said Scott Osterman, Director, Montana Department of Commerce.[/font][font=muli, sans-serif]
- [font=muli, sans-serif][font=muli, sans-serif]GBP Enterprises, Gardiner: One fast-charging station at the Gardiner Travel Center[/font][/font]
- [font=muli, sans-serif][font=muli, sans-serif]Missoula Electric Cooperative, Seeley Lake: One fast-charging station and one Level 2 charger at the Seeley Lake Community Foundation[/font][/font]
- [font=muli, sans-serif][font=muli, sans-serif]NorthWestern Energy, Big Timber, Billings, Conrad, Deer Lodge, Dillon, Great Falls, Hamilton, Hardin and Helena: One fast-charging station and one Level 2 charger at a Town Pump in each community[/font][/font]
- [font=muli, sans-serif][font=muli, sans-serif]Town Pump, Eureka, Kalispell and Libby: One fast-charging station and one Level 2 charger at a Town Pump in each community[/font][/font]
[font=muli, sans-serif]said DEQ Director Chris Dorrington.[/font][/font]
[font=muli, sans-serif]said Katy Guengerich, owner of the Gardiner Travel Center.[/font][/font]
[font=muli, sans-serif]The funding will bring electric vehicle charging station technology to rural communities that attract tourists.[/font]
[font=muli, sans-serif]said Mark Hayden, General Manager, Missoula Electric Cooperative.[/font][/font]
[font=muli, sans-serif][font=muli, sans-serif]said Jim Kenneally of Town Pump.
[font=muli, sans-serif][font=muli, sans-serif]Town Pump Convenience Stores with charging stations are open 24 hours a day and offer public restrooms, food, beverages and a casino. Charging stations in Big Timber, Conrad, Hamilton and Helena are located next to a Town Pump operated hotel.[/font][/font]
said NorthWestern Energy Manager of Energy Efficiency and DSM Services Danie Williams.
[font=muli, sans-serif][font=muli, sans-serif]In 2020, DEQ also awarded funding for 16 Level 2 charging stations and three fast-charging stations using a portion of the Volkswagen Settlement funds. While fast-charging stations are important to travel long distances with short charging stops, Level 2 chargers also play important roles. The Level 2 chargers funded by DEQ are located in key downtown or destination locations. Charging times are longer with Level 2 stations, but they encourage electric vehicle drivers to plug in and explore the surrounding area which helps drive business to local stores and restaurants.[/font][/font]
[font=muli, sans-serif][/font].[/font]
[font=muli, sans-serif][font=muli, sans-serif]The stations are funded through the Volkswagen settlement funds, which are intended to reduce harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions that contributes to unheal[/font]thy air. Montana received $12.6 million from the national Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Settlement. The settlement against Volkswagen concerned the use of devices installed in certain Volkswagen diesel cars sold between 2009-2016 that were intended to defeat emissions tests. These devices allowed the vehicles to emit up to 40 times the level of NOx pollution allowed under the Clean Air Act.[/font]
[font=muli, sans-serif]The Montana Department of Transportation said that anticipated future federal programs can build on charging infrastructure funded through the Volkswagen Settlement funds. Community and private support for charging station infrastructure will also be critical to increasing the use of electric vehicles in Montana.[/font]
