March 23, 2022 |
Buried in the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill signed into law last November is a new name for Interstate 80 and the two other interstates in Wyoming. I-80, I-25 and I-90 have been designated as “Alternative Fuel Corridors.”
The distance between being designated an alternative fuel corridor and actually becoming one will be years and lots of money in the making. Title VII of Division J of the infrastructure bill appropriated $9.4 billion for Highway Infrastructure Programs across the nation. Of that $1 billion was set aside for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.
According to new release from the Wyoming Department of Transportation, Wyoming’s portion is $23.9 million over five years. The first tranche of $3.9 million could be available as early as this year.
Wyoming is chasing that funding, and the deadline that goes with it. According to the rules of the National Electrical Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, each state must submit plans for how it intends to use the funds by August 2nd.
To that end, WYDOT has developed a Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy. Public input on the plan will be taken over the next few months at meetings, including one in Rawlins on April 8, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Rawlins Family Recreation Center, 1616 Harshman St.
The federal dollars must be used to develop electric vehicle infrastructure around the state, in particular—charging stations.
What that means is still unknown. Bigfoot 99’s phone call to WYDOT went straight to the top yesterday. This reporter’s questions include:
• What does an electric vehicle charging station look like?
• How many vehicles can charge at one time?
• How long does the longest charge take?
• What accommodations will be included?
• How many charging stations will be built?
• How far apart will they be: Will it be like the “water stops” of the old steam engine days—every 100 to 150 miles?
• How many years to build the infrastructure?
• Is it a good idea to promote electric vehicle travel on I-80 given the extended closures that occur during winter?
Jordan Achs, the Senior Public Affairs Officer at the highway department took my questions and said they were being forwarded to Luke Reiner, the Director of WYDOT.
Pictured above: December 2021 photo of winter weather wreaking havoc on highway and interstate travel in Wyoming. Photo by Cali O’Hare/Bigfoot 99.
In yesterday’s release, Director Reiner states that the charging stations “will not only be powered by Wyoming energy, but will help facilitate tourism around the state.” The director said the state wants people who choose to drive electric vehicles to have safe and reliable ways to charge their vehicles.
No state money will be used to develop or operate the charging stations.
We will have more questions for the director when we talk with him on Thursday afternoon. In the meantime, WYDOT has scheduled a public meeting on the topic in Rawlins. It will be held at the Family Recreation Center on Friday, April 8th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
One final note: Both Senators Barrasso and Lummis were “no” votes on the infrastructure bill. Representative Cheney did not cast a vote.
