Federal EV Policy - What's Coming Next!

The first year of the Biden administration has seen a flurry of new policies and investments to promote transportation electrification. Most notably, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) includes billions of dollars of new investment for charging infrastructure, electric school and transit buses, and the electrification of ports and freight movement. As these programs begin to roll out in 2022, additional investments and policies are still under consideration in Congress and federal agencies. 

It can be hard to keep track of all these exciting new developments. Our panel will help clarify the status of key investments and policies already being implemented, and give you a preview of what more we can expect from Washington DC in the coming months

Moderator

Chris Rall, Outreach Director, Transportation for America

Chris has been with Transportation for America since 2010, originally serving as Oregon Field Organizer. Incrementally expanding his role and responsibilities, he became Outreach Director in 2019. Chris runs T4America’s membership program, keeps partners and allies apprised of developments on transportation policy and opportunities for innovation, and guides T4America’s amplification of the local voices so critical to reforming the United States’ transportation system. Before joining T4America, Chris co-founded Green Wheels, a local transportation advocacy organization in Humboldt County, CA, and served as Policy Director for the Healthy Humboldt Coalition. Originally from New Jersey, Chris graduated from the University of California at Berkley, and received his graduate degree from Humboldt State University. He is based in Portland, OR.

Speakers 

Chris Bast, EV Infrastructure Investments Director, Electrification Coalition

Chris Bast is the Director of EV Infrastructure Investments for the Electrification Coalition. He leads the organization’s work to manage and support federally funded charging infrastructure and EV deployment projects at the state and local levels. Prior to joining the EC, Chris served as chief deputy director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. He provided strategic communications and policy support for the agency and worked across the Northam Administration to advance a comprehensive climate agenda. His work included transportation decarbonization, environmental justice, climate policy, and carbon markets. Chris received his undergraduate degree from James Madison University, where he currently serves on the Political Science Alumni Board. He received his MPA from Seattle University.

Josh Cohen, Director of Policy, Greenlots 

Josh serves as Greenlots’ focal point for policy and regulatory engagement in a number of states in the Eastern U.S. and federally. Josh’s priorities include growing the market for transportation electrification and enhancing its value proposition through software-based managed charging, interoperability and open protocols, and equitable access. Before joining Greenlots, Josh served in policy and communications roles at SemaConnect and the Business Network for Offshore Wind, and hosted the clean energy podcasts More Power To You and Offshore Wind Insider. He has also served in a number of public sector leadership positions including as Mayor of Annapolis, Maryland, and as Deputy Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) during the Obama Administration.

Coral Torres, Senior Advisor, Federal Highway Administration

Coral Torres is the Senior Advisor at the Office of the Administrator at Federal Highway Administration. In this capacity, Coral helps the agency with the implementation of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provisions and new programs including, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program and Charging and Fueling Discretionary Programs. Coral has done extensive work at USDOT including implementation of MAP-21 and FAST-Act freight and environmental programs. She also served as FTA’s Strategic Advisor and worked on several special projects including the development of USDOT’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan and development of guidance for federal sustainability efforts at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Coral has a Bachelors Degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico and a Masters in Civil and Transportation Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY.

Diane Turchetta, Transportation Specialist, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration 

Diane Turchetta is a Transportation Specialist in FHWA’s Office of Natural Environment (HEPN), and primarily works on transportation and sustainability issues. Diane has been with FHWA for 20 years in various positions working on a variety of transportation-related air quality matters including energy use, alternative fuels and freight emissions. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from the Pennsylvania State University and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Before joining the U.S. DOT, Diane worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on fuel-related issues.