ChargeWest™ Project Launches to Revolutionize Transportation in the Intermountain West

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Jackson, WY—December 2024—Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities announces the official launch of ChargeWest, the West Electric Highway project. This pioneering initiative will transform transportation across eight states in the Intermountain West by establishing a network of sustainable electric corridors. The project aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions along heavily traveled routes while enhancing access to scenic byways and national parks.

Alicia Cox, Executive Director of Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities, says, “We live and regularly travel to and through some of the most beautiful scenic locations in the country and world, not only to simply enjoy the views, but to have an experience in nature. Fostering a way to travel with minimal impact through the use of electric vehicles not only helps the air quality and health of these beautiful places but cultivates the deep connection and sense of place within our pristine ecosystems many are in search of.”

The ChargeWest project has been awarded a substantial $1.5 million contract from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO). This funding will be instrumental in advancing the goals set forth in the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization and the Biden-Harris Administration’s vision for a fully decarbonized transportation system.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Chair of the National Governors’ Association, says, ““The ChargeWest project reflects our commitment to clean energy and a sustainable future. By investing in electric corridors and resilient grid systems, we are reducing our carbon footprint and supporting gateway communities that serve millions of visitors annually. As more visitors drive electric vehicles, this initiative underscores our dedication to preserving the Intermountain West’s natural beauty, including our 19 renowned national parks, while leading the way in electric transportation.””

The objective of ChargeWest is to develop the ChargeWest Western Electric Highway Corridor Strategy and create a blueprint for regional collaboration. This framework is designed to connect all roads with modern, resilient, and renewable fuels such as electricity and clean hydrogen. It will drive advanced transportation, infrastructure solutions for rural communities and strategize deployments throughout the region, while also guiding the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure, promoting advanced clean fuel adoption, and preparing high-traffic freight routes for clean hydrogen and electric charging.

Margaret Smith, Technology Manager at the DOE Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), emphasized, “For over 30 years, DOE has collaborated with Clean Cities and Communities coalitions at the state and local level to advance clean transportation solutions. We are proud to fund the ChargeWest project, led by Utah Clean Cities. ChargeWest exemplifies how federal funding can be effectively utilized at the state level, with local leadership spearheading innovative and scalable solutions. By encompassing the Intermountain region, ChargeWest establishes a replicable model that can guide transportation decarbonization efforts nationwide.

Through this collaborative effort, the participating states are setting a new standard for a cleaner, more sustainable transportation future. The ChargeWest project is expected to help rural communities drive innovation, create economic opportunities, and build a trained workforce while contributing to a healthier environment. It will also bolster state and local resilience in the face of climate change by using innovation to prepare for a future with zero-emission fuels and resilient infrastructure.

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View the October ChargeWest Project Launch press release, including video links, here.

For additional information about the ChargeWest project and its impact on the Intermountain West region, please contact:

Alicia Cox, Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities
alicia@ytcleancities.org

Tammie Bostick, ChargeWest and UCC
Tammie.bostick@utahcleancities.org

About ChargeWest:

ChargeWest is an EV corridor collaborative across eight states in the Intermountain West region. We are committed to improving electric corridors throughout rural gateway communities, state and national parks, and scenic byways. The states involved are Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

Learn more at ChargeWestEV.org/

About Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities:

Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities is a U.S. Department of Energy designated coalition in the Clean Cities and Communities partnership, dedicated to advancing the nation’s environmental and energy goals by fostering partnerships with public and private stakeholders. Through collaborative efforts, Clean Cities partners work to deploy clean transportation solutions equitably and sustainably.

Learn more at ytcleancities.org

Where We’ve Been

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This fall we had a very busy season and I wanted an easy way for folks to view where we’ve been. Check out the visual below to see the trainings, workshops and conferences we attended and talks we have given. Stay tuned for where we are going!

Wheel House Commuter Bike Hub Recap

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The ‘Wheel House Commuter Bike Hub’ located in the  Stilson Parking Lot, was offered during the summer seasons of 2022, 2023, and 2024, providing an invaluable resource for commuters and cyclists in the Jackson Hole area. At the end of September the Hub was taken down for the last time, in preparation for winter and upcoming construction projects in the Stilson lot.

The Wheel House offered secure overnight bike parking and convenient e-bike charging, allowing commuters to park, lock, and charge their bikes for free. This facility made it easy for those who live out of town but work in Jackson to bypass the summer traffic, enjoying a stress-free ride to and from work along the pathways. This project was made possible with a collaboration between YTCC, Teton Village Association, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and Friends of Pathways with input from Teton County and marketing support from the Town of Jackson. Some commuters who lived elsewhere but worked in Teton Village or beyond also used the hub.

As a pilot program, the Wheel House encouraged people to embrace cycling not just as a means of transportation, but as an enjoyable way to get some exercise and appreciate the view. Commuters traveling over Teton Pass or from the Westbank found it easy to park their vehicles and hop on their bikes, transforming their daily routines in a healthy and sustainable way.

Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing gratitude for the opportunity to beat the traffic and enjoy a more relaxed commute. The program not only promoted sustainable transportation but also fostered a sense of community among those who embraced biking as their primary mode of travel.

