Federal Funding Update

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The bi-partisan infrastructure bill provides a historic level of funding for infrastructure; including roads, bridges, and broadband. Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities (YTCC) is closely following the funding earmarked for electric vehicle charging stations, alternative fuels and infrastructure, transit, and school buses. YTCC’s goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to understand what funding is available and to help you apply for the funding that suits your fleet’s needs.

The chart below displays the federal funds currently available, the federal entity they are available through, and the amount available.


*Both the Low or No Emissions Vehicle Program and Bus Facilities Programs closed applications on May 31st, 2022.

National Electric Vehicle Program (NEVI)

The National Electric Vehicle Program (NEVI) consists of 5 billion dollars that will be provided to individual states to strategically deploy EV charging infrastructure and establish an interconnected network to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability. The program guidance was released on February 10th and state plans are due on August 1, 2022. Then September 30th, the Federal Highway Administration will approve state plans.

Some requirements for this funding are:

  • The charging stations have to be located along a designated alternative fuel corridor
  • A charging station needs to be located every 50 miles within 1 mile of an interstate
  • Each state needs at least four 150 kW DC (direct current) fast-charging stations with CCS (combined charging system) ports
  • The charging stations must be at or above 600 kW of power to support at least 150 kW per charging port simultaneously 
Learn more about the State of Wyoming’s NEVI Plan submission.
Learn more about the State of Montana’s NEVI Plan submission.
Learn more about the State of Idaho’s NEVI Plan submission.

Grants for Charging and Fueling Infrastructure

The new Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program will provide $2.5 billion in discretionary funds over the next five years to deploy electric vehicle charging and hydrogen/propane/natural gas fueling infrastructure along designated alternative fuel corridors and in communities. Grant program must be established by November 15, 2022

  • 1.25 billion dollars is for fueling along designated corridors
  • 1.25 billion dollars is for infrastructure for communities
    • This could fund EV charging, hydrogen, natural gas, and propane infrastructure 
  • There is availability to provide inputs on state plans for this funding through your state’s department of transportation

Learn more about the program HERE.

Carbon Reduction Program

The Carbon Reduction Program will fund a wide range of projects designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from on-road highway sources — from installing infrastructure to support the electrification of freight vehicles or personal cars, to constructing Bus Rapid Transit corridors, to facilitating micro-mobility and biking.

  • Available funds must be obligated for projects that support the reduction of transportation emissions
  • This program requires each state to develop a carbon reduction strategy no later then 2 years after enactment of the program

Learn more about the program HERE.

Clean School Bus Program

With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s new Clean School Bus Program provides $5 billion over the next five years (FY 2022-2026) to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models. EPA is offering $500 million through the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates for zero-emission and low-emission school bus rebates as the first funding opportunity. EPA will continue to update this page with additional Clean School Bus Program funding  information and educational resources.

  • $500 million available in 2022 for zero emission school bus rebates
  • Who is eligible to apply:
    • State and local governmental entities that provide bus service
    • Eligible contractors 
    • Nonprofit school transportation associations
    • Indian tribes, tribal organizations, or tribally controlled schools responsible for the purchase of school buses or providing school bus service for a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) funded school
  • Applications are due August 19, 2022

Learn more about the program and apply HERE.

Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA)

The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program funds grants and rebates that protect human health and improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions from diesel engines. 

  • National, State, and Tribal grants are available for funding

Find more information about the program HERE.

Fiscal Year 2022 Vehicle Technologies Office Program Wide FOA

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) issued a notice of intent for a new funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for 2022. The activities to be funded under this FOA will support the deployment of clean energy technologies. This will include advancement of electric drive technologies, electrification of non-road vehicles, improvements in off-road vehicle charging, improved efficiency of engines using low-carbon fuels, and deployment of these technologies among diverse communities. 

Learn more about the program HERE.

CNG Video Tour

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YTCC created a compressed natural gas (CNG) video tour to show how CNG is used as an alternative fuel in many vehicles and will take you on a tour of the station in Jackson, WY at Lower Valley Energy and the station in Afton, WY called Star Valley CNG. At each station, we will discuss who can fuel, how to fuel, and also explain what fleets use the station and how the station was funded.

 

Thank you to Energy Conservation Works and Star Valley CNG for partnering on this video. We hope you enjoy our CNG video tour!

 

You can access the alternative fuel station locator to find CNG stations near you here.

State of Montana Slated to Receive Nearly $43 Million in Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Funding

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DEQ and MDT to Host Webinar on April 4

 

HELENA—National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding is coming to Montana. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law late last year, includes $7.5 billion to support a national electric vehicle charging network. Of that total, $5 billion will go to states under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI). Montana will receive nearly $43 million through the formula program to fund direct-current fast charging (DCFC) infrastructure along interstate and U.S. highway corridors over the next five years.

