Schedule an Electric Vehicle Ride and Drive
Next month we will be celebrating National Drive Electric Week from September 22nd through October 1st. During this week the EV Experience team will be offering electric vehicle ‘ride and drives’…
Celebrating 20 years of YTCC
Check out this beautiful video highlighting some of YTCC’s work over the past 20 years.
The Wheel House Commuter Bike Parking Hub Launches for the 2023 Season
Skip the Traffic and Enjoy Your Ride
Jackson, Wyoming – June 8, 2023: The Wheel House commuter bike hub is now open at Stilson Parking Lot, offering a secure location for overnight bike parking and electric bike charging. Commuters can take advantage of this facility by parking, locking, and charging their bikes for free within The Wheel House.
Residents and employees of Jackson Hole can now bypass the summer traffic and experience a stress-free journey to and from work using the local pathways. This program, in its 2nd year, allows individuals commuting over Teton Pass or from the Westbank to park their vehicles, hop on their bikes, and cycle the remaining part of their commute.
“Most who live here have experienced being stuck in traffic on Hwy 22 during the summer months. We wanted to offer an option to make it easier for folks to get out of their cars and allow biking to be a more inviting commute option, particularly with the bridge construction this summer,” Alicia Cox, Executive Director, Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities.
If you already bike commute but have been transporting your bike on the back of your vehicle each day, or you want to start commuting with your personal bike, you can simply lock your bike inside the tent and leave it there. The program is free but please sign-up for the program so we can easily communicate with program participants. You can sign up here at the program page on YTCC’s website: https://ytcleancities.org/wheel-house-commuter-bike-hub/
Interested in improving your employees’ commute so they aren’t stuck in traffic? Consider providing e-bikes at the Stilson location for your employees to use.
Contact:
Alicia Cox, Executive Director
Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities
810-955-5811
About The Wheel House:
The Wheel House commuter bike hub is the result of a partnership between Friends of Pathways, Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities, Teton Village Association and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. These organizations are dedicated to enhancing traffic flow and reducing emissions along Highway 22 in Jackson Hole.
Congressman Simpson Honored with Clean Transportation Hero Award from YTCC
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.
Wyoming Updates NEVI and VW Funding Timeline
Wyoming DOT updated their timeline regarding NEVI and VW Funding. Note the in-person workshop scheduled for May 9th in Casper, WY will be moved to May 24th if any delay in this timeline occurs. If the workshop is delayed, deadlines are also delayed by two weeks.
As a reminder, the NEVI funding can only be used along the previously designated alternative fuel corridors. Year one funding of the NEVI program will only fund stations in the towns of Pine Bluffs, Laramie, Wheatland, Douglas, Buffalo, Sheridan, and Sundance.
The VW Funding is an excellent funding option for communities and businesses that are not located along the alternative fuel corridor. There is a total of $1.2 million available. The draft process to apply for these funds will be posted on April 1st as noted in the timeline below. Some high level priorities and program guidance for VW funds are outlined in Wyoming’s Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy:
- VW settlement funds will be open to off route recipients and include Level 2 and lower output Level 3 charging at multifamily dwellings and businesses more suited to local area travel.
- These funds will support up to 50% of the purchase and installation costs for this program.
- Funds will be awarded to qualified applicants on a first come, first served basis until all funds are exhausted. Applications from corridor funded areas will not be considered in this pool.
In addition to the VW Funding, the Community Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant program is also a great option for communities not along the alternative fuel corridors. This program is not yet open but the program website, linked above, is live.
Yesterday’s Wyoming Timeline Updates below:
Recently, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Standards and Requirements final rule. That release initiated actions for WYDOT and other state agencies to finalize the NEVI Funding Requests for Proposal (RFP) and the procedure for interested parties to apply for VW Settlement Funds.
While the NEVI final rules did answer some questions, it raised others. We continue to work with FHWA to clarify requirements and ensure the NEVI RFP is as comprehensive as possible. We are still waiting for some answers but feel we are far enough along to issue a predicted timeline for the next steps in the funding announcement process.
In addition, WYDOT continues to synchronize electric vehicle infrastructure support activities with other state agencies, which will require a longer RFP review process than normal. We will build that additional review time into RFP issuance and submittal schedules. This updated timeline is subject to change based upon FHWA responses and other State Agency review requirements.
