NWI Times: Indiana begins planning for widespread rollout of electric vehicle charging stations
IndyStar: A transition to electric vehicle manufacturing could lead to thousands of new jobs for Indiana
ICYMI: Sen. Rob Portman: Infrastructure Bill Will Fight Inflation
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today celebrated the brighter future President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (The Jobs Act) is creating for the Hoosier State. This time, the infrastructure law’s $100 million investment to the state’s electric vehicle (EV) system is set to transform the future of Indiana’s auto industry and families across the state. The state announced its plan to invite businesses to submit input on how to maximize Indiana’s future EV charging network. This network will provide Hoosiers who own EVs numerous sites to “charge up” in their neighborhoods and communities.
The best part: The Jobs Act is expected to create good, union jobs and improve on the state’s F-rated quality of life for families.
U.S. Congressmen André Carson and Frank Mrvan joined President Biden by voting “YES” on The Jobs Act last fall. Thanks to this once-in-a-generation law, investments on Indiana’s infrastructure systems will create union jobs for workers, expand the state’s EV charging network, and create a brighter future for Hoosies in all 92 counties. Indiana Democrats will celebrate The Jobs Act across the state during the 2022 state and federal elections.
In contrast, not one Indiana Republican in Congress supported The Jobs Act. Despite GOP U.S. Senator Rob Portman confirming this infrastructure law would combat inflation, Indiana Republicans like Todd Young voted “NO” – putting politics ahead of a plan to create a brighter future for Hoosier families. The Indiana GOP has no plan for voters, just partisanship.
For more information about The Jobs Act, please click here.
NWI Times: Indiana begins planning for widespread rollout of electric vehicle charging stations
The state of Indiana is beginning the process of deciding where and how to deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and related equipment funded by the 2021 federal infrastructure law. […]
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates $14.7 million this year, and up to $100 million over five years, for Indiana to invest in Level 3 DC Fast Charge charging stations along federally designated alternative fuel corridors.
The federal government also is due to award up to $2.5 billion in competitive grants to states, local governments and other entities to pay for the installation of EV charging and alternative fuel infrastructure. […]
Indiana’s EV efforts are part of a nationwide initiative to create a network of at least 500,000 reliable chargers across the country to support the widespread adoption of EVs.
Among Hoosier lawmakers, the initiative was backed in Congress only by U.S. Reps. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, and Andre Carson, D-Indianapolis.
Voting no on the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, were U.S. Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Mike Braun, R-Ind., along with the seven Republicans representing other Indiana regions in the U.S. House.
IndyStar: A transition to electric vehicle manufacturing could lead to thousands of new jobs for Indiana, while the shift to zero-emission vehicles could provide billions of dollars in public health benefits, according to new studies. […]
Environmental experts say manufactures must find a more holistic approach that moves away from a legacy of pollution that disproportionally affects low-income and minority neighborhoods.
State and local officials, meanwhile, need to act quickly to keep up with neighboring states such of Michigan and Ohio in the race to capitalize on the new opportunities that could be transformative for the Indiana economy and environment.
“We are really kind of at a fork in the road when it comes to significant investments in the state,” state senator J.D. Ford said. “We’re not going to see another opportunity on EV infrastructure as we have now.”
The MIT Roosevelt Project recently released its study on the future of the auto industry as it transitions into electric vehicles and found Indiana, Michigan and Ohio could see 3.1 million new jobs — 265,000 of them in manufacturing — over the next 30 years if the right federal policies are put in place.
Other job sectors that also would benefit include dealerships, repair and maintenance, and auto parts stores. […]
Michigan and Ohio are lightyears ahead of Indiana when it comes to electric vehicle production, Ford said. With federal funding now coming in, he said, Indiana must get serious about charting the state’s role in the new industry.
“Indiana is going to receive $100 million for EV charging, and more will be available in grant funding,” Ford said. “The work we are doing is critical.”
The money Ford mentioned is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act the U.S. Congress passed in November. […]
The cumulative health benefits for Hoosiers by 2050 include avoiding more than 3,000 pre-mature deaths, the study says. The lung association used statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency to calculate mortality.
While cutting pollution rates would benefit all Americans, the study notes current emissions also create public health and environmental disparities in lower-income communities and communities of color. […]
While Ohio and Michigan are moving much faster than Indiana on the EV transition, Ford said the jobs the state will be competing for pay as well, and that Hoosiers will benefit from the technology.
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