Page 68 - BusinessWest December 9, 2024

Built for Speed
Fast-charging EV Station Billed as Economic Boost for Deerfield
Rivermoor Energy, a provider of clean-energy development solu- tions for commercial and government customers, recently com- pleted a new electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging hub in down-
town South Deerfield, in partnership with the town of Deerfield and the Federal Highway Administration.
The opening of the charging hub was celebrated with a ribbon- cutting event on Nov. 15. The project was funded by a $2.46 million federal Charging and Infrastructure (CFI) grant, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). It is the first CFI grant proj- ect to be completed in the Eastern U.S. and is also compliant with the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program.
The EV charging hub, located at 59 North Main St., is now open to the public. The charging stations are fully accessible to local EV drivers, by either mobile phone or credit card.
“This is a large step forward for clean energy in Massachusetts and demonstrates the Commonwealth’s leadership in the energy transition,” U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern said. “This project will also serve as a blueprint for others across the state and around the coun- try, showing communities a way to implement innovative technolo- gies and solutions that benefit the environment, the economy, and, most importantly, the people who live in and around these areas.”
The facility includes four new EV chargers — two dual-port Level 3 DC fast chargers and two dual-port Level 2 chargers, for a total of eight charging ports. Electric vehicles will be able to fully charge in 20 minutes or less.
The positive environmental impact goes beyond EVs. In recent years, Deerfield has experienced increased flooding from nearby waterways, including the Deerfield River, the Connecticut River, and Bloody Brook. The project incorporates environmental engineering
designed to mitigate and adapt to the effects of flooding and climate change, including the installation of permeable asphalt and rain gar- dens; planting of native trees, grasses, and shrubs; and creating new green space in the center of Deerfield.
“This project is not only an impactful one for the environment and the advancement of clean energy, but it’s also a boost for the economic backbone of our town,” said Christopher Dunne, Deer- field’s acting town administrator. “With the added accessibility, climate-change mitigation, and new pedestrian walkways leading to downtown businesses, Deerfield can continue to thrive and serve its local business owners and attract new customers to our business community. We thank the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Massachusetts Depart- ments of Transportation and Energy Resources for their support and partnership in the planning and development of this project.”
Center of Activity
As electric-vehicle adoption grows across the country, the fed- eral CFI program advances the development of convenient, reli- able charging stations designed to make it easier for consumers to charge their cars quickly and easily. The town of Deerfield was selected for the CFI grant as a regional business center with easy access for other Western Mass. communities and travelers along Interstate 91.
Acting Federal Highway Administrator Kristin White called Deer- field’s project “a key pillar of the nation’s EV charging network,” adding that “this project embodies the goals of the BIL by deploy- ing American-made clean transportation infrastructure that shows our historic investment in combating climate change for future
“This is a large step forward for clean energy in Massachusetts and demonstrates the Commonwealth’s leadership in the energy transition.”
24 DECEMBER 9, 2024
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