Albany announces $500,000 DEC grant to install EV charging ports around city
ALBANY, NY (WRGB) — As we celebrate Earth Day, the City of Albany works to build the infrastructure needed to electrify the City’s transportation networks.
To that end, Albany is proud to announce it has been awarded a $499,769.60 grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) to install 28 Level 2 electric vehicle charging ports at 14 stations. Installing convenient public charging across the City will encourage the ongoing transition to electric vehicles. As residents and businesses alike increasingly adopt electric vehicles (EVs), greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced, air quality will improve, and EV drivers will save money on fuel and maintenance.
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The funding from NYS DEC’s Municipal Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) program follows on the 2021 installation of eight charging stations funded by NYSERDA’s ChargeReadyNY program. At the same time, Albany is exploring the implementation of a 2022 “Fleet Electrification Study” while City departments have already started replacing fossil-fuel vehicles with EVs. Many of the newly funded charging stations – as well as the chargers already installed – are being deployed in historically disadvantaged neighborhoods.
The locations funded by NYS DEC’s Zero Emission Vehicles program include:
- 3 dual-port stations in Washington Park near the intersection of State Street and Willet Street
- 3 dual-port stations at the Capital Hills Golf Course on O’Neil Road
- 2 dual-port stations at Hoffman Park off McCarty Avenue
- 1 dual-port station at the Department of General Services headquarters on Conners Boulevard
- 1 dual-port station at the Department of Recreation headquarters on Hoffman Avenue
- 1 dual-port station at the Tivoli Lake Preserve on Livingston Avenue
- 1 dual-port station at Six Mile Waterworks on Fuller Road
- 1 dual-port station at Lark Park on Lark Street
- 1 dual-port station adjacent to the Albany Police Department’s South Station on Arch Street
These electric vehicle chargers are part of a larger effort to promote sustainability and combat climate change. This includes reducing emissions from city-owned buildings and requiring departments to purchase electric vehicles where feasible, among other initiatives.
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, “The City of Albany is proud to have received the second-largest grant across New York State for the installation of EV Chargers. My administration is committed to leading the way to promote sustainability and combat climate change, and our efforts to expand our electric vehicle charging network are doing just that. Thank you to Governor Hochul and Commissioner Seggos for their continued leadership and support of New York’s Capital City. I also want to thank our Director of Sustainability Jason West and our entire sustainability team for securing this significant funding that will help further our efforts to leave a greener, cleaner planet for future generations.”
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “DEC is proud to work with the communities and local leaders across the state investing in clean energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and building sustainable infrastructure. This funding will continue to grow New York's electric vehicle charging network in communities as we shift to zero-emissions vehicles to reduce emissions and improve the health and safety of New Yorkers. DEC applauds these communities working to address the climate crisis by acting locally to bolster the State's climate leadership.”
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New York State Senator Neil D. Breslin said, “Investing in the electric vehicle infrastructure here in the City of Albany and across all of New York State is critically important as we become less reliant on gas powered vehicles. These EV stations will assist greatly in New York State's efforts to meet its gas house emission standards under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.”
New York State Assemblymember Patricia Fahy said, “Last year, Governor Hochul signed my legislation to transition our state fleet to 100% zero-emission vehicles and have New York lead by example on our roads when it comes to electrification. To support that fleet and meet future demand, New York will need to rapidly build-out our EV-ready infrastructure to reduce range anxiety, support our transition to electric vehicles, and meet our climate law mandates. The announcement of 28 new charging stations in the City of Albany alone will assist in our transition locally and I commend Governor Kathy Hochul for her commitment to partnering with local governments to realize New York’s clean energy future.”
New York State Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh said, “The growing network of electric vehicle charging stations in New York is an important step for advancing our economic and environmental plans. As Electric Vehicles continue to grow it is important to reduce hesitation or anxiety by having ample EV supply resources in place which is the intent of these programs we support. Installing easily accessible charging hubs like these in the City of Albany will provide a major service to travelers who opt for clean transportation while helping the state achieve its climate protection goals.”
Albany also has an active 15-member Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC) made up of residents and City staff. The SAC is engaged in policy research on topics as varied as encouraging urban agriculture, incorporating sustainability measures into the building code, reducing food waste, and exploring ways to electrify the aging housing stock of low-income neighborhoods.
Anyone interested in learning more or getting involved is encouraged to email sustainability@albanyny.gov or visit the Sustainability Tent at the 75th Annual Tulip Festival on Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14 in Washington Park.
