Localities across the commonwealth agree that the costs of buying electric vehicles and chargers can add up quickly, even for some of the most affluent jurisdictions. Local leaders have said state and federal grants have become vital to the transition statewide, but they also believe there is a long-term benefit for the future.
See the full story in the Virginia Mercury.
More DMV News
Promoters of Clean-Energy Data Centers in Virginia Coal Country Unfazed by Doubters
Energy News Network
Data Center Ridge is the first phase in a sprawling, state-endorsed plan to advance test sites for solar, wind, pumped hydro, small nuclear and other clean energy innovations.
Van Hollen, Environmental Groups Want Polluters to Pay for Climate Damage
Marland Matters
Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen joined other lawmakers and environmental organizations Thursday to introduce legislation that would hold the nation’s largest polluters financially responsible for the costs of the climate crisis.
Virginia’s Largest Solar Array on a School Rooftop Just Came Online
Electrek
Stafford County Public Schools partnered with New York-based Madison Energy Infrastructure (MEI) to install the rooftop solar array at North Stafford High School. It’s made up of 3,300 solar panels, and it’s going to save the school system an estimated $2.8 million in electric bills over the next 25 years. The rooftop will also generate 54 million kilowatt hours of clean energy and offset 41,583 tons of CO2.
James Madison University Professor Links Pollution With Lightning Strikes
The News Virginian
The research offers a look at the potential present-day impact of climate change in the commonwealth and shows that pollution is affecting thunderstorm development, electrification and thunderstorm intensity over time.
National and International News
Low-Income Families Face High Energy Burden, Prompting Calls for More Government Action
Smart Cities Dive
Energy bills are gobbling up significant amounts of U.S. low-income households’ annual income, warns a policy brief released Wednesday by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
US Should Create ‘Virtual’ Electric Transformer Reserve Amid Shortage Concerns
Utility Dive
The federal government should establish a “strategic virtual reserve” of electric transformers to ensure challenges surrounding U.S. manufacturing capacity of the critical grid components do not slow electrification efforts or necessary replacements. The virtual reserve would establish the government as a buyer of last resort if domestic manufacturers experienced a slowdown in orders.
Why EVs Are the Perfect Fleet Vehicles
CleanTechnica
A decade ago, EVs were the cutting edge of transportation, and some people came away wearing bandages. But, today, in 2024, it’s more like driving out west on Highway 66. Many have made the trip before, and there are lots of people along the way ready to help out, give you a map, and provide vital services along the way.
The Hague is the First World City to Ban Fossil Fuel Ads by Law
Electrek
The Hague, Netherlands’ third-largest city, has passed a local ordinance banning fossil fuel advertisements and ads for other highly-polluting services in the city, becoming the first city in the world to do so.
The Potential Merger of Two Steel Industry Titans Has Environmentalists Worried
Grist
U.S. Steel, once the world’s largest company of any kind, can take substantial credit for the growth of American industrial power in the 20th century. Now, the iconic Pittsburgh-based manufacturer is set to be acquired by a Japanese steelmaker, Nippon Steel. It’s already possible to produce steel in a more climate-friendly way, but neither U.S. Steel nor Nippon Steel seems ready to adapt.