windows will no longer rattle.