Merkley, Wyden Announce $2.6 Million to Boost EV Charging Infrastructure in Warm Springs

Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that $2,556,496 is coming to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to supercharge electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Oregon. This federal investment from the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will improve the reliability and accessibility of charging infrastructure for Tribal communities.

"Electric vehicles mean cleaner air, healthier communities, and a whole lot less climate pollution, and it's important that Tribal communities are not left out of the transition," said Merkley. "I am pleased this Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding will supercharge the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure for Tribal communities and visitors across our region, reducing dangerous carbon pollution that drives climate chaos, and accelerating our clean transportation future."

"This much-deserved investment in the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs recognizes the important role Tribal communities play in the climate crisis battle and the increasing significance of electric vehicles to win that fight," said Wyden. "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that I worked to pass included clean energy infrastructure resources just like this because they're a must for a healthier future, and I'll keep working for similar investments for Tribes and other communities throughout our state."

"The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs expresses our gratitude for the Federal Highway Administration's award of $2.6 million in funds that will allow for the construction and maintenance of electric vehicle charging stations on our lands, said Jonathan W. Smith, Sr., Chairman, Tribal Council for the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon. "We appreciate that this grant supports our sovereign interests by allowing our government to control pricing and benefit from the generated revenue at the charging stations. It falls in line with our long-term vision to take care of the Creator's gifts and sustain our way of life, while also helping us to invest in more jobs, housing and infrastructure for our people."

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program at the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration to deploy EV charging infrastructure and other alternative fueling infrastructure projects in urban and rural communities in publicly accessible locations. This includes downtown areas and local neighborhoods, particularly in underserved and disadvantaged communities. The details for the Warm Springs project can be found below:

1. $2,556,496 for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs' Community EV Charging Project to deploy 18 EV charging ports across two Tribe-owned and operated EV charging stations on Tribe-owned trust land in Central Oregon. The project will provide charging for Tribal members, employees, and visitors through the installation of 10 electric vehicle charging ports and another eight electric vehicle charging ports at the Plateau Travel Plaza.

Additionally, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe is receiving a federal grant to boost EV charging infrastructure in both Oregon and Washington:

1. $15 million for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe's Northwest Tribal Zero Emission Vehicle Charging and Fueling Network to install 172 electric vehicle charging ports across six Tribal sites in Oregon and Washington. Each site will also include chargers for e-bikes and e-scooters. The locations, chosen for their strategic importance along key travel corridors in rural and disadvantaged communities, are designed for future expansion.

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