,i #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #abba ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,february #bc1 #bjba,ms4 ,clarke of ,new ,york 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,blumenauer1 ,ms4 ,norton1 ,mr4 ,grijalva1 ,ms4 ,barragn1 ,ms4 ,pingree1 ,mr4 ,welch1 ,mr4 ,carson1 ,mr4 ,cleaver1 ,mr4 ,jones1 ,ms4 ,moore of ,wisconsin1 ,mr4 ,sires1 ,ms4 ,velzquez1 ,mr4 ,hastings1 ,ms4 ,speier1 ,mrs4 ,watson ,coleman1 ,mr4 ,thompson of ,mississippi1 ,mr4 ,carbajal1 ,mr4 ,ryan1 ,mr4 ,pocan1 ,ms4 ,meng1 ,ms4 ,waters1 ,mr4 ,raskin1 and ,ms4 ,matsui7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to increase deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in low-income communities and communities of color1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,electric ,vehicles for ,underserved ,communities ,act of #bjba4 #b4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,the transportation sector is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the ,united ,states4 7#b7 ,the transportation sector is also a major source of air pollution in the ,united ,states1 including over #ee percent of total nitrogen oxide emissions1 leading to poor air quality and negative health impacts1 particularly in urban areas4 7#c7 ,increasing the deployment of electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging infrastructure is an essential component of combating climate change1 decarbonizing the economy1 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and health-harming air pollution in the ,united ,states4 7#d7 ,industries relating to electric vehicles1 electric vehicle charging infrastructure1 and the larger clean energy economy are substantial and diverse sources of good jobs and significant contributors to economic growth4 7#e7 ,a substantial increase in electric vehicle charging infrastructure1 including publicly accessible charging stations1 will ensure that our communities are ready to meet the demands of expected electric vehicle adoption as we decarbonize our economy4 7#f7 ,low-income communities1 communities of color1 and ,tribal communities bear disproportionate climate change and pollution burdens1 yet have historically received the least investment in clean technologies and resilient infrastructure4 ,therefore1 such communities must be among the first to receive investment relating to new technologies and infrastructure that address the climate crisis and mitigate localized environmental pollution4 #c4 ,expanding access to electric vehicles in underserved and disadvantaged communities 7a7 ,in general 7#a7 ,assessment ,the ,secretary shall conduct an assessment of the state of1 challenges to1 and opportunities for the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in underserved or disadvantaged communities located throughout the ,united ,states4 7#b7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate a report on the results of the assessment conducted under paragraph 7#a71 which shall-- 7,a7 describe the state of deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in underserved or disadvantaged communities located in urban1 suburban1 and rural areas1 including description of-- 7i7 the state of deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure that is-- 7,i7 publicly accessible2 7,,ii7 installed in or available to occupants of public and affordable housing2 7,,iii7 installed in or available to occupants of multi-unit dwellings2 7,,iv7 available to public sector and commercial fleets2 and 7,v7 installed in or available at places of work2 7ii7 policies1 plans1 and programs that cities1 ,states1 utilities1 and private entities are using to encourage greater deployment and usage of electric vehicles and the associated electric vehicle charging infrastructure1 including programs to encourage deployment of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations and electric vehicle charging stations available to residents in publicly owned and privately owned multi-unit dwellings2 7iii7 ownership models for ,level #b charging stations and ,,dc ,,fast charging stations located in residential multi-unit dwellings1 commercial buildings1 and publicly accessible areas2 7iv7 mechanisms for financing electric vehicle charging stations2 and 7v7 rates charged for the use of ,level #b charging stations and ,,dc ,,fast charging stations2 7,b7 identify current barriers to expanding deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in underserved or disadvantaged communities in urban1 suburban1 and rural areas1 including barriers to expanding deployment of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure2 7,c7 identify the potential for1 and barriers to1 recruiting and entering into contracts with locally owned small and disadvantaged businesses1 including women and minority-owned businesses1 to deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure in underserved or disadvantaged communities in urban1 suburban1 and rural areas2 7,d7 compile and provide an analysis of best practices and policies used by ,state and local governments1 nonprofit organizations1 and private entities to increase deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in underserved