Viktor Musil
Montgomery County, situated at the heart of New York state, is set to bolster its infrastructure by installing electric vehicle EV infrastructure charging stations across three of its buildings. Utilizing a substantial $268,000 state grant designated for zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, the county aims to facilitate the transition towards sustainable transportation. Spearheaded by the Montgomery County Business Development Center, this initiative underscores a commitment to environmental stewardship and technological advancement.
Pioneering Sustainable Transportation: Montgomery County’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Initiative
Ken Rose, Director of the Montgomery County Business Development Center, emphasized the necessity of these charging stations, particularly at county-owned facilities. The chosen sites include the Montgomery County Office Building and Annex Building in Fonda, as well as the Health and Human Services building in Amsterdam, ensuring convenient access for both county employees and the general public.
While the county’s current EV presence remains modest, County Executive Matthew Ossenfort acknowledges the significance of preparing for a future dominated by zero-emission vehicles. With a state mandate requiring all new passenger vehicles to be emissions-free by 2035, Montgomery County’s proactive stance towards infrastructure development signals a pivotal step towards sustainability and resilience.
Before the project commences, legal formalities necessitate the execution of contracts with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and efficient project execution. With optimism for a timely implementation, Montgomery County anticipates embracing a future characterized by sustainable transportation solutions.
Montgomery County Secures State Grant for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
The county, centrally located in New York state, will use a $268,000 state grant to build electric vehicle charging stations at three of its buildings. The funding came from a grant for the provincial zero-emission vehicle infrastructure next year.
Expanding Access: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Montgomery County
The Montgomery County Office Building’s 64 Broadway and Annex Building’s 20 Park St. in Fonda, as well as the Health and Human Services building’ 1 Venner Road in Amsterdam, will have charging stations installed. Both the county and the general public can access them.
According to Rose,” That will take care of the three county buildings that already lack charging stations.”
Similar infrastructure was originally installed at the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 200 Clark Drive and the newly constructed Shared Services Facility at 113 Park Drive in Glen.
Although no exact usage statistics were available, Rose claimed that his company’s share of the Shared Services Facility has a plug-in cross vehicle that is regularly charged at the location.
” We’ve had a couple people come to meetings at our office that charged up at our building”, he added.
Just a small number of EVs are currently operating in the county.
Embracing the Future: Montgomery County’s Transition to Electric Vehicles
According to County Executive Matthew Ossenfort, the main concern with buying new vehicles has always been to make sure the equipment is in working order and readily accessible.
“We haven’t made a big move to electric vehicles at this point”, Ossenfort said.
A state law mandating all new passenger vehicles have zero emissions by 2035 will probably change that.
“This is where the world’s going”, Ossenfort said.” It’s wonderful to have grant money to build the infrastructure. Truly, this is a chance for us to stand up and help people get things done.
Before the grant funds are released and the project advances, the county must also legally execute the contract with the DEC.
If the state has selected vendors, or if a proposal request must be made, it’s not clear whether this will be required. According to Rosenstein, vendors are usually accountable for keeping charging stations up after installation.
” I’m cheerful these should be in by this year”, Rose said.