As we look ahead to future projects in the Stilson lot, we hope to build on the momentum of the Wheel House. This pilot program demonstrated that with the right infrastructure and support, we can encourage more people to choose biking over driving, leading to a healthier, more connected Jackson Hole.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Wheel House Commuter Bike Hub! Your commitment to reducing emissions and supporting local initiatives is what makes our community so special. We look forward to exploring more ways to promote cycling in the future!

Review of Ford F-150 Lightning

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This summer, I had the awesome opportunity to drive the Ford F-150 Lightning through a lease managed by Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities, and it was such a fun adventure! At first, I had to get used to how quickly it started and stopped, but once I got the hang of it, I absolutely loved the speed and excitement. It turned my everyday errands into little thrill rides!

I took the truck to some beautiful spots like Jackson Lake and Ski Lake with friends, without producing any greenhouse gas emissions. The way it handled the dirt roads was impressive, making it easy to navigate through the bumps and turns. When I headed up the Gros Ventre for a camping trip, it felt smooth and handled the terrain easily. The vehicle has great storage, including a frunk, with plenty of space for out of town trip gear.

It was such a blast to explore nature with an electric truck that’s not only fun to drive but also eco-friendly. Plus, charging the Lightning was super convenient! In Jackson, WY, there are plenty of free public Level 2 charging stations around town. I mainly utilized the DC fast charging stations in the parking garage, where I could charge up in just 30 minutes to an hour. It made it easy to explore without worrying about range.

Overall, the F-150 Lightning really exceeded my expectations. It’s a fantastic option for anyone considering a truck. I can’t wait to share this experience with others who are curious about going electric—it’s a game changer for outdoor adventures in an electric vehicle!

-Bailey Collins, YTCC Project Manager

U.S. Department of Energy Recognizes Local Leader for Advancing Clean Transportation

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With over a decade of experience as an executive director in the Clean Cities and Communities (CC&C) partnership, Alicia Cox works tirelessly to ensure that the Wyoming/Montana/Idaho areas have clean transportation options tailored to their unique needs.  

On Thursday, September 12, Cox was honored for her leadership of Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities by being inducted into the CC&C Hall of Fame, which places her among a group of elite CC&C coalition directors who have been recognized for their resolute commitment and contributions to furthering alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies in U.S. transportation.

Mark Smith, manager of the U.S. Department of Energy Technology Integration Program, made the announcement on the third day of the Clean Cities and Communities Annual Training Workshop, where coalition representatives from across the nation come together to learn about the latest transportation research, share experiences, and recognize each other’s successes. 

Cox is a great champion for the CC&C mission with a steadfast attitude and warm personality, supporting and promoting the use of all alternative fuels in the Wyoming/Montana/Idaho area. Over the years, she has developed many initiatives, including Drive Electric Greater Yellowstone (now Drive Electric Wyoming and Drive Electric Wyoming, the Electric Vehicle (EV) Experience, the EV Ambassador Program, and EV charging station rebate programs. Cox served as a major partner in DOE’s WestSmart EV, WestSmart EV@Scale, and CORWest projects, which all support EV infrastructure buildout in the Northwest. Additionally, this past year Cox has supported nearly $12 million in successfully funded stakeholder projects through various federal programs, most recently the Town of Jackson’s $5.5 million Department of Transportation Community and Fueling Infrastructure Grant (DOT CFI). 

Cox’s work also expands beyond EVs. She led the development of training and curriculum for local stakeholders in green fleets, a transportation-themed sustainability series focused on alternative fuels, vehicles, and other fuel-saving practices, including renewable diesel, natural gas, idle reduction, rideshare, and transit. 

YTCC’s longstanding efforts around the area’s ski resorts and national parks are especially lauded, given the coalition’s territory includes some of America’s best skiing and two of the top 10 most-visited national parks in the United States. Both Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park are responsible for an increase in local road congestion during the summer months. Another of the coalition’s notable recent projects is the Wheel House Commuter Bike Hub, which reduced emissions and traffic congestion by providing e-bike charging and bike storage so local commuters can get off busy roads during high-tourism season. 

Under Cox’s 10-plus years of leadership, YTCC has displaced a total of 972,646 gasoline gallon equivalents and reduced 9,235 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The coalition fosters relationships with 80 stakeholders from some of the most sparsely-populated states in the country—Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. 

“Thank you all, I love the Clean Cities and Communities coalition network,” said Cox. “You all are my family, and this work is so fun and always changing!” 

Wyoming DEQ Volkswagen Funding

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The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is now accepting grant proposals for emissions reduction projects across the state.

Proposed projects must involve methods to mitigate nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from vehicles listed within the eligible mitigation actions established in DEQ’s Volkswagen (VW) Mitigation Plan.

More detailed information about eligible mitigation actions can be found in DEQ’s mitigation plan, which is available at https://deq.wyoming.gov/outreach-public-information/volkswagen-settlement/.

DEQ will fund accepted grant proposals from $1,000,000 of funding provided through the Volkswagen Settlement Funds.

