,,ii #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ejg ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #a1 #bjba,ms4 ,cortez ,masto introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources ,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 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,electric vehicle ,the term electric vehicle means-- 7,a7 a ,zero-,emission ,vehicle 7as defined in section #hh4ajb-id of title #dj1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7as in effect on the date of enactment of this ,act772 and 7,b7 a vehicle that1 under any possible operational mode or condition1 produces zero exhaust emissions of-- 7i7 any criteria pollutant for which there are national ambient air quality standards under section #aji of the ,clean ,air ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #gdji72 7ii7 any precursor pollutant2 or 7iii7 any greenhouse gas4 7#b7 ,electric vehicle charging infrastructure 7,a7 ,in general ,the term electric vehicle charging infrastructure means any property 7not including a building and its structural components7 if that property is-- 7i7 made available for use by members of the general public2 and 7ii7 used to charge or fuel electric vehicles1 but only if the property is located at the point where the vehicles are charged or fueled4 7,b7 ,inclusion of utility service connections ,the term electric vehicle charging infrastructure includes any utility service connections1 utility panel upgrades1 or contributions in aid of construction 7within the meaning of section #aah of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf7 that are required for the charging or fueling of electric vehicles4 7#c7 ,greenhouse gas ,the term greenhouse gas means any of the following3 7,a7 ,carbon dioxide4 7,b7 ,methane4 7,c7 ,nitrous oxide4 7,d7 ,hydrofluorocarbons4 7,e7 ,perfluorocarbons4 7,f7 ,sulfur hexafluoride4 7#d7 ,publicly accessible 7,a7 ,in general ,the term publicly accessible means-- 7i7 with respect to electric vehicle charging infrastructure1 that the electric vehicle charging infrastructure is available1 at zero or reasonable cost1 to members of the public for the purpose of charging a privately owned or leased electric vehicle2 and 7ii7 with respect to an electric vehicle1 that the electric vehicle is available for use by members of the general public as part of a ride service or vehicle sharing service or program4 7,b7 ,inclusions ,the term publicly accessible includes electric vehicle charging infrastructure and electric vehicles described in clauses 7i7 and 7ii71 respectively1 of subparagraph 7,a7 that are located within or around-- 7i7 public sidewalks and streets2 7ii7 public parks2 7iii7 public buildings1 including-- 7,i7 libraries2 7,,ii7 schools2 and 7,,iii7 government offices2 7iv7 public parking2 7v7 shopping centers2 and 7vi7 commuter transit hubs4 7#e7 ,relevant program ,the term relevant program means a program of the ,department of ,energy1 including-- 7,a7 the ,state energy program established 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 #edb7;a7 of the ,energy ,independence and ,security ,act of #bjjg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agaeb7;a772 7,d7 a loan guarantee made under title ,,xvii of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afeaa et seq472 and 7,e7 any other program of the ,department of ,energy1 as the ,secretary determines to be appropriate4 7#f7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,energy4 7#g7 ,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 #c4 ,expanding access to electric vehicles in underserved or disadvantaged communities 7a7 ,assessment 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall conduct an assessment of the state of1 challenges to1 and opportunities for1 deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in underserved or disadvantaged communities in urban1 suburban1 and rural communities throughout the ,united ,states4 7#b7 ,requirement ,in carrying out the assessment under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary1 to the maximum extent practicable1 shall work with each ,state to enumerate and identify1 with detail at the level of ,,zip ,codes and census tracts1 in urban1 suburban1 and rural areas within each ,state-- 7,a7 the number of existing and planned publicly accessible level #b charging stations and direct current fast charging stations for individually owned light-duty and medium-duty electric vehicles2 7,b7 the number of existing and planned level #b charging stations and direct current fast charging stations for public sector and commercial-- 7i7 fleet electric vehicles2 and 7ii7 medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles2 and 7,c7 the number and type of electric vehicle charging stations installed in or around1 or available to occupants of-- 7i7 public housing2 or 7ii7 affordable housing4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the results of the assessment conducted under subsection 7a71 which shall-- 7#a7 describe the state of deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in underserved or disadvantaged communities in urban1 suburban1 and rural areas in the ,united ,states1 including-- 7,a7 the state of deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure that is-- 7i7 publicly accessible2 7ii7 installed in or around1 or available to occupants of-- 7,i7 public housing2 or 7,,ii7 affordable housing2 7iii7 installed in or around1 or available to occupants of1 multi-unit dwellings2 7iv7 available to public sector and commercial fleets2 or 7v7 installed in1 or available at1 places of work2 7,b7 the policies1 plans1 and programs that ,states1 cities1 utilities1 and private entities are using to encourage greater deployment and use of electric vehicles and any associated electric vehicle charging infrastructure1 including programs to encourage deployment of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure that is available to residents of publicly or privately owned multi-unit dwellings2 7,c7 ownership models for level #b charging stations and direct current fast charging stations located in or around-- 7i7 residential multi-unit dwellings2 7ii7 commercial buildings2 and 7iii7 publicly accessible areas2 7,d7 mechanisms for financing electric vehicle charging infrastructure2 and 7,e7 the rates charged for the use of level #b charging stations and direct current fast charging stations2 7#b7 identify current barriers to expanding the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in underserved