Upstate, SC [June 14, 2016] – Through a partnership with Duke Energy, Clean Air Upstate is pleased to announce the J. Dan Powell Electric Vehicle Charging Station Matching Grant Program. The program is named in memory of J. Dan Powell, who was a tremendous advocate for clean air in the Upstate and helped encourage Clean Air Upstate to pursue funding for electric vehicle charging stations prior to his passing in November 2015 after a courageous battle against lung cancer.
There is a total of $15,000 currently available in the program to fund up to five EV charging stations across the Upstate region. Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-receive, reimbursable basis for applicants that meet the program criteria and agree to install a free public accessible electric vehicle charging station in their community.
The Clean Air Upstate air quality campaign was started in 2012 by the Upstate Air Quality Advisory Committee, which is coordinated by Ten at the Top and consists of stakeholder representatives from both the public and private sectors across the Upstate region. Through the Clean Air Upstate campaign, the Upstate Air Quality Advisory Committee has been working to educate Upstate residents, businesses, local governments and organizations on how to help reduce emissions across the region. In addition, the campaign has focused on specific voluntary emission-reducing initiatives to help lower the emission levels in the region.
The J. Dan Powell Electric Vehicle Charging Station Matching Grant Program is the latest emission reduction effort initiated through the Clean Air Upstate campaign. Support of the DHEC Breathe Better No-Idling at Schools program has helped increase the number of Upstate schools participating in the program increase from 14 to 36. Clean Air Upstate also previously helped secure funds for truck stop electrification at the Pilot Gas Station in Duncan and for electric vehicle charging stations in Fountain Inn and Travelers Rest. In addition, a partnership with WSPA-TV, GSA Business, Duke Energy and Bon Secours St. Francis created a public awareness campaign that has been ongoing since 2013.
“We are very pleased that this grant program is able to recognize the memory of a great community and clean air advocate,” said Dean Hybl, Executive Director of Ten at the Top. “Dan pushed our committee and many others at the local, state and national levels to continue pursuing all opportunities available to make our air cleaner.
“This grant program will give local communities another level of support in their efforts to provide electric vehicle drivers with the local infrastructure needed to make using clean vehicles easier.”
For more details about the Clean Air Upstate campaign and tips for how to make our air cleaner, please check out www.cleanairupstate.org.
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