City and state officials gathered in Worcester on Tuesday to celebrate the opening of a new electric vehicle charging station. The station, located at the Xtramart on Providence Street, was made possible through the efforts of energy company Global Partners.
With emissions from transportation accounting for nearly 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in the air, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recognizes the importance of transitioning to more sustainable energy sources. Global Partners CEO Eric Slifka emphasized the company’s commitment to this transition, stating, “Global plans on moving its business into those alternative energy sources… whether they’re electric or renewable liquid fuels.”
DEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple echoed this sentiment, highlighting the role that electric vehicle charging stations play in the state’s decarbonization plan. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has set a goal of having one million electric vehicles on the road by 2023, and convenient access to charging infrastructure is essential in achieving this target. Heiple stated, “We recognize that in order to do that, we need to make it convenient and accessible for people to charge and feel comfortable that they can go about their day in a clean reliable vehicle.”
Global Partners participated in the state’s electric vehicle incentive program and National Grid’s electric vehicle charging station make-ready programs, which provided incentives to support the project.
The new charging station at the Xtramart in Worcester is a significant step forward in promoting clean transportation and reducing emissions. As electric vehicles become increasingly popular, the expansion of charging infrastructure will be crucial in encouraging their adoption and supporting a more sustainable future.
Definitions:
– Greenhouse gases: gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and contribute to global warming.
– Decarbonization: the process of reducing or eliminating carbon dioxide emissions.
Sources:
– Worcester Telegram & Gazette: https://www.telegram.com/
– Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-environmental-protection