Electric vehicles play an important role in decreasing carbon emissions and advancing environmental goals. The Investment in Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA) specifically provides $7.5 billion to build a national network of electric vehicle charging stations. To achieve this national network, coordination between state and local governments, the transportation industry, and energy sectors will be key. This webinar will address IIJA funding for EV charging infrastructure and how policymakers can utilize IIJA funds to accelerate the electric future.
Speakers:
Rachael Nealer, Deputy Director, Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
Robert Puentes, President and CEO, Eno Center for Transportation
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Rachael Nealer is currently the Deputy Director for the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation a new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law office that was established to create a future where everyone can ride and drive electric and build a national charging network that is convenient, reliable, and equitable. Dr. Nealer is also the chair of the Transportation Research Board Alternative Fuels and Technologies Committee. Throughout her career, she has focused on researching transportation as a system of systems and developing strategies around how to decarbonize transportation through technology development in concert with supporting policies.
Rachael has previously held various roles including Deputy Director Transportation Technology and Policy at the White House Council on Environmental Quality as well as various roles at the Department of Energy, as Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff to the three transportation offices: Bioenergy, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell, and Vehicle Technologies Offices. She has also worked in the non-profit sector the Union of Concerned Scientists researching the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to gasoline vehicles over their life. Prior to UCS she worked at the Environmental Protection Agency in the Renewable Fuels Standard office and she received her joint PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University where she specialized in lifecycle environmental impacts of transportation.
As a former Chief of Staff, a personal passion of hers is ensuring the federal government is recruiting and retaining high quality talent. In her personal time, she also enjoys watching professional tennis, running and walking along the Anacostia River Trail, and camping and hiking with her family on the weekends.
