By Mat Carlile
The Utah Division of Air Quality is proud to be administering the new Workplace Electric Vehicle Charging Funding Assistance Program, which launches on Sept 16. The program will provide financial assistance of up to 50 percent toward the purchase and installation of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) to Utah’s businesses, non-profit organizations, and non-State government entities.
Background
The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. Utah has three areas that are designated as nonattainment for the NAAQS for Ozone and three areas that are designated as nonattainment for the NAAQS for fine particulate (or PM2.5). In an effort to reduce emissions and improve air quality throughout Utah, Governor Hebert’s proposed budget for this fiscal year (FY 2020) included $100 million for air quality improvement projects. During its 2019 session, the Legislature reviewed several air quality improvement strategies and identified several air quality incentive initiatives that would, if funded, result in emission reductions throughout Utah. One of the initiatives that received funding was financial assistance for the purchase and installation of EVSE throughout the state. The Legislature appropriated about $7 million to be used to incent the installation of EVSE statewide. Of this total, $2 million dollars went to the Department of Administrative Services for EVSE to be installed at state agencies, and almost $5 million went to the Division of Air Quality for EVSE to be installed at businesses, non-profits, and non-state government entities.
Why EVSE?
Motor vehicle emissions are a significant source of pollution, accounting for 40 percent wintertime emissions in the Salt Lake City PM2.5 nonattainment area. Emissions from motor vehicles include nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds – key contributors to both PM2.5 and ozone formation.
Because electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions, they help mitigate our winter and summer pollution challenges.
In 2018 the State of Utah developed an Electric Vehicle (EV) Master Plan. The Plan acts as a guiding vision and best practices document to help state agencies and other interested parties in the implementation of EV technologies throughout Utah. The Workplace Electric Vehicle Charging Funding Assistance Program was created to complement the framework of the Master Plan.
Program Eligibility and Participation
DAQ will begin accepting applications for the Workplace Electric Vehicle Charging Funding Assistance Program on Sept. 16, 2019. Funding will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Qualifying applicants will receive preliminary approval for their project and will then be asked to provide additional project information and documentation before reimbursement will be issued.
Eligible applicants may receive the following funding support:
businesses and non-profit: 50% of the cost to purchase and install eligible light-duty EVSE up to a maximum of $75,000.
governments[1]: 50% of the cost to purchase and install eligible light-duty EVSE with a maximum support level to be determined by DAQ.
More information is available at evse.utah.gov.
I have worked with the Utah Division of Air Quality for 14 years. I have a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Brigham Young University. My wife Carrie and I have four children. I love reading, investigating history, traveling, and playing basketball, volleyball, football, and ultimate Frisbee.
[1] Agencies within the Executive Branch of the State are excluded from participating in this program.