The funding will be administered by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) in collaboration with the Energy Office at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). This partnership will work together to leverage MDT’s expertise in transportation funding and planning with DEQ’s experience in planning and deployment of electric vehicle infrastructure.

“The Montana Energy Office at DEQ has developed expertise in electric vehicle charging infrastructure through the 2017 settlement with Volkswagen,” said DEQ Director Chris Dorrington. “Efficient distribution of these new federal funds will support on-going private investment in this growing area of need for electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Montana.”

The federal funding can cover up to 80 percent of the costs associated with the electric vehicle charging infrastructure and the remainder will come from private investment—meaning state funds will not need to be used to match. DEQ’s Fast Charge Your Ride Program awarded funding in 2021 using the same cost share model to partner with private entities.

“This is a great opportunity for Montana to combine federal funding with private investment to create 21st century transportation infrastructure,” said MDT Director Mack Long. “Government works best when it works together with the private sector. This program will be a great opportunity to display effective public-private partnerships that serve the traveling public in Montana.”

The funding will initially be limited to highway corridors that have been designated as Alternative Fuel Corridors by the Federal Highway Administration. In Montana that includes Interstate 15, Interstate 90 and Interstate 94, along with U.S. Highway 2 and Highway 93 will be the focus.

Montana must develop and submit an “Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan” by Aug. 1. DEQ will lead the development of the plan in coordination with MDT. A virtual information session is planned for April 4 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone interested in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, sharing information or commenting on the development of the plan is encouraged to attend the webinar.

For more information, visit the following links:

WYDOT Announces Strategy for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Funding

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22 March 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WYDOT announces strategy for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Wyoming will soon receive National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula funds to use to facilitate electric vehicle infrastructure development, especially charging stations, around the state.

The funding is part of the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), signed by President Biden in November 2021. The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is allocated $3.9 million this year and expects $5 million each year for the next four years for a total of $23.96 million for EV infrastructure over five years.

In preparation to execute NEVI funding and other program incentives, the state has developed a Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy and will circulate the strategy over the next month to allow the public and interested parties to provide comments and feedback.

“These stations will not only be powered by Wyoming energy, but will help facilitate tourism around the state,” said Director Luke Reiner. “We want drivers who choose EVs to have safe and reliable ways to charge their vehicles as they drive in our state. This has been an inter-agency effort to maximize available resources for our residents and visitors.”

Wyoming’s interstates have been designated as “Alternative Fuel Corridors” and under the NEVI program must have infrastructure installed first. Corridor infrastructure must adhere to guidelines set by the NEVI Program Joint Office for charger efficiency, location, and accessibility. Once the interstate corridors are complete, remaining funding can be spent along other key routes to popular destinations like Yellowstone National Park and Devil’s Tower National Monument.

No state funds will be used to build, maintain or operate EV charging infrastructure through the NEVI program. Instead, the company who bids on the corridor will pay the required match amount to the Federal funds.

In addition to the NEVI funding, the BIL outlined $2.5 billion in discretionary grants available to eligible applicants, including state and local governments, special purpose districts, tribes and other groups or entities. The state also has VW settlement funds that will be used to provide additional funding for EV infrastructure development in areas not along the alternative fuel corridors.

WYDOT and other state officials have scheduled public meetings around the state in early April to gather public input as well as feedback from potential bidders and other interested parties. Each meeting is expected to have a virtual component so viewers can attend any meeting and see the proposed plan and make comments.

The schedule is as follows:

  • Cheyenne
    • Date and time: April 4, 1-3 p.m.
    • Location: WYDOT Auditorium, 5300 Bishop Blvd.
  • Casper
    • Date and time: April 5, 9-11 a.m.
    • Location: WY Oil and Gas Commission Hearing Room, 2211 King Blvd.
  • Cody
    • Date and time: April 5, 5-7 p.m.
    • Location: Park County Public Library Grizzly Hall, 1500 Heart Mountain St.
  • Riverton
    • Date and time: April 6, 1-3 p.m.
    • Location: Riverton City Council Chambers, 816 N. Federal Blvd.
  • Jackson
    • Date and time: April 7, 9-11 a.m.
    • Location: Ordway Auditorium, Teton County Library, 125 Virginian Lane
  • Rock Springs
    • Date and time: April 7, 5-7 p.m.
    • Location: WYDOT District Office, 3200 Elk St.
  • Rawlins
    • Date and time: April 8, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
    • Location: Rawlins Family Recreation Center, 1616 Harshman St.
  • Gillette
    • Date and time: April 11, 2-4 p.m.
    • Location: Campbell County Library, 2101 S 4-J Rd.
  • Sheridan
    • Date and time: April 12, 10 a.m. – noon
    • Location: Sheridan County Fulmer Library, 335 W Alger St.

