Sam Krassenstein’s Post

"California is investing an unprecedented amount of funding to build a bigger, better network of charging and refueling infrastructure for zero-emission cars, trucks and buses." The plan is to spend $1.9 Billion in state funding over the next four years as part of the $48 Billion dollar California Climate Commitment. Let's talk about how you can leverage State and Federal funding programs to accelerate your company's electrification plans.

Shout out to Fast Company for highlighting a pivotal detail: the route. Nearly all of the track for this $4.7 Billion, 171-mile mega project “will be in the median of Interstate-15, practically eliminating the eminent domain disputes, utility relocations, and grade-crossings that have plagued California High-Speed Rail.” But with that comes the problem of safe and decent housing for a large-scale workforce. The I-15 is littered with subpar, roadside motels with known reviews that include bed bug infestations! This is also a high “Transient population” corridor which results in break-ins and tool theft. Plus the mega project is expected to open between 2030 and 2033! That’s too long to be performing at high expectations in subpar housing!!! Combined pain points lead to a massive decrease in employee morale! Why is this a concern? Construction Drive recently reported how multibillion-dollar factory projects are pushing construction workforces to their breaking point. In the article titled, “Manufacturing megaprojects gobble up workers”, Sebastian Obando reports: As billions in both public and private money flow into onshoring construction, labor shortages threaten to derail both the manufacturing boom and other construction activity in those hubs, according to industry sources. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dAaTnHJQ This is giving workers more choice and amassing a workforce is getting expensive! In other words, megaprojects in these areas are competing for the same labor, which is already scarce. Workbnb, Inc | Techstars '22 is well positioned to support with safe and decent workforce rental homes and improve the lives of our most essential workers! We believe traveling workers matter and the Workbnb, Inc | Techstars '22 movement continues!!! 🚀🚀🚀 #workbnb #infrastructure #brightline #highspeedrail #vegastech #iija #ibew #workforcehousing #workforcerentals #workforcesolutions Brightline West Trains #workforcedevelopment #workforcetravel #workforcetrends #construction #constructionindustry #essentialtravel #essentialworkers #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #workforce #travel #travelindustry #traveltech #traveltechnology #proptech #techstars #techstartup #laborcrisis #laborshortage #megaprojects #lasvegas #vegasmeansbusiness

In November 2021. President Joe Biden signed into law a bipartisan infrastrcture bill that included the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. More than two years later, only four states — Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and Hawaii — have opened new stations funded by the program. Biden has set a goal of creating a national network of 500,000 publicly available chargers by 2030. Easily accessible charging ports are a key part of his effort to encourage drivers to move away from gasoline-powered cars and trucks that contribute to global warming. That effort took on greater urgency this month as the administration announced new automobile emissions standards that officials called the most ambitious plan ever to cut planet-warming pollution from passenger vehicles. Meeting those standards would require a huge increase in sales of EVs and plug-in hybrids. EVs hit a record 1.19 million in sales in the U.S. last year and accounted for 7.6% of the total U.S. vehicle market, up from 5.8% in 2022. The Biden administration says the federal charging program is on track. “The first two years were about getting the rules right, getting the plans in place,” Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt told the AP. “And now what you’re going to see is this year being about the chargers coming online." As part of the national charging station rollout, the Biden administration awarded $623 million in grants to states, local governments and tribes in January. The grants will fund 47 EV charging stations and related projects in 22 states and Puerto Rico, including 7,500 charging ports. Separately, Walmart and other private companies have pledged to build a network of affordable fast-charging stations for EVs. The federal program is also expected to serve as a catalyst for other projects. But even some of the government’s own experts say 500,000 public chargers won’t be enough to meet Biden’s ambitious climate goals. The Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimated last year that the U.S. will need 1.2 million public chargers by 2030, a huge jump from the 175,00 public charging ports now available, as measured by the Alternative Fuels Data Center, a division of the Energy Department. The availability of charging stations is key to persuading Americans to buy EVs. Driving range anxiety is still an impediment, along with cost. About 80% of respondents cited concerns about a lack of charging stations as a reason not to buy an electric vehicle, according to a 2023 survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago. Seven in 10 said they would not buy an EV because it takes too long to charge and the battery technology isn’t ready.

