Governors Briefs: California to Build EV Fast Chargers and State Prepares for the Upcoming Wet Season

California Set to Distribute $40 Million to Build EV Fast Chargers

SACRAMENTO —  Gov. Gavin Newsom Oct. 26 announced that California is set to distribute $40.5 million in federal funding to build 270 electric vehicle or EV fast chargers at 26 sites along highways. Funded by President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or IIJA, the state is expected to receive more than $380 million to create 6,600 miles of EV corridors, with at least four fast chargers every 50 miles.

This complements the more than $10 billion in state funding for zero-emission cars, trucks, buses, and infrastructure through California’s Climate Commitment. And, it follows the Governor’s announcement that California surpassed both its zero-emission truck and vehicle sales goals two years ahead of scheHOW WE GOT HERE:

Details: https://tinyurl.com/CA-EV-infrastructure-program 

California Takes Action to Prepare for the Upcoming Wet Season

SACRAMENTO — During Flood Preparedness Week, Gov. Gavin Newsom highlighted the state’s ongoing work to prepare for another potential wet winter, including more flood fighting materials prepositioned in vulnerable communities and $95 million in funding recently made available for various projects to repair levees, enhance flood diversion and recharge capacity, and support communities impacted by record flooding this year.

This funding is in addition to the $40 million that was previously provided to the communities of Pajaro and Planada for flood relief this summer, including direct relief to residents and workers regardless of documentation and citizenship status. The Governor, in partnership with the legislature, invested a total of $436 million in the most recent budget to support flood response and projects to protect communities from future flooding.

The $95 million in funding highlighted today includes:

• $67 million for DWR to support critical repair of levees impacted by the storms and flood diversion and recharge enhancements.
• $14 million to the State Water Resources Control Board to support domestic wells impacted by flooding.
• $11.7 million in additional funding for the Storm Assistance for Immigrants project to support direct assistance to Californians experiencing hardship due to the storms from December 2022 through April 2023 and who are ineligible for federal assistance due to immigration status.
• $2.3 million to begin the next phase of a project to repair damage to the Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory in Tulare County operated by the University of California.

Additionally:

• Forecasting and warning data from tools and research developed by the Department of Water Resources or DWR and academic partners this year help keep partner agencies and the public up to date on potential flood threats during storms and inform emergency response efforts.

DWR is participating in events this week to raise public awareness of flood risk and highlight the work by state, federal and local partners to protect communities. 

Details: https://tinyurl.com/Flood-Preparedness-Week