Updated Timeline – Expected completion dates (NLT = no later than)
- Draft Cybersecurity requirement language received from the Wyoming Department of Enterprise Technology Service – March 3, 2023
- Final FHWA answers or clarification to NEVI final rule questions – March 7, 2023
- Draft RFP complete and submitted for State Agency Review – March 10, 2023
- RFP approved and posted for public review / comment – NLT April 1, 2023
- VW Settlement Fund Application Procedures posted – NLT April 1, 2023
- RFP questions due to WYDOT (RFP will provide additional information) – NLT April 21, 2023
- VW Settlement Application Procedures questions due to WYDOT – NLT April 21, 2023
- WYDOT response to RFP and VW Settlement application procedure questions – NLT April 28, 2023
- NEVI / VW Settlement Funding Workshop – May 9, Thyra Thomson State Office Building Casper, WY
- Registration procedures and agenda will publish NLT April 10, 2023
- Final questions for NEVI RFP due to WYDOT NLT May 31, 2023
- WYDOT response to additional NEVI RFP questions NLT June 7, 2023
- RFP closes for proposals – on or about June 15, 2023
- VW Settlement Fund Application submissions activate on or about June 15, 2023
There is a possibility the timeline could be delayed during the RFP review process or by additional guidance we may receive from FHWA. In that case we have a secondary date for the Workshop arranged at the Thyra Thomson State Office Building on May 24, 2023. If we must delay the workshop, the final questions, RFP closing, and VW Settlement Funding Application opening dates will also be delayed by two weeks. We will publish an updated timeline.
If FHWA publishes guidance for discretionary grant programs prior to the workshop, we will cover those programs at that workshop. We will post any additional information on this site when it becomes available.
Celebrating 20 Years
YTCC has been celebrating our 20th year anniversary and we continue to do so through this Spring. We compiled a timeline of our work for a poster at our in-person events and would love to share with you all here!
Town Council approves YTCC Electric Vehicle Charging Station Text Amendment
Town Council approves Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities LDR Electric Vehicle Charging Station Text Amendment
Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities applied for an amendment to the Land Development Regulations to require specific percentages of electric vehicle charging station(s) and electric vehicle charging station ready spaces be installed at time of new building construction.
Contacts:
Alicia Cox, Executive Director
Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities
810-955-5811
Jackson, WY | January 19th — After the third and final reading at the January 17th Town Council meeting, the Town Council approved the electric vehicle charging station (EVSE) Land Development Regulation (LDR) amendment, establishing ordinance 1339, which became effective January 18th.
The EVSE LDR amendment, proposed by Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities (YTCC), provides the guidance to require charging infrastructure and electric vehicle charging station “ready” spaces to support electric vehicle charging stations at newly constructed workplaces, multi-unit dwellings (MUDs) and residential locations. The intent is to install charging infrastructure at the time of construction, when it is least expensive to do so, and to allow future MUD homeowners or renters access to charging at home. Studies have found 80% of charging occurs at home. YTCC worked with Alex Norton of OPS Strategies, to develop the amendment language to best align with the LDRs.
Currently, there are 22 Level 2 and DC fast charging station locations with 49 ports available to the public. Only a handful are considered “workplace charging” where an employee can charge during their working hours. In addition, there are no level 2 charging stations currently available at MUDs. Those living in MUDs may not have a dedicated garage or even parking space and if they rent, the ability to charge an electric vehicle at home is even more complex and potentially cost prohibitive to install.
The number of registered electric vehicles in the Town of Jackson has outpaced adoption at the national level. Lower Valley Energy, the utility serving the Town of Jackson, provides some of the cleanest and cheapest electricity in the nation, providing Town of Jackson residents, businesses, and government entities the opportunity to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also saving on fuel costs.
“We are so pleased and fortunate to have town staff and elected officials who support and understand the importance of providing this guidance. This ordinance is a significant step towards the Town reducing greenhouse gas emissions, providing equitable access to charging infrastructure and ensuring fiscal responsibility by installing or preparing sites for charging infrastructure at the time of least cost. We are very thankful to the Town Council for approving this measure.” Alicia Cox, Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities Executive Director.