or disadvantaged communities in urban1 suburban1 and rural areas1 including best practices and policies relating to-- 7i7 public outreach and engagement2 7ii7 increasing deployment of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure2 and 7iii7 increasing deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in publicly owned and privately owned multi-unit dwellings2 7,e7 to the extent practicable1 enumerate and identify in urban1 suburban1 and rural areas within each ,state with detail at the level of ,,zip ,codes and census tracts-- 7i7 the number of existing and planned publicly accessible ,level #b charging stations and ,,dc ,,fast charging stations for individually owned light-duty and medium-duty electric vehicles2 7ii7 the number of existing and planned ,level #b charging stations and ,,dc ,,fast charging stations for public sector and commercial fleet electric vehicles and medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles2 and 7iii7 the number and type of electric vehicle charging stations installed in or available to occupants of public and affordable housing2 and 7,f7 describe the methodology used to obtain the information provided in the report4 7b7 ,five-,year update assessment ,not later than #e years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 update the assessment conducted under subsection 7a77#a72 and 7#b7 make public and submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate a report1 which shall-- 7,a7 update the information required by subsection 7a77#b72 and 7,b7 include a description of case studies and key lessons learned after the date on which the report under subsection 7a77#b7 was submitted with respect to expanding the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in underserved or disadvantaged communities in urban1 suburban1 and rural areas4 #d4 ,electric vehicle charging equity program 7a7 ,program ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish a program1 to be known as the ,,ev ,charging ,equity ,program1 to increase deployment and accessibility of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in underserved or disadvantaged communities by-- 7#a7 providing technical assistance to eligible entities described in subsection 7e72 and 7#b7 awarding grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities described in subsection 7e7 for projects that increase such deployment and accessibility of electric vehicle charging infrastructure1 including projects that are-- 7,a7 publicly accessible2 7,b7 located within or are easily accessible to residents of-- 7i7 public or affordable housing2 7ii7 multi-unit dwellings2 or 7iii7 single-family homes2 and 7,c7 located within or easily accessible to places of work1 provided that such electric vehicle charging infrastructure is accessible no fewer than #e days per week4 7b7 ,cost share 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 the amount of a grant awarded under this section for a project shall not exceed #hj percent of project costs4 7#b7 ,single-family homes ,the amount of a grant awarded under this section for a project that involves1 as a primary focus1 single-family homes shall not exceed #fj percent of project costs4 7c7 ,limitation ,not more than #ae percent of the amount awarded for grants under this section in a fiscal year shall be awarded for projects that involve1 as a primary focus1 single-family homes4 7d7 ,priority ,in awarding grants and providing technical assistance under this section1 the ,secretary shall give priority to projects that-- 7#a7 provide the greatest benefit to the greatest number of people within an underserved or disadvantaged community2 7#b7 incorporate renewable energy resources2 7#c7 maximize local job creation1 particularly among low-income1 women1 and minority workers2 or 7#d7 utilize or involve locally owned small and disadvantaged businesses1 including women and minority-owned businesses4 7e7 ,eligible entities 7#a7 ,in general ,to be eligible for a grant or technical assistance under the ,,ev ,charging ,equity ,program1 an entity shall be-- 7,a7 an individual or household that is the owner of where a project will be carried out2 7,b7 a ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 or ,territorial government1 or an agency or department thereof2 7,c7 an electric utility1 including-- 7i7 a municipally owned electric utility2 7ii7 a publicly-owned electric utility2 7iii7 an investor-owned utility2 and 7iv7 a rural electric cooperative2 7,d7 a nonprofit organization or institution2 7,e7 a public housing authority2 7,f7 an institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #bb #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja72 7,g7 a local small or disadvantaged business2 or 7,h7 a partnership between any number of eligible entities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,g74 7#b7 ,updates ,the ,secretary may add to or otherwise revise the list of eligible entities under paragraph 7#a7 if the ,secretary determines that such an addition or revision would be beneficial to increasing deployment and accessibility of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in underserved or disadvantaged communities4 7f7 ,public notice and request