Local leaders promote zero-emission transportation

Oct. 24—On the steps of City Hall in the Electric City, local leaders promoted zero-emission transportation on Tuesday.

Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti and state Reps. Kyle Mullins, D-112, Blakely, and Kyle Donahue, D-113, Scranton, called for the Environmental Protection Agency to enact the strongest possible federal clean car standards.

"Investing in clean energy will create jobs, improve public health, promote environmental justice," Donahue said.

Under President Joseph Biden's leadership, the government has made historic investments in charging infrastructure, battery manufacturing and tax incentives for consumers. The EPA introduced draft safeguards in April for the next round of clean car standards for model years 2027 through 2032, setting the stage for an estimated 67% of all new car sales to be electric vehicles by 2032.

Cognetti's administration used $390,000 in state and federal funds to add electric vehicles to the city's fleet. In March, Scranton unveiled 10 electric Chevrolet Bolts with 10 charging stations for its Code Enforcement Office. The city will also add charging stations downtown.

"We are leading the way to lower vehicle emissions," she said.

Rashida Lovely, a member of the state Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Justice Advisory Board and local business owner, addressed community-centric aspects.

"Making electric vehicles more accessible is a cornerstone of building a sustainable community," she said. "This means looking beyond the work we've already done to break down financial barriers and address environmental justice issues."

Speakers encouraged the Biden Administration and the EPA to finalize the safeguards by the end of this year.

"This is a commitment to safeguarding our environment and enhancing the quality of life for all residents," Mullins said. "And that's why we need the EPA to enact this next round of clean car standards by the end of this year."

Contact the writer: shofius@scrantontimes.com; 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT on Twitter.