Did you know that nearly a third of households in the U.S. face an uphill climb to drive and benefit from an EV simply because they live in multifamily housing? This is not only a climate and public health issue, but also an equity issue. Research shows that access to reliable, convenient, and affordable EV charging is one of the biggest factors for consumers considering owning or leasing an EV. But are the public charging networks sufficient to meet the need for those without at-home charging? How do different cities stack up when it comes to public charging? And what actions should policymakers take to ensure a smooth road ahead? In this episode of Electrify This! host Sara Baldwin speaks with Ingrid Malmgren, Senior Director of Policy with Plug in America, to discuss the state of EV charging for people living in multifamily housing, key findings from new Energy Innovation research, and innovative approaches states and cities are taking to solving the EV charging gap. Tune in today to learn more!

Guest Bio:

Ingrid has over a decade of experience advancing sustainable energy and transportation electrification through research, utility regulatory proceedings, and legislative advocacy. She began to focus on EVs in 2015, working to demonstrate the benefits of EVs to consumers, the economy, the environment, and the electric grid. Before joining Plug In America, she worked as a senior analyst at Cadmus Group, a lobbyist in the Vermont Statehouse, and a transportation policy manager at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation.

Electrifying News:

• NYC looks to kick its curbside EV-charging plans into second gear (Canary Media), 09/09/24
• Demand flexibility programs ‘need to evolve’ as utilities shift to winter peaking: LBNL report (Utility Dive), 10/09/24
• Decarbonize Your Life (Heatmap News), 09/23/24
• Major Ohio cities aim to cut building emissions with voluntary program (Canary Media), 09/18/24

To dig in deeper, check out these must-read resources:

• The State of Electric Vehicle Charging for Multifamily Housing (Energy Innovation), October 2024
• The Home Charging Experience (Plug In America), January 2024
• EV Building Codes Toolkit (Plug in America)
• 2024 EV Driver Survey (Plug In America)
• The Public Charging Experience (Plug In America), May 2024
• U.S. Department of Transportation, Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Recipients
• The 2030 National Charging Network: Estimating U.S. Light-Duty Demand for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (NREL), June 2023
• U.S. Department of Energy, Tax Credits for EVs and Charging Infrastructure

In the last installment of our three-part series on industrial decarbonization, we explore industrial sector decarbonization and the role electrification can play in achieving net zero goals for a stable climate. Host Sara Baldwin speaks with Blaine Collison of the Renewable Thermal Collaborative about the barriers to electrifying industrial heat processes in the U.S., and the policy, regulatory, and market changes that could put the country on track to electrify more industries.

Guest Bio:
Blaine Collison is the Executive Director of the Renewable Thermal Collaborative and the Senior Vice President at David Gardiner and Associates, where he helps companies and institutions advance renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate change initiatives, including industrial decarbonization. Previously he served as the managing director of marketing and partnerships at Altenex, an Edison Energy company, where he led the development of corporate sustainability services, communications, and strategic partnerships. He also served 17 years with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, with multiple roles in the Energy Star program and a decade leading the Green Power Partnership.

Electrifying News:

• The Race to Decarbonize Heavy Industry Heats Up (Inside Climate News, May 2024)
• Massachusetts kicks off first pilot to shift gas utilities to clean heat (Canary Media, June 2024)
• How heat pumps can turn wasted energy into low-carbon whisky (Canary Media, June 2024)

To dig in deeper, check out these must-read resources:

• Electrification Action Plan (Renewable Thermal Collaborative, 2024)
• Renewable Thermal Collaborative
• RTC Summit (Sept 30-Oct 1, 2024)

Transitioning the industrial sector to run on clean energy through electrification is a critical strategy to decarbonize one of our economy’s largest-emitting sectors. But electric utilities and the power grid must be able to meet increased demand from electrified industries. Effectively managing electrified load from industry requires new strategies and reliance on tried-and-true methods. This episode features Anna Johnson of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) to discuss industrial electrification and its implications for the grid, utilities, and states.

Guest Bios:
Anna Johnson is a Senior Researcher with the Industry Program for the ACEEE, where she conducts research and analysis to support industrial decarbonization efforts. Prior to joining ACEEE, Anna worked at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, in the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program as a conservation planner and communication specialist. Anna earned a PhD in geography and environmental systems from University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and a BA in liberal arts from St. John’s College.

Electrifying News:

• Biden-Harris Administration Announces $20 Billion in Grants to Mobilize Private Capital and Deliver Clean Energy and Climate Solutions to Communities Across America (U.S. EPA)
• Consumers may soon get access to a share of $8.8 billion in Inflation Reduction Act home energy rebates (CNBC)
• Biden-Harris Administration finalized the strongest-ever pollution standards for cars that position U.S. companies and workers to lead the clean vehicle future, protect public health, address the climate crisis, save drivers money (U.S. EPA)
• New Regulations for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Commercial Trucks & Buses (U.S. EPA)
• Biden administration finalizes new rules for power plants in one of its most significant climate actions to-date (CNN)
• Biden-Harris Administration Announces $6 Billion to Transform America's Industrial Sector, Strengthen Domestic Manufacturing, and Slash Planet-Warming Emissions (U.S. DOE)

Must-read resources:

• Enabling Industrial Demand Flexibility: Aligning Industrial Consumer and Grid Benefits (ACEEE 2024)
• Electrification with Clean Power Is Key for a Growing, Competitive Industrial Sector (ACEEE 2024)
• Meeting Growing Electricity Demand Without Gas (Energy Innovation 2024)