Climate Clips: Area officials endorse new regional electric vehicle planning initiatives

At its monthly meeting, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Board of Directors adopted a resolution to establish an Electric Vehicle (EV) Deployment Clearinghouse and an EV Deployment Working Group to help expand EV infrastructure and increase the use of EVs regionwide.

See the full story at the COG Newsroom.

More DMV News

Md. Energy Administration Offering Low-Income Solar Grant Program
The Daily Record
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) will support the design and installation of solar energy systems for a limited number of low-income households that have received an energy audit and significant energy efficiency upgrades during MEA’s fiscal years 2018 through 2023 Low-to-Moderate Income Energy Efficiency Grant Program.

Montgomery County to Open New Solar-Powered Bus Facility
NBC 4 Washington
Montgomery County, Maryland, will open a new bus facility providing solar power energy to 70 electric buses in the county on Oct. 31.

Virginia Schools Among Top in U.S. to Utilize Solar Energy
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Virginia school divisions are on track to save millions by using solar energy. Over the past two years, the solar capacity of Virginia’s K-12 schools has more than doubled, according to data from Charlottesville-based advocacy organization Generation180.

U.S. Invests in Multi-State Offshore Wind Hubs to Narrow Supply Gaps
Reuters
A new federal-state initiative to build regional offshore wind infrastructure could offer faster access to local components and push the U.S. closer to President Biden’s climate goals.

National and International News

Money Approved for States to Build Car-Charging Network
AP News
The Biden administration said Wednesday it has approved ambitious plans by 34 states and Puerto Rico to create a national electric vehicle charging network as the U.S. begins in earnest its transition away from gas-powered transportation.

Clean Energy Just Got a Lot More Cost-Competitive, Report Says
Washington Post
The Inflation Reduction Act will cause the cost of renewable energy to decline dramatically over the next decade, according to an analysis shared exclusively with The Climate 202.

An Oily Challenge: Evict Stinky Old Furnaces in Favor of Heat Pumps
New York Times
In the United States, the Biden administration is trying to hasten that shift with billions of dollars in tax rebates to electrify buildings and make them more energy efficient.

An EV With 600 Miles of Range Is Tantalizingly Close
Inside Climate News
CATL, one of the world’s leading makers of EV batteries, has announced that its next-generation battery has a range of 621 miles and will debut early next year.

Senate Democrats Set Action on Kigali Climate Treaty
E&E News
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday moved to take up the so-called Kigali Amendment next week, putting the chamber on track to ratify its first climate treaty in decades.