Senator Schumer: Over $700,000 secured for 40+ new electric vehicle charges to be installed throughout Oneida County
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced this week that he has secured $708,229 in federal funding for Oneida County, in partnership with the Herkimer-Oneida Counties Transportation Council (HOCTC) and regional Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), to help install an estimated 41 electrical vehicle (EV) charging stations across the county.
The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program, which the senator created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act.
Schumer said the project will support the growing demand for electric vehicle use, lower air pollution, and reduce the overall environmental footprint of Oneida County by increasing the availability of charging stations in areas where demand is high, but sufficient charging capabilities may not yet exist.
“When I led the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to passage, it was investments like these that help boost the local economy and improve air quality that I had in mind. Oneida County is leading the way to build out our nation’s network of EV chargers, supercharging the fight against climate change and helping on the road to a cleaner electric future,” Schumer said.
U.S. Senator Schumer image.
“Oneida County just got a major jolt from the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to help power up new electric vehicle charging stations in the Mohawk Valley. Electric vehicles are booming in popularity, and for this industry to succeed we need to make it so charging your car is as easy and convenient as filling up a gas tank, and today’s investment will help us to do just that by bringing more charging stations to where people work and gather in Oneida County from Utica to Rome.”
"This grant will provide a major boost to Oneida County's EV infrastructure and help meet growing demand," said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr.
Anthony Picente Jr. image.
"Adding over 40 charging stations to nine county and state-owned locations across Utica, Rome and Whitestown -including the Utica University Nexus Center and soon-to-be-completed parking garage near the Wynn Hospital- will give our community an even more robust network to support the needs of our residents and draw in visitors. I thank Senator Schumer for securing this funding and for his tireless efforts to elevate our region."
Schumer said the federal funding will help Oneida County install EV charging stations at locations identified as having the highest current need in both urban areas and underserved areas.
More specifically, the grant will fund the installation of 41 Level 2 EV charging stations at 9 locations across the City of Utica, City of Rome and the Town of Whitestown.
According to Schumer's office, this first round of funding makes $700 million from fiscal years 2022 and 2023 funding available to strategically EV charging infrastructure and other fueling infrastructure projects and will make modern and sustainable infrastructure accessible to all drivers of electric, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas vehicles.
Headline image via New York State Thruway Authority.