or disadvantaged communities in urban1 suburban1 and rural areas1 including barriers to expanding the 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-- 7,a7 public outreach and engagement2 7,b7 increasing deployment of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure2 and 7,c7 increasing deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in or around publicly or privately owned multi-unit dwellings2 7#e7 to the maximum extent practicable1 enumerate and identify1 with detail at the level of ,,zip ,codes and census tracts1 in urban1 suburban1 and rural areas within each ,state-- 7,a7 the number of existing and planned publicly accessible level #b charging stations and direct current fast charging stations for individually owned light-duty and medium-duty electric vehicles2 7,b7 the number of existing and planned level #b charging stations and direct current fast charging stations for public sector and commercial-- 7i7 fleet electric vehicles2 and 7ii7 medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles2 and 7,c7 the number and type of electric vehicle charging stations installed in or around1 or available to occupants of-- 7i7 public housing2 or 7ii7 affordable housing2 and 7#f7 describe the methodology used to obtain the information provided in the report4 7c7 ,updated assessment ,not later than #e years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 update the assessment conducted under subsection 7a72 and 7#b7 submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives and make publicly available a report that-- 7,a7 updates the information reported under subsection 7b72 and 7,b7 includes a description of case studies and key lessons learned after the date on which the report under subsection 7b7 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 enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish a program1 to be known as the ,,ev ,charging ,equity ,program1 to increase the deployment and accessibility of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in underserved or disadvantaged communities by-- 7#a7 providing technical assistance to eligible individuals and entities described in subsection 7b72 and 7#b7 awarding grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible individuals and entities described in subsection 7b7 for projects that increase the deployment and accessibility of electric vehicle charging infrastructure1 including electric vehicle charging infrastructure that is-- 7,a7 publicly accessible2 7,b7 located within or around1 or is easily accessible to residents of-- 7i7 public or affordable housing2 7ii7 multi-unit dwellings2 or 7iii7 single-family homes2 or 7,c7 located within or around1 or is easily accessible to1 places of work1 subject to the condition that the electric vehicle charging infrastructure is publicly accessible not less than #e days per week4 7b7 ,eligible individuals and entities 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 an eligible individual or entity referred to in subsection 7a7 is-- 7,a7 an individual or household that owns any property on which a project will be carried out2 7,b7 a ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 or territorial government2 7,c7 an agency or department of a ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 or territorial government2 7,d7 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,e7 a nonprofit organization or institution2 7,f7 a public housing authority2 7,g7 an institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja772 7,h7 a local small or disadvantaged business2 or 7,i7 a partnership between #b or more individuals or entities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,h74 7#b7 ,updates ,in carrying out the ,,ev ,charging ,equity ,program1 the ,secretary may establish a list of eligible individuals and entities that includes individuals or entities not described in paragraph 7#a7 or excludes individuals or entities described in that paragraph if the ,secretary determines that including or excluding the individual or entity would be beneficial to increasing the deployment and accessibility of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in underserved or disadvantaged communities4 7c7 ,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 the costs of the project4 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 the costs of the project4 7d7 ,limitation ,not more than #ae percent of the total amount of grants awarded under this section each fiscal year may be awarded for projects that involve1 as a primary focus1 single-family homes4 7e7 ,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 7f7 ,public notice and request for applications ,the ,secretary shall publish in the ,federal ,register and such other publications as the ,secretary considers to be appropriate 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 campaign to ensure that information regarding the program and the benefits of1 and opportunities for1 electric vehicle charging infrastructure 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 campaign 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 toward individuals and relevant entities that live within or serve underserved or disadvantaged communities2 7,b7 targeted outreach toward1 and coordinated public outreach with1 relevant ,state1 local1 and ,tribal entities1 nonprofit organizations1 and institutions of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja77 that are located within or serve underserved or disadvantaged communities2 and 7,c7 any other forms of education or outreach that the ,secretary determines to be appropriate to increase awareness of1 and access to1 the ,,ev ,charging ,equity ,program4 7h7 ,reports to congress ,not later than #a year after the date on which the ,,ev ,charging ,equity ,program is established under this section1 and not less frequently than once every #b years thereafter1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives and make publicly available a report on the status of the ,,ev ,charging ,equity ,program1 including-- 7#a7 a list and description of projects for which a grant or technical assistance has been provided under this section2 and 7#b7 a description of the amount of funding or assistance provided with respect to each of those 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 ,secretary1 to the maximum extent practicable1 shall invest or direct available and relevant programmatic resources to ensure that each relevant 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