Preparing for Surface Transportation Reauthorization: What’s Next for EVs and Charging Infrastructure
Feb 10th 10AM to 11AM PST
A timely discussion on how the next surface transportation bill could redefine federal support for EVs and charging infrastructure.
With the next surface transportation reauthorization approaching, federal policymakers are poised to revisit the programs, funding structures, and priorities that shape the nation’s transportation system. For the EV ecosystem, this moment will be pivotal. Decisions made in the reauthorization process could redefine how states plan, deploy, and sustain charging infrastructure and influence the long-term trajectory of vehicle electrification.
Join us for a forward-looking discussion on how stakeholders can prepare now. We’ll examine likely areas of congressional focus, potential updates to EV-related programs, opportunities to strengthen infrastructure deployment, and what changes could mean for states, utilities, fleets, and charging providers.
Topics include:
- How surface transportation reauthorization could reshape EV charging programs and funding
- Congressional priorities and scenarios that may influence EV policy
- How states, utilities, and developers can position themselves ahead of policy shifts
Moderator
Cat Plein, Programs and Policy Director, Forth
Cat Plein serves as Programs and Policy Director at Forth, where they oversee the organization’s programmatic strategy and policy efforts to advance equitable electric transportation. With over 15 years of experience growing teams in both nonprofit and corporate settings, Cat brings a collaborative, impact-driven approach to building programs that serve communities and influence transportation policy.
Speakers
Trisha Dello Iacono, Head of Policy, CALSTART
Trisha Dello Iacono oversees CALSTART’s advocacy efforts across the organization, leading a dynamic team to advance both state and federal policies that support the clean transportation industry. Trisha joined CALSTART in 2022 as the Federal Policy Director, focused on influencing the regulatory landscape and advocating for innovative policies that grow the clean transportation technologies at the federal level.
Prior to joining CALSTART, Dello Iacono led the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)’s sustainability and product safety initiatives and was the chief liaison to AAFA’s Product Safety Council and Environmental Committee. Dello Iacono spent the previous decade with Moms Clean Air Force/Environmental Defense Fund, working with Members of Congress to advocate for policies that protect children’s health, with a special focus on electric vehicle policy.
Joshua Rodriguez, Program Director for Environment, AASHTO
Joshua Rodriguez serves as the Program Director for Environment at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), where he oversees the Committee on Environment and Sustainability and the Committee on Transportation System Security and Resilience, guiding national work on natural resource protections, decarbonization, air quality, NEPA, hazardous materials, resilience, and emergency response and recovery.
Mr. Rodriguez also directs AASHTO’s Center for Environmental Excellence, a cooperative agreement between the Federal Highway Administration and AASHTO that advances environmental stewardship and project delivery by supporting transportation agencies through technical assistance, training, and access to environmental tools and best practices.
Danielle Gagne, Co-Founder, CHARGE
Danielle is the co-founder of the Coalition Helping America Rebuild and Go Electric (CHARGE), a nationwide coalition bringing together environmental, consumer, industry, transit and EV advocates to promote smart policies that accelerate transportation electrification and promote alternative modes of transportation. Danielle is also the Director of the CVC and prior to these roles spent over a decade working for both small and large nonprofits, dividing her time between regulatory, legal, congressional, and international work on a variety of policy topics.