Scaling electrification requires close collaboration between utilities, state and local officials, and fleets. Read more in E&E News about how we're working to enable high power charging sites across the southwestern US in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Transportation and approaching some of the challenges of building the future of charging infrastructure. https://lnkd.in/e_Wb6Yf3

It's no secret that U.S. infrastructure is aging. Roads, bridges, the electric grid, and railroads have been in place for decades, and in some cases, centuries. Here are three ways TiEnergy helps ensure railways can operate safely and sustainably. https://lnkd.in/gMEiCddr #FederalRailroadAssociation #TIEROC #AgingRailroads

I've been hearing most funding opportunities for zero-emission projects have been scarce lately. Here are a few grants emerging specifically targeting the development of EV trucks and associated infrastructure by POLB! Zero Emission Truck Incentive Programs: ▶ Voucher Incentive Program (South Coast AQMD) Description: Small fleet (<10 trucks) funding for MY 2017 or older truck replacements to alternative fueled trucks Timeframe: Open First Come, First Served Funding Available: Up to $410,000 per zero emission truck Link:https://lnkd.in/gCvUXCj4 ▶EPA Clean Ports Program Description: Eligibility for drayage trucks is 100 truck visits/year Timeframe: Opens Feb 2024 Funding Available: Total: $3 billion Link: Must submit project through South Coast AQMD: [email protected] ▶ Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Fund (CARB) Description: Truck replacements Timeframe: Open First Come, First Served Funding Available: Total: $150 million Link: https://lnkd.in/gUgNk7vq 🔋 Energize (CEC) Description: Funding for charging infrastructure up to stub-out Timeframe: Open Funding Available: Total: $356.4 million Special Requirements: Applicant must provide authorization from property owner if land is not owned by the applicant. Who Submits: Private Entity ▶Charge Ready Transport Program (SCE) Description: Funding for vehicle acquisition and charging stations deployment Timeframe: Ongoing Funding Available: Total: up to $200 million (up to 50% of eligible cost) Special Requirements: Requires a vehicle acquisition plan and deployment of charging stations. Who Submits: Private Entity ▶Carl Moyer Program (South Coast AQMD) Description: Funding for commercial battery charging, marine shore power, and alternative fueling stations Timeframe: Open Dec 5, 2023 - Feb 6, 2024 Funding Available: Various RFPs, need to check website for specific details Special Requirements: Infrastructure funding requires committed funding for equipment Who Submits: Private Entity, Public Entity ▶Clean Transportation Program (CEC) Description: Funding for ZE Equipment and Fueling Infrastructure for drayage trucks Timeframe: Opens Feb 2024 Funding Available: Total: $3 billion (grant ranges from $10 to $500 million with 10-20% cost share) Special Requirements: Eligibility for drayage trucks is 100 truck visits/year Who Submits: Public Entity

National Highways: road investment, connectivity and dynamic EV charging

We are set to make historic advancements in sustainability with a whopping $2.5 billion for EV infrastructure. The federal government's Charging and Fueling Infrastructure program (CFI) will disperse a round of $632 million dollars through 22 states & Puerto Rico. This enables local governments to strategically implement amenities for EVs and micromobility. Charging hubs, bike lanes, and safety for pedestrians are all necessary components to reduce emissions. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation's Executive Director Gabe Klein stresses how crucial solutions like charging hubs and pedestrian safety are for the advancement of EVs and micromobility: "These awards will leverage the creativity and expertise of American communities around the country advancing clean and equitable transportation options through innovative projects like charging and hydrogen fueling for heavy duty trucks on major corridors, electrification at multifamily housing, multimodal charging hubs for e-bikes and scooters, and even pedestrian safety improvements." We are excited to launch more multimodal charging networks for scooters and bikes and play our part in the future of sustainable transport! #infrastructure #sustainability #electriccars #micromobility

On Friday, we revealed the first GRT electric bus, which will begin service next month as part of our zero-emission bus pilot project. Ten more electric buses are expected to arrive this year. This initiative is part of our plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. In 2020, we bid farewell to diesel-only buses and switched to hybrid and electric options. As part of our pilot project, we'll be gathering valuable data on how these battery-operated buses fare on various routes and driving conditions, all while seeking feedback from our valued customers. This information will shape our future service improvements and expansion plans over the next five years. GRT's electric fleet, sourced from Nova Bus, will call our state-of-the-art Northfield Drive Maintenance Facility in Waterloo its home. The facility is equipped with 12 chargers and the buses can be fully charged in just four hours! As more electric buses hit the road, there will be opportunities for the community to see them up close and learn more about the pilot project. We're grateful for the support of the Government of Canada's Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), alongside contributions from the Ontario Government | Gouvernement de l’Ontario. For more information on Grand River Transit’s electric bus program, visit grt.ca. #bus #electricbus #zeroemission #electrification #fleet #goinggreen 

Diesel engine trucks make up a major share of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. Today, the federal government launched a plan to accelerate the building of heavy-duty electric charging infrastructure at scale. The National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy marks a significant step forward in transitioning to zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by prioritizing charging infrastructure along busy freight routes. I applaud the efforts of CALSTART, whose roadmap and recommendations for a phased-in approach align with the ZEF Corridor Strategy. With North America’s two busiest port facilities located in Southern California, Southern California Edison (SCE) has a direct stake in the implementation and ultimate success of the ZEF Corridor Strategy. Separately, Edison Energy is helping multiple large corporations electrify their medium- and heavy-duty fleets. Edison International is proud of the role we continue to play toward meeting our country’s net-zero carbon goals. #cleanenergy #EV #FreightStrategy #netzero