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Contact: John Dell'Osso, 415-464-5135
POINT REYES STATION, CA – Three electric vehicle (EV) charging stations have been installed at the Bear Valley Visitor Center parking lot at Point Reyes National Seashore and they are available and free to the public. The chargers were installed by Sustainable Solutions Partners coordinated by Adopt A Charger, Inc. through financial support from the Transportation Authority of Marin Measure B Fund, County of Marin Community Services Fund, the Craig Matthew Childers memorial fund, the Electric Auto Association, and the Golden Gate Electric Vehicle Association. Students with the Marin School of Environmental Leadership played a big role in fundraising for the project. The students wrote and were awarded grants from the Transportation Authority of Marin and the County of Marin Community Services Fund. The chargers are operated on a first-come, first-serve basis. The chargers are using solar electricity generated at the Bear Valley Visitor Center via photovoltaic cells. In fact, the Seashore now generates approximately 35% of the energy it uses from 18 photovoltaic solar arrays on various buildings throughout the Seashore. The Park also has 8 alternative fuel vehicles in its fleet, including 5 Toyota RAV4 all-electric vehicles. By "adopting" a charger, the Transportation Authority of Marin Measure B Fund, County of Marin Community Services Fund, the Craig Matthew Childers memorial fund, the Electric Auto Association, and the Golden Gate Electric Vehicle Association agreed to make a donation to Adopt A Charger to cover the cost of hardware, installation, maintenance, electrical usage, and administration for three years. After that time period, the electrical usage will be paid by the Park's non-profit, the Point Reyes National Seashore Association. "The Seashore is committed to sustainability," stated Cicely Muldoon, Superintendent of Point Reyes National Seashore. "Having the ability to utilize new technologies as they become operational and investing in our future by educating the next generation all contribute to our goal of energy conservation and efficiency." "The National Park Service has always stood for environmental stewardship, and I am grateful that Adopt a Charger can help them address climate change," said Kitty Adams, Executive Director of Adopt A Charger. "The existing EV chargers at Crissy Field and Muir Woods provide inspiration to visitors who want to reduce their carbon footprint, and provide resources to expand the park’s green fleet. I am especially grateful to be honoring my friend Craig Childers, who was very passionate about the environment and a huge advocate for plug-in cars." There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 2:30 pm on September 18, 2014 at the Bear Valley Visitor Center parking lot to celebrate the public accessibility to the electric vehicle charging stations. The public is invited to attend. -NPS- |
Last updated: February 28, 2015