This amendment aligns well with the Town of Jackson’s NetZero 2030 goal. As the availability of charging infrastructure grows, the ability for all income levels of Town of Jackson residents to purchase an electric vehicle increases as well. In addition, the cost to install a station during construction is four times less than installing post construction.
“The Town of Jackson is extremely excited for this amendment because it addresses the future of EV charging in our community.” Johnny Ziem, Assistant Public Works Director, Town of Jackson.
“Not only do electric vehicles produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than internal combustion engine vehicles, they also contribute less to air and water pollution. This ordinance will make it easier for the Town of Jackson to meet both our sustainability goals and the growing demand for electric vehicle charging while providing more residents with the freedom to drive the vehicle that is right for them.” Tanya Anderson, Ecosystem Stewardship Administrator, Town of Jackson.
The early models of electric vehicles were often considered luxury vehicles, but with all major car manufacturers having made commitments to electric vehicles, the number of base models available have grown to 40 with many at competitive sticker prices. Some new electric cars starting MSRP are around $28,000 and adding the $7,500 tax credit brings the price close to $20,000 for a new car. In addition, as electric vehicles are into their second decade of availability, used electric vehicles are more available. Finally, the inflation reduction act provided for the expansion of the electric vehicle tax credit to last until 2032 and used vehicles, at least 2 years old, can qualify for up to a $4,000 tax credit.
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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.
The Good Traveler Partners with Local Environmental Nonprofit Organizations to Provide Air Travelers with Alternative to Certified Carbon Offsets
Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities Contact
Alicia Cox, alicia@ytcleancities.org
The Good Traveler Media Contact
Theresa Corey, theresa@jetsetoffset.com
Jackson, Wyoming – September 19, 2022 – The Good Traveler announced the launch of a new pilot program in partnership with environmental nonprofit organizations throughout the country. Individuals and businesses now have the option and opportunity to offset the carbon footprint of their air travel through mileage-based charitable donations to hyper-local projects working to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Pilot partners include Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities (Jackson, WY), San Diego Foundation (San Diego, CA), Weed Warriors Nature Stewards Program (Seattle, WA), Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers (New York, NY), and HeartLands Conservancy (SW Illinois) with additional partners coming soon.
The Good Traveler was founded in 2015 by San Diego International Airport (SAN) to help both airports and travelers reduce their carbon footprint. Today, the program has grown to include more than 20 airports, airlines, and fixed-base operators (FBOs) that operate at airports. The program works with these aviation partners to give travelers the ability to purchase certified carbon offsets. All offset funds support emissions-reducing projects in North America that are third-party verified to be of the highest quality. The Good Traveler is currently managed by Jet-Set Offset, a sustainable aviation company that provides the program with transparent, research-based carbon calculations.
“The Good Traveler Program has grown significantly since the Jackson Hole Airport joined and we are excited to see the program expanding on a local level. We hope this encourages new organizations to sign-up and join us in offsetting emissions”, stated Bob McLaurin, Airport Board President.
Public consciousness of the environmental impact of flying grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now that travel has resumed and is nearing pre-pandemic levels, The Good Traveler wants to give travelers climate positive offset options through the purchase of certified carbon offsets or by donating locally to impact home or destination communities. It only takes about one minute to sign up online. Travelers can start by visiting www.jacksonholeairport.com/community/carbon-offsetting. The Good Traveler website now features the option to create a profile and save traveler offsetting preference – certified carbon offsets as the site has always offered, or a tax-deductible donation to any one of the environmental nonprofit partners.
“We are thrilled about this partnership with the Jackson Hole Airport. The Good Traveler’s new offering allows Jackson Hole Airport to support greenhouse gas reducing projects right in their own community. YTCC is looking forward to implementing transportation projects from which residents of Jackson will benefit.” Alicia Cox, Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities Executive Director.
Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities is honored to be now participating in The Good Traveler as a Nonprofit Partner. For more information visit our website at www.ytcleancities.org. Donations will support sustainable transportation opportunities for residents throughout the Town of Jackson.
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.
