Lewis County to receive electric vehicle charging stations as part of $85 million in grant funding

Feb. 5—The Washington State Department of Commerce will fund nearly 5,000 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the state, including several projects in Lewis County.

In a Thursday news release, the Department of Commerce said the $85 million in grants will go to nonprofits, electric utilities, tribes and public agencies. Half of the funding will go toward installing chargers in communities "most at risk of negative health effects caused by fossil fuel pollution."

"One of the most important ways we can make electric vehicles an option for more people is by providing more charging stations. More and more Washingtonians are choosing to go electric, to the point we now have the second highest rate of EV adoption in the nation," Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement. "Thanks to the Climate Commitment Act and other climate investments by the Legislature, thousands more people will be able to choose clean electric cars that are healthier for children and for our planet."

In Lewis County, the award recipients include:

—The Clean and Prosperous Institute, which will install three L2 chargers and three DCFC chargers in Centralia.

—The Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families, which will install four L2 chargers in Centralia.

—The Centralia Downtown Association, which will install one L2 charger and two DCFC chargers in Centralia.

—The Cowlitz Indian Tribe, which will install five L2 chargers in Toledo.

The awards will fund the installation of 4,710 Level 2 EV chargers with 5,362 individual charging plugs and 271 direct current fast chargers with 420 plugs across the state.

"We are committed to ensuring that the benefits from decarbonizing Washington's economy are experienced broadly," said Commerce Director Mike Fong, who added the grants prioritized projects that will add chargers in multifamily housing, publicly accessible locations and in communities highly vulnerable to the health impacts of air pollution.

The grants will fund projects at:

—213 multifamily properties, including apartment buildings

—211 fleets and workplaces, primarily local government agencies and school districts

—141 public locations, such as recreation centers, libraries and grocery stores

"Work is slow in the electrical industry right now, these jobs are a lifeline, for both our members and the environment. It's a good day when you can pay the rent and do something to fight climate change," said Matthew A. Hepner, executive director of the Certified Electrical Workers of Washington, in a statement.

According to the release, the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) assisted the Commerce Department in design and is providing ongoing technical assistance.

"CSE developed this program with Commerce based on Washington state's unique objectives and the experience we have gained from designing and administering EV and EV charging incentive programs for states that are at the forefront of decarbonization," said Evan Wright, CSE director, electric vehicle infrastructure and operations.