WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, December 14th, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm traveled to Takoma Park, Maryland alongside U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to unveil the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation – a direct result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to establish a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers. The Secretaries made the announcement at RS Automotive Inc., the first former gas station in the United States that now features 100% electric vehicle charging. RS Automotive is an example of the types of investments that cities and states can make with funds received from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to accelerate the electrification of the American automotive industry, advance the clean energy transition and create good-paying jobs.  

IN THE MEDIA

CNN: Energy and Transportation departments team up to help states develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure 

In a statement to CNN, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm called the new office a "significant milestone" in the administration's overall electric vehicle goals. 

"Not only are we helping to protect our planet from the dangers of climate change, but we are also facilitating a shift in the accessibility of electric vehicle charging and creating good-paying jobs that support the manufacturing of sustainable technologies right here at home," Granholm said in a statement to CNN. 

WUSA9 (CBS): Buttigieg, Granholm visit electric vehicle charging station in Takoma Park, Md. 

“Part of President Biden’s vision is to address two problems – one is the anxiety people might feel if they buy an electric vehicle and don’t necessarily have a place that is close by to be able to charge, and the second is the cost of electric vehicles overall,” Secretary Granholm said during remarks Tuesday.  

Maryland Matters: Biden Administration Officials Fan Out in Md. to Promote Electric Vehicles 

The two cabinet secretaries have signed a memorandum of understanding to create a Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, which would help to distribute $7.5 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure law that President Biden (D) signed earlier this fall. 

“We are embarking on a transformative path to modernize the way we get to around in this country, making sure all Americans have the option to choose electric vehicles and spend less at the pump while making our air healthier,” Granholm said. 

Plug-In Sites: Pete Buttigieg and Jennifer Granholm Make Announcement from Maryland EV Charging Station 

Secretary Buttigieg and Secretary Granholm traveled to RS Automotive in Takoma Park to make the announcement. They arrived in an electric Ford Mustang Mach-E with Buttigieg behind the wheel. Secretary Granholm quipped that the Transportation Secretary is an excellent driver and that the ride over was smooth and quiet because they were in an all-electric car which is part of the Federal fleet. 

Source of the Spring: Buttigieg, Granholm Visit RS Automotive 

“Our two agencies will work together to deliver on President Biden’s historic investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, starting today with a joint project to build hundreds of thousands of electric vehicle charging stations, to tackle the climate crisis and create manufacturing and construction jobs at the same time,” Granholm said in a statement.  

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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