COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY - TAKE A STEP BACK TO PLAN

Holding an undergraduate degree in Environmental Biology, I initially aspired to careers in medicine and research. Yet, life's journey often takes sharp turns in unexpected ways, occasionally circling back.

For nearly four decades, I've navigated the multifaceted world of Municipal Government, transitioning through roles in Finance, Budgets, Administration, Community Development and Engagement, Arts and Culture, Parking, Transportation, and Mobility. Recently, my focus has shifted towards Community Sustainability, embracing Green initiatives and practices. In 2021, my commitment to environmental stewardship was recognized with my appointment as Chairman of the Sustainable Commission for Bethel, CT, aligning with the broader mission of Sustainable CT.

Sustainability encompasses a vast array of responsibilities, from land use and planning to public engagement, requiring a dialogue with the community and actionable steps towards environmental preservation. This mission involves deploying green initiatives to cut consumption, pivot towards renewable energy, and emphasize water conservation, waste management, and energy efficiency. Such efforts are critical across housing, business, tourism, culture, arts, and transportation.

Notably, transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 28%. Addressing this issue head-on, electrifying commercial fleets and encouraging the shift from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles is paramount. Essential to this transition is the development of a robust EV charging infrastructure.

Looking back, in 2010/2011, the federal government's grants enabled municipalities to pioneer the installation of EV chargers, setting the stage for the current electrification movement. My team and I were trailblazers, but despite early adoption, the real momentum for EVs and charging infrastructure gained traction in the 2020s.  The stars and planets seemed to align. Across the U.S. and globally, electric vehicles and chargers became the priority with car manufacturers producing electric vehicles at record rates.  In 2023 this was further fueled by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) allocating $7.5 billion towards electric mobility specifically for the development and expansion of a nationwide network of EV Chargers.

In 2024, as we navigate the complexities of the rapidly expanding EV charging infrastructure, municipalities, driven by a mix of ambition and (FOMO) the fear of missing out, face challenges. The EV Charging market continues to be like the wild west peppered with a lot of confusion. This focused push for municipalities to hurry up and install EV Chargers by legislative deadlines were imposed by the Federal and State Government. In the past several years many municipalities rushed to have EV Chargers installed with no plan or criteria seeking state and federal guidance, advice and standards.  This whole ball of confusion has been a moving target that keeps changing. 

In this twisted race to be first and the perception of FOMO, we are now at what we call a ‘chasm’ or a crossroads and have started to step back, hit the brakes and evaluate what is really going on with the EV charging market.  What we have learned so far over the past several years, is that there is much to consider and evaluate before launching an electric vehicle charging installation such as lack of and/or access to or basic understanding of funding, procurement and supply chain processes, equipment reliability, consistent standards, operation and maintenance, convenient, accessible, safe, and affordable EV charging station locations.

Bethel, a small town in CT, has experienced a population growth of about 14% in the last 10-12 years, with the most significant population increase in the last few years.  Bethel CT embodies the vision of sustainable development, leveraging renewable energy, such as our solar farm (operating since 2018), to power community assets. With limited resources, the Sustainable Bethel Commission, in collaboration with the First Selectman, Dan Carter and local stakeholders, is crafting a multiyear strategy to embrace sustainable practices fully. This strategy encompasses a thoughtful approach to EV charging infrastructure, renewable energy integration, and the transition to electric municipal fleets, ensuring Bethel remains a model of responsible development and community engagement.

In advance of the development of the EV charging multiyear strategy, the team is reviewing current conditions and providing answers to simple questions such as:

1.    Who are the users?

2.    How many locations and where - parking lots, garages, railroad station

3.    Are the locations accessible to all users and emergency services?

4.    How will these operate and be maintained?

5.    What is the expected growth and how will growth be managed?

6.    What type/level equipment will be provided and how are they powered?

7.    What are the risks?

8.    What permits are needed?

9.    Are there easements?

10. What technology will be offered? – dashboard, apps, credit card, coin

11. What is the legislative process?

12. What are the contractual obligations?

13. What is the estimated budget and costs?

14. Are these public amenities or user fee based?

15. What is the vendor relationship?

16. What is the customer service response to the public?

The strategy will include immediate needs, near, mid-, and long-term initiatives: 

·       Public/private partnerships (P3’s) – address current needs and potential growth.

·       Zoning – integrate EV charging language into the zoning regulations.

·       Municipal Fleet– transition the municipal ICE fleet to electric.

·       Revenue generation – pay for operation and maintenance and for future EV charging installations.

·       Phased development – deployment of the town’s EV charging infrastructure will consider neighborhood revitalization, transit-oriented development, and equitable access.

·       Renewable energy – relationship to other renewable energy sources such as the existing solar farm and future solar canopies in parking lots to reduce dependence on the electric grid.

·       Management – Approach to managing parking real estate assets and on street right of way where public access EV chargers are typically installed.

Community sustainability is achievable when all components are working together, there is safe, equitable access, affordability, and convenience.  It is equally important that there be public engagement and input through collaborative planning, education and action from all demographics, businesses, and neighborhoods (including unserved and underserved areas).  The EV Charging network is an important component of the sustainability tree.  There is so much to consider.  It will take a bit longer than expected for behaviors to change and be part of daily life.

Kathryn Hebert, Ph.D.

President and CEO TPMConnect

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