Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
TAKOKA, MD -- Today, Energy Secretary Granholm and Transportation Secretary Buttigieg signed an agreement authorizing their offices to combine resources to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure for communities across the country, following yesterday’s announcement of the Biden administration’s nationwide electric vehicle charging action plan.
As part of the charging strategy, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Energy set up a Joint Office of Energy & Transportation, which will focus on building out a public charging network and prioritize access to rural and underserved communities. This cross-agency partnership will be instrumental in helping the Biden administration achieve its goal of 500,000 chargers across the country.
In response to the charging announcement, Sierra Club President Ramón Cruz, who was in attendance at yesterday’s event in Maryland alongside representatives from a range of environmental organizations, released the following statement:
“Gone is the day of the gas station, a symbol of fossil fuel dependency. Accelerating the transition to electric vehicles powered by renewable energy is essential for tackling the climate crisis and slashing emissions from transportation. It makes perfect sense for DOE and DOT to join forces to ensure that all communities have access to the charging stations needed to support this critical transition.
“It’s time for Congress to get the Build Back Better Act across the finish line so our communities can experience the benefits of the investments in this historic bill, including advancing consumer electric vehicle incentives that support unionized workforces and credits for used EVs, expanding the EV charger network, as well as making public transit more accessible and frequent, and much more. These are the real-world wins we're fighting for.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.