WASHINGTON, D.C. — Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle, and Andrea Salinas, announced Tuesday that nearly $120 million in federal funding is coming to the West Coast including Oregon to boost electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
The funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will go toward establishing a zero-emission truck fueling network across the region and support EV infrastructure projects in the cities of Tualatin and Albany.
“Zero-emission vehicles mean cleaner air, healthier communities, and a whole lot less climate pollution,” said Merkley. “The transportation sector is America’s largest source of carbon pollution and transitioning to electric vehicles—as well as zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles—will reduce this dangerous pollution driving climate chaos. This essential funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help Oregon lead the way on heavy-duty charging infrastructure, just like it did with the West Coast Electric Highway for cars and trucks.”
“To make the successful transition to the clean energy economy so urgently needed to combat the climate crisis, Oregonians statewide must have reliable EV charging infrastructure available,” said Wyden. “I applaud this federal investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will help consumers with affordability and convenience. I will continue to fight for more resources to help expand charging stations across the state.”
“A network of abundant, reliable charging stations is the key to electrifying the trucking sector and meeting our climate goals. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, Oregon is well-positioned to lead this effort with the electrification of the I-5 corridor,” said Blumenauer.
“This investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help to significantly reduce emissions along one of the busiest interstate corridors in the country. Decarbonizing medium and heavy-duty trucks is critical to accelerate our response to the climate crisis, and this funding will also create skilled clean energy jobs across the West Coast. I am thrilled to see this transformative investment,” said Bonamici.
“Truck owners and operators that want to invest in cleaner, more efficient cabs need easier access to charging infrastructure for the long distances it takes to get goods to market,” said Hoyle. “This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help expand heavy-duty charging infrastructure, reduce emissions, and create new clean energy jobs up and down the West Coast.”
“Zero-emission vehicles are some of the best tools we have to reduce pollution and fight back against climate change. But first, we have to build the necessary infrastructure and help more families and businesses afford the transition to cleaner transportation options,” said Salinas. “This funding will be used to establish a zero-emission truck charging network along I-5, as well as support the construction of new, publicly accessible EV charging ports in Tualatin and surrounding cities. I was proud to advocate for this investment alongside my Oregon colleagues, and I will continue working to ensure that all Oregonians — regardless of their zip code or income level — can participate in and benefit from the green economy of the future.”
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program to deploy EV charging infrastructure and other alternative fueling infrastructure projects in urban and rural communities in publicly accessible locations, including downtown areas and local neighborhoods, particularly in underserved and disadvantaged communities. The three Oregon projects funded are as follows:
1.$102,389,046 for the West Coast Truck Charging and Fueling Corridor Project, a tristate partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). This project will deploy charging and hydrogen fueling stations for zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles along 2,500 miles of key freight corridors in Oregon, California, and Washington. It will also enable the emissions-free movement of goods connecting major ports, freight centers, and agricultural regions between the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada.
2.$15,000,000 for the City of Tualatin’s Tualatin and Neighbors Charging Up (TANC-UP) program. This project will build 1000 charging ports in 17 cities across Oregon’s North Willamette Valley, including Portland, Beaverton, Gresham, King City, and Lake Oswego. Charging stations will primarily serve low- and moderate-income residents and those who live in multifamily housing where at-home charging access is limited. Chargers also will be built at publicly accessible facilities, such as libraries, parks, and community centers.
3.$1,848,960 for the City of Albany’s 2024 Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program. This project will plan, design, and construct EV charging stations at four locations. One site is a city-owned parking lot serving the Albany Train and Multimodal Center; another will be at a city-owned lot in historic downtown; a third at the North Albany Park & Ride; and the last will be at a commercial area near the corner of Interstate 5 and Highway 99E.
“Our success with this grant is due to the strong partnership among the West Coast states and our national leadership in reducing emissions from transportation,” said Kris Strickler, ODOT Director. “Heavy trucks are a vital part of our economies and this federal funding will give us the opportunity to meet the trucking industry’s need for more modern infrastructure.”
“I’m very excited that the US Department of Transportation selected the Neighbors Charging Up (TANC-UP), led by Tualatin and 16 neighboring cities, as a Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant recipient. This project’s goal is to bring an estimated 500 EV chargers to people with low and moderate incomes in suburban communities in Northwest Oregon and the Willamette Valley. It will help scale the nation’s charging network, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and address gaps in access. I am grateful to City of Tualatin staff, Forth, PGE, and our federal elected delegation who supplied a letter of support. This was truly a regional effort,” said Frank Bubenik, Mayor of Tualatin.
“In the middle of the Willamette Valley, at the intersection of several important state and Federal highways, Albany is very grateful for this generous support as we build our capacity to support electric vehicles visiting and transiting through our city,” said Alex Johnson II, Mayor of Albany.