Press Release: 2024-09-04
Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates More than $16 Million in Federal Funding for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
The City of Boston to receive $15 million and DCR to receive $1.2 million to be used for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
9/03/2024
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration is celebrating $16.2 million awarded to Massachusetts from the U.S. Department of Transportation to install affordable public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the City of Boston and in parks across Massachusetts. The funding is provided through the U.S. DOT’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program. The City of Boston was awarded $15 million through Recharge Boston: Making EV Charging Publicly Available in Every Neighborhood. Additionally, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will receive $1.2 million to launch the agency’s Public Access Electric Vehicle Charging Program.
“Securing federal funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure is a game-changer for our transportation system,” said Governor Maura Healey. “With these awards for the state and Boston, we are swiftly building a statewide network of charging stations together. This will not only boost the economy and strengthen energy security, but it will also drive us toward a more sustainable future.”
“As a former mayor, I understand the significant impact of this funding. The expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure represents more than just development - it demonstrates our dedication to a future where sustainable transportation is central to everyday life,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This serves as a definitive step forward towards more environmentally conscious and forward-thinking communities.”
“As more residents transition away from gas-fueled cars, Boston must have the necessary infrastructure to support this clean energy transition,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “We are grateful to our federal partners and the Healey-Driscoll administration for their partnership in bolstering this critical charging infrastructure for a green transportation and a sustainable future.”
DCR’s Office of Climate Resilience will use the funding, combined with an additional $300,000 from the agency, for a strategic planning and design process. This will include a pilot program to install up to 40 EV charging stations at selected DCR properties across the state. The funding will also be used for implementing a maintenance plan, as well as developing educational and interpretive materials. This program aligns with the ongoing efforts of the Office of Climate Resilience that integrates climate resiliency and decarbonization into all DCR projects, programs and overall agency operations. DCR will seek to promote a more just and sustainable transportation system and address environmental disparities by prioritizing access to charging stations in low and moderate income and environmental communities.
“Securing federal funding for EV charging stations in state parks is crucial for addressing range anxiety and encouraging eco-friendly travel. Expanding charging infrastructure empowers drivers to explore further while reducing our carbon footprint,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “This investment ensures that enjoying the great outdoors and driving sustainably go hand in hand.”
Building EV charging infrastructure is one step towards meeting the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s climate and net zero goals. Massachusetts has set ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals requiring the electrification of the transportation sector. DCR’s Public Access Electric Vehicle Charging Program will help ensure a smooth conversion to electric vehicles across the state at DCR’s facilities that already act as hubs for Massachusetts’ residents and visitors throughout the year.
DCR will implement the grant funding over a five-year period. During the first two years, DCR will undertake a planning process including an equity analysis and stakeholder engagement with a focus on environmental justice and rural communities, followed by a design and permitting process and the installation of the EV charging stations at locations that will be designated through the planning process. This will include a preconstruction planning phase that will evaluate DCR’s publicly accessible parking areas at agency properties across the state with the goal of providing park visitors and drivers with the most appropriate geographic distribution across the state. Once the charging stations are installed, the funding will be used for a maintenance plan that will cover three of the first five years after installation, and public facing educational and interpretive materials. All construction will be planned in a manner that minimizes impacts to environmental and historic resources.
"Our DCR properties are special places that bring people of all ages, demographics and backgrounds together and connect them with nature,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “This funding from the Administration will allow families and residents to recharge their EVs while recharging themselves while hiking, walking, strolling and other activities in our beautiful parks. We are thrilled to be able to expand our EV infrastructure at our properties all across the state and hope it helps bring more people into our outdoors.”
“This funding will help us advance our climate goals, expand transit options for drivers, and lays the groundwork for a more resilient transportation system,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “We are continuing to aggressively pursue federal funding to support more of these critical projects across Massachusetts. Thank you to Secretary Buttigieg, Administrator Bhatt, and all of our partners in the Biden-Harris administration for supporting our efforts to modernize our transportation infrastructure in Massachusetts.”
As the ninth largest state park system in the nation, DCR manages approximately 500,000 acres of diverse land consisting of parks, forests, beaches, lakes, ponds, water supply protection lands, playgrounds, swimming pools, skating rinks, campgrounds, golf courses, sports fields, and trails. The agency also manages 160 miles of parkways designed both as open spaces and transportation corridors linking critical green space throughout the Greater Boston area. The agency’s mission is to protect, promote and enhance our Commonwealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the well-being of all.