What’s New with Electric Vehicles in Washington State: Resources for Local Governments Webinar

Webinar Overview:

As electric vehicles (EVs) grow in popularity, local governments can take advantage of new opportunities to update their fleets and support the build-out of charging infrastructure. Doing so can also help prepare for the future; the Washington State Energy Strategy estimates that one million internal combustion engine vehicles need to be replaced with zero-emission vehicles by 2030 to meet the state’s target for reducing greenhouse gases, and by 2035 all new cars sold in Washington will be required to be EVs. To assist you with this transition, this webinar will cover statewide EV programs, highlighting specific strategies and funding opportunities for local governments.

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Educational Objectives:

This webinar features presentations from the Washington State Department of Commerce, Washington State Department of Ecology, and Washington Green Transportation Program on statewide EV programs. Topics will include fleet transitions, public and private charging stations, educational and technical resources, and funding opportunities.

Who Should Attend?

Local government staff (transportation planners, procurement and public works staff, fleet management staff, economic development staff), elected officials, members of boards and commissions, and anyone else who is interested in statewide EV programs for local government.

Presenters:

• Steven Hershkowitz, Transportation Electrification Policy Lead, Washington State Department of Commerce. Steven is the Transportation Electrification Policy Lead in the Washington State Energy Office (housed within the Washington State Department of Commerce). He provides policy support to the Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council, including leading its effort to develop a Transportation Electrification Strategy. He also helps develop policy elements for Commerce’s community charging and electric vehicle incentive programs, and advises the Governor’s Office and Legislature on actions to accelerate equitable electric vehicle adoption. Before coming to the State Energy Office, he worked on public engagement at the Washington State Department of Transportation.
• Emma Wyma, Clean Transportation Policy Engagement Specialist, Washington State Department of Commerce. Emma recently joined the Commerce team in August, and will be leading the public engagement efforts for clean transportation policy development and program implementation across the state. Emma is a recent Master of Public Policy graduate with a specialization in environmental policy. She has a background in political organizing and climate resiliency and energy policy consulting.
• Josh Grandbouche, Zero Emissions Vehicle Specialist, Washington State Department of Ecology. Josh has been working on research and policy around the intersection of climate change and economics for the past 6 years. He joined Ecology last year and helped to adopt new rules requiring the increased sale of zero-emission vehicles across the state. He also represents Ecology on the state’s Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council and has been involved in developing the state’s Transportation Electrification Strategy. Prior to Ecology, Josh earned his master’s in public administration with an environmental policy focus from the University of Washington.
• Jim Jensen, Senior Bioenergy and Alternative Fuels Specialist, Washington State University Energy Program. Since joining the WSU Energy Program in 2011, Jim conducts research, analysis, technical assistance, and policy support for bioenergy and alternative fuels. He has written roadmaps for the development of renewable natural gas and electric transportation. Jim currently directs the Washington Green Transportation Program, which provides navigational support, in the form of education and technical assistance, to public fleets including cities, counties, transit agencies, school districts, colleges and universities, utilities and PUDs, tribes, and ports.
• Lisa Pool (Moderator), AICP, Public Policy Consultant, MRSC. Lisa joined MRSC in June 2021 after serving as a senior planner for the City of Bellingham, where she focused on long-range planning. Over her 19-year career, she’s worked on sustainability, transportation, and land use planning issues at the city, county, and regional scales. At MRSC, she conducts research on emerging issues and answers questions from local governments on a range of policy and planning issues.