for applications ,the ,secretary shall publish in the ,federal ,register1 and such other publications as the ,secretary considers to be appropriate1 a notice and request for applications to carry out projects under the ,,ev ,charging ,equity ,program4 7g7 ,education and outreach 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out the ,,ev ,charging ,equity ,program1 the ,secretary shall establish an education and outreach component of such ,program to ensure that information regarding such ,program and the benefits and opportunities for electric vehicle charging is made available to individuals and relevant entities that live within or serve underserved or disadvantaged communities4 7#b7 ,requirements ,at a minimum1 the education and outreach component of the ,,ev ,charging ,equity ,program established under this subsection shall include-- 7,a7 the development and dissemination of an electric vehicle charging resource guide that is-- 7i7 maintained electronically on a website2 7ii7 available to the public1 free of charge2 and 7iii7 directed specifically towards individuals and relevant entities that live within or serve underserved or disadvantaged communities2 7,b7 targeted outreach towards1 and coordinated public outreach with1 relevant local1 ,state1 and ,tribal entities1 nonprofit organizations1 and institutions of higher education1 that are located within or serve underserved or disadvantaged communities2 and 7,c7 any other such forms of education or outreach as the ,secretary determines appropriate to increase awareness of and access to the ,,ev ,charging ,equity ,program4 7h7 ,reports to ,congress ,not later than #a year after the ,,ev ,charging ,equity ,program is established under this section1 and not less frequently than once every #b years after that1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate1 and make publicly available1 a report on the status of the ,,ev ,charging ,equity ,program1 including a list and description of projects that have received grant awards or technical assistance1 and of the funding or assistance provided to such projects4 7i7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #if1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjcj4 #e4 ,ensuring program benefits for underserved and disadvantaged communities ,in administering a relevant program1 the ,secretary shall1 to the extent practicable1 invest or direct available and relevant programmatic resources so that such program-- 7#a7 promotes electric vehicle charging infrastructure2 7#b7 supports clean and multi-modal transportation2 7#c7 provides improved air quality and emissions reductions2 and 7#d7 prioritizes the needs of underserved or disadvantaged communities4 #f4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,electric vehicle charging infrastructure ,the term electric vehicle charging infrastructure means electric vehicle supply equipment1 including any conductors1 electric vehicle connectors1 attachment plugs1 and all other fittings1 devices1 power outlets1 or apparatuses installed specifically for the purposes of delivering energy to an electric vehicle4 7#b7 ,publicly accessible ,the term publicly accessible means1 with respect to electric vehicle charging infrastructure1 electric vehicle charging infrastructure that is available1 at zero or reasonable cost1 to members of the public for the purpose of charging a privately owned or leased electric vehicle1 or electric vehicle that is available for use by members of the general public as part of a ride service or vehicle sharing service or program1 including within or around-- 7,a7 public sidewalks and streets2 7,b7 public parks2 7,c7 public buildings1 including-- 7i7 libraries2 7ii7 schools2 and 7iii7 government offices2 7,d7 public parking2 7,e7 shopping centers2 and 7,f7 commuter transit hubs4 7#c7 ,relevant program ,the term relevant program means a program of the ,department of ,energy1 including-- 7,a7 the ,state energy program under part ,d of title ,,iii the ,energy ,policy and ,conservation ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fcba et seq472 7,b7 the ,clean ,cities program2 7,c7 the ,energy ,efficiency and ,conservation ,block ,grant ,program established under section #edb of the ,energy ,independence and ,security ,act of #bjjg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agaeb72 7,d7 loan guarantees made pursuant to title ,,xvii of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afeaa et seq472 and 7,e7 such other programs as the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7#d7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,energy4 7#e7 ,underserved or disadvantaged community ,the term underserved or disadvantaged community means a community located within a ,,zip ,code or census tract that is identified as-- 7,a7 a low-income community2 7,b7 a community of color2 7,c7 a ,tribal community2 7,d7 having a disproportionately low number of electric vehicle charging stations per capita1 compared to similar areas2 or 7,e7 any other community that the ,secretary determines is disproportionately vulnerable to1 or bears a disproportionate burden of1 any combination of economic1 social1 environmental1 and climate stressors4