NCDOT Removes EV Charging Stations From Rest Stops | WUNC

NC fails to support public interest in rechargeable cars and stops effort to use renewable energy on NC roads.

Poor planning and lack of foresight causes NC DOT and lawmakers to fail in an effort to support use of rechargeable cars on NC highways. According to DOT spokeswoman Julia Casadonte "the stations were meant to be a temporary pilot project" and that the department removed the charging stations to resolve a conflict in laws. Rather than solve a problem of how to accommodate payment for recharging, the DOT removed the stations because a poorly planned directive required the DOT to find a way to charge drivers for using the stations. This conflicted with a Federal law saying charges may be only made for vending machine services along highways. 

The charging stations were in fact being used by the public. Over 14 months 146 vehicles were recharged at a total cost of $44.00 for the energy consumed. Since the state did not find a way to allow customers to pay for the service they decided to just "pull the plug" and remove the chargers. 

Read the article... NCDOT Removes EV Charging Stations From Rest Stops | WUNC

Cut Your Electric Bill: Repeal the Mandate! : NC SPIN Balanced Debate for the Old North State

Yes, Becki, your perception of removing this requirement "might" help reduce consumer costs for energy. On the other hand, it is more likely that it will not reduce consumer costs as you suggest.

Strongly encouraging energy companies to incorporate new technologies into energy production will help to reduce costs over time. The cost of using new technology will in fact decrease as it becomes more widespread. This is historically true with all technology as new ideas emerge in our economy.

 We cannot remain locked into producing energy solely based on fossil fuels and continuing to increase pollution and contributing to the "greenhouse effect" and jeopardizing our future. It is clear to everyone (except maybe you) that negative effects from methods of energy production companies and other industries continue to increase pollution in our world and continuing to increase environmental pollution is in fact causing devastating increases in weather extremes, tornadoes, storms, drouts and situations that are ravaging our country and the world.

Continue pushing to eliminate needed regulations if that is your goal, but the declining quality of the world around you and us will continue to get worse. Perhaps when your area is wiped out or severely devastated or your family members suffer these consequences, then you might begin to realize the regulations are in fact good for our state and the economy.

Read more about yet another GOP effort to force their views on the state - Cut Your Electric Bill: Repeal the Mandate! : NC SPIN Balanced Debate for the Old North State