The Board of Commissioners for Washtenaw County, Michigan, approved a climate action plan in 2022, but was uncertain about the implementation steps and funding needed. To address this, they turned to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program. Mary Braun, an energy and sustainability coordinator for Washtenaw County, applied for the Expert Match offering, which pairs communities with researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to help them address energy goals. This program also helped other communities, such as New Haven, Connecticut, explore how electric vehicles (EVs) can support clean energy goals.
Researchers at NREL and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) assisted Washtenaw County in analyzing the options for electrifying their municipal fleet, while helping New Haven develop an ordinance for zoning and permitting EV charging stations. The goal was to integrate EVs into the communities and establish the necessary infrastructure for charging. By providing data and insights, the experts involved helped these communities take steps towards a cleaner transportation future.
The Expert Match program provided crucial assistance by creating a roadmap for transitioning to EVs in both Washtenaw County and New Haven. With the help of researchers and experts, they were able to identify the types and number of EVs needed, plan charging infrastructure, and draft ordinances for EV zoning and permitting. This was instrumental in laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system in these communities.
Securing funding for the transition to EVs was a key challenge for both Washtenaw County and New Haven. Michigan Clean Cities stepped in to help Washtenaw identify appropriate funding sources, while New Haven leveraged the resources provided by the Expert Match program to draft legislation and secure support from local stakeholders. The aim was to make a strong case for fleet electrification and create a sustainable financial plan for transitioning to EVs by 2030.
The work done in both Washtenaw County and New Haven with the Expert Match program positioned them to benefit from the C2C’s Peer-Learning Cohorts offering. This further enabled them to engage with other communities and learn from their experiences in addressing common energy goals. By leveraging the expertise of national laboratory researchers and local Clean Cities and Communities coalitions, these communities were able to make meaningful progress towards their clean energy ambitions.
Overall, the support provided by the Clean Energy to Communities program has been instrumental in helping communities like Washtenaw County and New Haven navigate the challenges of transitioning to electric vehicles and establishing the necessary infrastructure. By providing technical assistance, data analysis, and funding support, the program has empowered communities to make informed decisions and progress towards a more sustainable and cleaner transportation future.
