O’Halleran, Burgess reintroduce bill to create jobs in electric vehicle market

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Tom O’Halleran, D-Ariz., and U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess, R-Texas, have introduced H.R. 4326, the Electric Vehicle Mobility Area Planning Act.

The bill would create a $10 million grant program to assist localities and electric utilities to identify the locations for electric vehicle charging stations in their communities. The bill was previously introduced last Congress.

O’Halleran and Burgess’ bipartisan legislation will help ensure that rural areas are not left out of investments in electric vehicle infrastructure and will spur the creation of manufacturing jobs in the electric vehicle sector. The grant program will assist communities in saving money on transportation costs, reducing environmental impacts from tailpipe emissions, and gaining access to new, cutting edge transportation technology. The grants will produce publicly accessible information, allowing consumers and developers to make the best planning and investment decisions for their area’s needs. 

 “As new investments are made in electric vehicles, we must ensure that rural areas are not left behind,” O’Halleran said. “With several automated car manufacturing facilities already contributing to the economy of our growing state, this bipartisan bill will support communities and the private sector as they identify priority areas to make the best investments in EV infrastructure. Our bill will help lower emissions, combat climate change, and create new, good-paying jobs for Arizonans.”

The legislation has received the support of industry experts as well as energy and climate non-profits:

● Jim Matheson, CEO, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

● Elgie Holstein, senior director for Strategic Planning, Environmental Defense Fund

● Desmarie Waterhouse, vice president of Government Relations and counsel, American Public Power Association

● Heather Reams, executive director, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions

● Brian Wolff, executive vice president, Public Policy and External Affairs, Edison Electric Institute

“With the advancement of America’s electric vehicle fleet, more and more Americans are choosing this innovative technology for their personal vehicle,” Burgess said. “To remain competitive, EV owners, utility operators, and EV charging developers are demanding the latest information as they work to establish tomorrow’s EV charging system throughout the United States. The EV MAP Act will provide grants to develop highly valuable maps necessary to produce the needed data to place these stations. This allows better decisions within a free market, without massive taxpayer spending or heavy-handed federal mandates.”

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