U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced Wednesday that the Kansas City-based Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC) was awarded $5.2 million to expand the region’s electric vehicle charging station infrastructure.
The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Low Greenhouse Gas funding opportunity, which will award $171 million for 20 research, development, and demonstration projects across the country. The awards will be given to projects that aim to accelerate the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure and create solutions to reduce emissions from on- and off-road vehicles.
“The people of Kansas City and I are committed to making our city the heartland’s hub for green innovation and clean energy, and this grant funding to support implementation of electric vehicle infrastructure throughout the metro area is another significant step toward making that a reality,” Cleaver said. “Not only will this allow us to cut emissions in our effort to combat climate change, but it will help lower costs for Missouri families as we continue to build back better from the pandemic. I am thankful to the Department of Energy and Secretary Granholm for their investment in the people of the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri, and I look forward to strengthening our partnership as we continue to transition toward sustainable infrastructure.”
MEC’s project will work to lower emissions by bringing local stakeholders together and leading the effort to expand EV charging infrastructure. The project is aimed at facilitating and accelerating the transition to electric vehicles in Kansas City.
“As America’s solutions department, DOE is working with manufacturers and industry partners to reimagine vehicle transportation across the country to achieve our climate goals—from lowering carbon emissions to increasing efficiency and affordability,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “This investment and the innovations that come from it will help shape our clean energy future and strengthen domestic manufacturing that support good-paying careers for hardworking Americans.”