In 2019, DEQ awarded over $500,000 VW Settlement funds to Grand Teton National Park, Western Wyoming Beverages, the Jackson Hole Airport, and Sublette County School District #1. YTCC supported both Jackson Hole Airport and Grand Teton National Park on their applications.

This is an open and competitive process. Applicants must submit their proposals to DEQ no later than 5:00 p.m. January 31, 2024, to be considered. Project applicants will be scored on a numeric, 70-point scale. Points will be awarded based on how well applicants demonstrate that their project meets the criteria specified in the DEQ VW Mitigation Plan, as well as the level of detail included in the applicant’s responses to application questions. All project applicants will receive fair and equal consideration.

The following criteria will be used in selection and ranking of proposals
received:

  1. Greatest NOX emissions reductions.
  2. Cost benefit – Projects that achieve the highest emission reductions at the lowest cost.
  3. Potential for achieving measurable NOX emission reductions in nonattainment areas.
  4. NOX Emission reduction benefits to areas of greater population density.
  5. NOX Emission reduction benefits to sensitive populations, such as children and the elderly.

Projects Eligible for VW Settlement funds:

  1. Class 8 Local Freight Trucks (Eligible Large Trucks)
  2. Class 4-8 School Bus, Shuttle Bus, or Transit Bus (Eligible Buses)
  3. Class 4-7 Local Freight Trucks (Medium Trucks)
  4. Airport Ground Support Equipment

Please reach out to alicia@ytcleancities.org if you would like to discuss a project.

Apply for the grant HERE.

YTCC hosted an informational webinar with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, you can find the recording HERE.

Celebrating 20 years of YTCC

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Check out this beautiful video highlighting some of YTCC’s work over the past 20 years.

Read more

Congressman Simpson Honored with Clean Transportation Hero Award from YTCC

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Idaho Falls, ID | April 17th, 2023 – Congressman Mike Simpson has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to clean transportation, economic and energy security by Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities, a non-profit organization that promotes alternative fuels, advanced vehicles, energy efficient mobility systems and energy security in the region. Simpson was presented with the Clean Transportation Hero award at his office in Idaho Falls on Thursday, April 13th by YTCC staff, board members and stakeholders.

Simpson, who has represented Idaho in Congress for 25 years, has been a longstanding leader for clean energy and clean transportation. He has served on the House Appropriations Committee for well over a decade and has been instrumental in bringing clean energy funding to Idaho. For many years, he was the leading Republican on the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds the U.S. Department of Energy – he served as Chairman from 2014-2018 and Ranking Member from 2019-2022. Currently, he is serving as Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Interior.

Simpson has played a major role in supporting funding for the Department of Energy resulting in support of the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), a longstanding stakeholder of YTCC. INL’s work includes their motor coach fleet clean transportation research and demonstration projects, which now include the use of renewable diesel in their motorcoaches and one MCI full electric motorcoach. INL’s projects have been of significant benefit to the Greater Yellowstone region in terms of reducing emissions, improving air quality, and providing examples of alternative fuels successfully deployed in this cold weather climate region. 

Additionally, he has helped to increase funding for two critical clean transportation programs that are important to Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities: the EPA Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grants, which replace and rehabilitate dirty diesel engines across the country, and the DOE Clean Cities Program, which enables the nation’s 75 Clean Cities Coalitions to help public and private sector fleets transition to clean fuels and vehicles, establish clean fueling infrastructure, and educate key local and state leaders and the public about the many benefits of clean fuels.

The City of Idaho Falls, another key YTCC stakeholder, is a leader in advancing alternative fuels and energy efficient mobility systems. Idaho Falls Power recently deployed an all-electric Ford Lightning F-150 in addition to their 4 other hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Last year the City of Idaho Falls also launched a micro transit system to serve the community, Greater Idaho Falls Transit (GIFT). Under GIFT director, Kade Marquez’s leadership, GIFT operates 3 plug-in hybrid vans for its services. In addition to deployments, on March 16th, the City of Idaho Falls, Idaho Falls Power, GIFT and YTCC hosted a community electric vehicle charging station engagement lunch. 

Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities Executive Director, Alicia Cox said, “Congressman Simpson has been a consistent advocate for energy secure clean transportation in our region and country, and we are pleased to recognize his outstanding contributions with this award. His leadership and support have been instrumental in advancing critical programs and projects that are making a real difference in reducing emissions, improving air quality, and providing energy security in this region and throughout the country. We are grateful for his partnership and look forward to continuing to work together to create a cleaner, more energy secure future for all.”

L-R: Tad Pearson, INL Transportation Services Manager and YTCC Board Member; Alicia Cox, YTCC Executive Director; Representative Mike Simpson; Basil Barna, YTCC Board Member; Bear Prairie, Idaho Falls Power General Manager; Kade Marquez, GIFT Transit Coordinator

Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities is the sole regional designee of the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program. YTCC works to advance alternative fuels, vehicles and infrastructure, and sustainable transportation options to increase energy security and sustainability in the Greater Yellowstone region. For more information about Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities, visit their website at www.ytcleancities.org.