Those interested in making a public comment can also email dot-publicaffairs@wyo.gov. For more information, visit our website: https://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/planning_projects/zero-emission-vehicles/national-electric-vehicle-infrastructure-(nevi)-program.html

Press Release: Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities Announces Green Fleet Leader Awards

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Electric Vehicles Roadmap Initiative Special Report

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The Western Governor’s Association released their Special Report of the Electric Vehicles Roadmap Initiative. This report contains targeted recommendations on federal policy issues that affect public and private investments in EV infrastructure across the West. It also includes an umbrella agreement among states around a shared set of principles regarding EV infrastructure planning and identified a suite of voluntary standards to optimize public and private EV infrastructure investments.

YTCC is proud to have partnered on this initiative!

EV Ride and Drive with Johnny Ziem with the Town of Jackson

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Follow along as Johnny Ziem with the Town of Jackson shows off the Chevy Bolt he drives for work and explains the vehicle specs, what he likes best about the Bolt, and where you can charge in Jackson, WY.

Click HERE to watch the video on YTCC’s youtube channel.

EcoFair Challenge 2021

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This year we are partnering with EcoFair host, Energy Conservation Works, and other sustainability partners to host the first annual EcoFair Challenge! We collaborated to curate a list of challenges to inspire our community to take action, sustaining the spirit of the EcoFair since we won’t convene at an in-person event this year. These challenges involve simple, attainable, and impactful choices each of us can make.

 

Take on the challenges and win cool things! Challenges range from everyday activities (biking, walking, or taking the bus), weekly activities (dropping off food compost), or bigger commitments (signing up for Green Power)! Each challenge has a point value based on the difficulty, cost, and impact. Winners will be chosen each week, through raffle drawing and/or accumulated points for that week.

 

The challenges related to transportation are:

 

Check out the full list of challenges at bit.ly/jhecochallenge, and log your points on the Google Form: bit.ly/ecochallengelog. Weekly winners will be announced at our EcoTalk series at 6 pm on Tuesday. Visit the EcoFair Facebook page for details on how to attend the event: https://www.facebook.com/jacksonecofair. 

 

The EcoFair Challenge was made possible by collaboration from Avant Delivery, Energy Conservation Works, Hole Food Rescue, Jackson Hole Airport, Slow Food in the Tetons, START Bus, Teton Conservation District, Teton County Integrated Solid Waste & Recycling, The Riverwind Foundation & Yellowstone-Teton Clean CIties.

New Funding Announcement

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The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced two new clean transportation funding opportunities using the State’s Volkswagen Settlement funds. Applications for both are due January 11, 2021. Additional details are provided below.

Fast Charge Your Ride

DEQ is seeking eligible applicants interested in installing Level 3 direct current fast charging (DCFC) stations along key travel corridors in Montana. DCFC stations are capable of providing at least a 50-kilowatt (kW) output for a single vehicle. Each DCFC station location must also have a Level 2 station on site for redundancy in case the DCFC station is temporarily out of service, already in use, or for use by vehicles unable to use the DCFC station.

Proposed EVCS locations eligible for funding are along I-90, I-15, US-93, and a portion of US-2. Additional priority locations include Gardiner, Seeley Lake, and West Yellowstone.

The purpose of this program is to help fund the installation of EVCS stations for light duty vehicles in support of expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure along key travel corridors in Montana in order to help reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), greenhouse gases and particulate matter associated with light duty vehicles in Montana.

Find the Request for Applications (RFA) here. Read the RFA to determine if your proposal requires the Corridor application or the Additional Priority Location application.

Clean School Bus Program

DEQ is soliciting interest from all K-12 schools and all districts in Montana to replace model years 1996-2019 diesel-powered C and D type school buses with new battery-electric or certified low NOx emission school buses or model year 1996-2009 diesel-powered C and D type school buses with propane and cleaner diesel buses.

The application and instructions provide the information to allow schools to determine whether they are eligible to apply. Districts that operate their own buses or contract with a fleet manager are both eligible.

Find the Request for Applications and application here.

Questions?

If you have questions about either funding opportunity or eligibility, please contact Neal Ullman at 406-444-6582 or neal.ullman@mt.gov.

We want to hear from you!

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YTCC is reaching out to hear from YOU about your experiences, needs and thoughts about alternative fuel use in our region. We’ve designed a survey for the main groups we serve: government entities, businesses (this includes non-profits) and individuals. We will use the information you provide to help fine tune and develop programing to meet your needs and to make the biggest impact in our region. Upon completion of the survey you can opt in to be in a drawing for a $50.00 amazon gift card.

If you work for a government entity, please find your specific survey HERE

If you work for or own a business, please find your specific survey HERE

If you are filling a survey out on behalf of your self, find the INDIVIDUAL SURVEY HERE