Charge West Launch Island Park, Idaho
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Emily Her
Email: emily.her@oer.idaho.gov
Phone: 208-332-1663
Subject: Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming ChargeWest™ Event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ChargeWest™ – West Electric Highway Powers-Up Regional Fast Charging for Eight Western States
Date – September 15th, 12-2 pm at 3753 US-20, Island Park, ID 83429
The ChargeWest™ – West Electric Highway interstate partnership will be celebrated in Idaho on September 15th, 3753 US-20, Island Park, ID 83429. ChargeWest™ is an eight state collaborative between AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY and is the largest EV corridor collective in the nation. This highly collaborative western-centric project brings together the intermountain west states with their Governors, Energy Offices, Departments of Transportation, and regional Clean Cities programs. Together, the project combines the efforts of over 75 partners and is funded by the Department of Energy Vehicle Technologies Program and supported by the National Association of State Energy Offices (NASEO).
ChargeWest is committed to improving electric corridors across the western United States; building infrastructure for rural gateway communities, state and national parks, monuments, recreation areas and scenic by-ways through public-private partnership. The ChargeWest™ website provides information on consumer education, laws and incentives with state and federal programming including US DOT’s Charge Forward and National Electric Vehicle Initiative (NEVI) Formula Program with the new Joint Office of Energy and Transportation.
The States of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming will celebrate their EV charging initiatives at 3753 US-20, Island Park, ID 83429, where a new charging station will be installed through the State of Idaho’s Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Program. The first half of the event will comprise of speakers and the second hour will provide the opportunity to view and test drive electric vehicles currently on the market including Tesla models and the Ford Lightning. Speakers for the event include:
- ChargeWest lead, Tammie Bostick
- Idaho Governor Brad Little
- State of Montana Energy Office, Kyla Maki
- State of Wyoming Business Council, Ron Gullberg
- National Park Service, remarks delivered by Alicia Cox of Yellowstone Teton Clean Cities Coalition
- Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative, Clint Washburn
Governor Little, during his 2019 EV Day Proclamation, said that “zero-emission electric vehicles with clean energy produced in our state protects our health while creating new good-paying jobs, especially in rural communities.” The State of Idaho EVSE Program has allocated funding to install 12 fast charging stations along major travel and tourist corridors, including 3 locations under development in Eastern Idaho in Island Park, Driggs, and Ashton.
As a leading western states, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming continue to explore electric vehicle adoption and infrastructure deployments throughout supporting the efforts of the Western Governors Association’s Electric Vehicles Roadmap Initiative, and through REV West .)
“The intermountain west is becoming one of the most visited places in the United States” says Tammie Bostick, Executive Director Utah Clean Cities, ChargeWest™ project lead. “We want the modern traveler to experience the same highways and byways of our western heritage with today’s new electric fuel horsepower. Drivers can ChargeWest™ with range confidence.” Consumers will see over 100 new electric vehicle models coming to market in the next two years with ranges exceeding 600 miles, which will create confidence in traveling with electric vehicles.
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Idaho, Montana and Wyoming Submit State NEVI Plans
Idaho, Montana and Wyoming each submitted their respective state National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program (NEVI) state plan prior to the August 1st deadline. This is wonderful news and the first step towards unlocking the formula funds for each state through the NEVI program. Over the course of the last 6 months YTCC has offered webinars and communicated via this newsletter and social media the various ways to engage with each state agency to ensure your voice was heard during the planning process. This was through communicating each state’s outreach events, webinars, in-person meetings, public comments periods, surveys and draf plan postings. We want to thank each of you who attended and provided your input and insight towards these plans. We also want to extend a huge amount of gratitude toward the state staff who spent countless hours preparing the plans, pouring over the guidance and reviewing all the feedback they received.
At this point, the federal government has until September 30th to approve the plans. Upon approval, each state has access to their NEVI formula funding and can open Request for Proposals (RFP). A caveat to this timeline is that the proposed minimum standards are currently open for public comment until August 22nd. When these standards are approved as final rule, they are a regulation of which NEVI funded projects must adhere. Therefore, states’ cannot offer an accurate RFP until this rule making has occurred. With public comment open until August 22nd, this would only allow the federal staff a little over a month to review comments and establish the minimum standards to meet the September 30th timeline. In reality, this time frame will be a little further out, but hopefully the minimum standards won’t be released too much after the September 30th deadline for state plan approval.
Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities encourages you to make public comment on the proposed minimum standards, these standards include distance between stations, distance from highway, data collection, interoperability and more. Our voices from a rural region are important for those setting the minimum standards to hear and consider.
Please find state plans and or state resources below:
