MassDOT Plans to Establish Network of Electric Vehicles Fast Chargers

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BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is reaching out to vendors to establish a network of reliable fast charging stations for electric vehicles (EV) on state roadways. 
 
A Request for Responses (RFR) has been issued which will result in a list of pre-qualified vendors from which MassDOT may select one or more vendors to enter into a pre-development agreement, obligating the vendor(s) to evaluate sites that are identified for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI).  Following the completion of the evaluation and confirmation by MassDOT as to particular sites, MassDOT will then issue a Task Order to vendors which are under pre-development contracts; vendors will then design, permit, build, operate, and maintain NEVI Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) stations at the identified locations.
 
"MassDOT is excited to be taking this step towards a brighter future for our environment and for ourselves with the installation of a state-wide network of reliable fast-charging stations for electric vehicles," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. "Fast-charging stations at convenient locations along major roads will absolutely lead to reduced air pollution, fewer gas-guzzling cars on our roads, and a willingness by people to make smarter choices which will help combat climate change." 
 
Initial Responses to the Request for Responses will be due on January 11, 2024, and the RFR process is expected to conclude in May 2024. 
 
MassDOT will use funding from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program to implement DCFC stations.  This program was established via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed in November of 2021.
The NEVI Program makes funding available to all states for the purpose of establishing a network of reliable fast chargers.  In September of 2022, MassDOT submitted its initial NEVI Plan outlining how the state intended to utilize its allocated NEVI funding.  Core requirements of each NEVI charging station are that they shall have a minimum of four 150 kW Combined Charging System (CCS) chargers, (each able to simultaneously charge at 150 kW) spaced no further than 50 miles apart along the federally designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFC).

Tags: electric vehicle,   MassDOT,   

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Berkshire Planning Commission Approves 'Conservative' FY25 Budget

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Regional Planning Commission has a "conservative" budget for fiscal year 2025 with a nearly 6 percent increase.

On Thursday, the commission approved a $6,640,005 budget for FY25, a $373,990 increase from the previous year.  The spending plan saw less growth from FY24 to FY25, as the FY23 to FY24 increase was more than $886,000, or over 16 percent.

Executive Director Thomas Matuszko said there aren't any dramatic changes.  

"This is very much different than a municipal budget in that it's not a controlling budget or a limiting budget," he said. "It is really just our best estimate of our ability to afford to operate."

The increase is largely due to new grants for public health programs, environmental and energy efforts, economic development, community planning, and the transportation program.

"We have a lot of grants and a lot of applications in. If any of those are awarded, which I'm sure there's going to be many of them, we would shift gears and if we have to add staff or direct expenses, we would," office manager Marianne Sniezek explained.

"But the budget that we have now is conservative and it covers all our expenses."

The budget was endorsed by the finance and executive committee before reaching the full planning commission.

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