Thursday, March 28, 2024
39.8 F
Chicago
HomeLatest NewsGovernment leaders join Electrification Coalition for Electric Vehicle Policy Bootcamp

Government leaders join Electrification Coalition for Electric Vehicle Policy Bootcamp

Published on

     Governor JB Pritzker joined local stakeholders for the Illinois Medium- and Heavy- Duty Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy Bootcamp hosted by the Electrification Coalition. The event was an opportunity for Illinois legislators, companies, and environmental organizations to convene to advance Illinois’ commitment to fighting climate change with transitions to zero-emission vehicles. 

“As Governor, I’m working with industry partners to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and to fight climate change,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m excited to welcome the Electrification Coalition to Illinois, as our state’s manufacturing workforce is best-in-the-nation and second-to-none. Together, we have an opportunity to shape the next frontier of electrification – and it starts right here.”

Governor Pritzker delivered the keynote address to kick off the day-long conference, emphasizing recent action to decarbonize transportation and incentivize electric vehicle manufacture and purchase.

In 2023 the Pritzker administration has:

  • Increased EVs on the road by 44%.
  • Awarded $12.6 million to fund nearly 350 fast-charging ports across Illinois.
  • Launched incentives towards the purchase of EVs, offering Illinois residents a $4,000 rebate.
  • Partnered with numerous manufacturers including Manner Polymers, TCCI, and Gotion to ensure career pathways in EV manufacturing.

The Electrification Coalition, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., has held policy bootcamps in other states, including North Carolina, Nevada, and Virginia. 

“The rapidly growing EV industry provides a historic opportunity to grow Illinois’ economy and create new good-paying jobs while securing our clean energy future,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards.

“The Illinois EPA strongly supports Governor Pritzker’s electrification of our transportation sector through prioritization of electric vehicle adoption through various incentive and grant programs,” said Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim. “In addition to our Electric Vehicle Rebate Program, more than $85 million in grant funding has been dedicated to all-electric public transit busses and public passenger/commuter locomotives, all-electric school buses, and light-duty electric charging infrastructure.” 

Governor Pritzker has committed to a state goal of 1 million EV’s on the road by 2030 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Chicago
overcast clouds
39.8 ° F
42 °
36.2 °
47 %
1.9mph
100 %
Thu
50 °
Fri
48 °
Sat
56 °
Sun
52 °
Mon
46 °

Latest articles

Dear EarthTalk: What would a second Trump term in the White House mean for efforts to stave off cataclysmic climate change? —...

Former President Trump has made false claims about climate change and if elected to a second term, he would push for even more extreme environmental policies, potentially setting the U.S. back years in terms of climate change policy.

Grief support services at Lightways Hospice and serious illness care 

Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care offers a variety of free grief support services to help anyone in the community who has experienced the death of a loved one, including support groups, workshops, and events.

Romeoville welcomes three new Restaurants

Three new restaurants, Faiza, Halsted Street Dawgs, and Happy Bites, are opening or soon to open in Romeoville, offering a variety of food for the whole family to try.

More like this

Dear EarthTalk: What would a second Trump term in the White House mean for efforts to stave off cataclysmic climate change? —...

Former President Trump has made false claims about climate change and if elected to a second term, he would push for even more extreme environmental policies, potentially setting the U.S. back years in terms of climate change policy.

Romeoville welcomes three new Restaurants

Three new restaurants, Faiza, Halsted Street Dawgs, and Happy Bites, are opening or soon to open in Romeoville, offering a variety of food for the whole family to try.

State Senators and High School Official Warn of Dramatic Rise in Teen E-Cigarette Use

Two state senators and a local High School District official are raising awareness of the dangers of e-cigarette use among teens and young adults, and are sponsoring a measure to prohibit shipping e-cigarettes to anyone in the state.