EV chargers, artificial intelligence, recycling and plastics, student financial aid

On Thursday, the state Department of Commerce announced funding awards that will install nearly 5,000 new EV chargers at over 560 charging locations statewide, including 271 fast-chargers and 4,710 Level-2 chargers.

A total of $85 million in grants was awarded based on a competitive scoring system with a focus on projects in areas with few existing chargers or high levels of air pollution, projects built or maintained with union labor, and other standards.

“We’re not just charging our cars. We’re charging our economy,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “We’re charging job creation, because just this project will create over 79,000 person-days of work for electricians, masons, and others to get this done.”

“The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has been advocating for the advantages of electric vehicles for a decade now,” said Matthew Hepner, executive director of the Certified Electricians of Washington. “To see this state funding come to fruition is a goal realized… These jobs are a lifeline, both for our members and the environment.”

The Climate Commitment Act chipped in $21 million of the total to serve Tribal communities and others already suffering from the effects of pollution. Some residents of Spokane County, for example, live for 2.5 years less than the average Washingtonian due to wildfire smoke and pollution exposures. The CCA commits at least 40% of its resources towards addressing air quality in these distressed communities, and installing EV chargers to help folks drive cleaner cars is a start.

“We are working on educating disadvantaged communities about environmental justice,” said Chaune Fitzgerald, director of Women for Wisdom Tri-Cities. “We’re making sure they will not be left out, because there will be a time where they won’t be focused just on day-to-day issues, but on the future.”

This article was originally published by the Washington Governor Jay Inslee Newsletter. You can read the full article here.