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Frustrations were high last week as thousands remained without power following an ice storm. Late last week, 2 percent of those who lost power were still in the dark. B AS S P R O K I N G
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As his team played the University of Memphis, a University of Houston fan held aloft a sign reading, basically, “the chances of [Young] Dolph making new music are better than Memphis’ chances of making the tourney.” The sign was taken, and other Houston fans said his actions don’t reflect the team nor the fan base.
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ENVIRONMENT B y To b y S e l l s
Charged Up Tennessee electric vehicle charging network gets $88 million jolt. Charging stations for electric vehicles are headed to gas stations, food stores, and truck stops across Tennessee thanks, in part, to $88.3 million from the federal government. The state will get more than $13 million in the current fiscal year to begin the program, part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) announced last week by the U.S. Department of Energy. The rest of the funds will be delivered over the next five years. Tennessee’s share of the funds is part of a larger, $7.5 billion effort from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to build a nationwide system of charging stations. The move is hoped to make electric vehicles reliable for short- and PHOTO: CHUTTERSNAP | UNSPLASH long-distance trips. A new network of charging locations is hoped to grow electric vehicle sales. “For too long, Tennessee has had unreliable and inconsistent charging facilities along its roads and highways, offer charging in “communities where most residents cannot inconveniencing drivers and putting a drag on our regional reliably charge their electric vehicles overnight” and that they economy,” U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Memphis) said in a are more suited for quick-stop charging that may not require a statement. “These overdue investments will strengthen our complete fill-up. state’s critical infrastructure — paving the way for cleaner, “Our industry understands that electric vehicle drivers easier driving and supporting good-paying union jobs.” will expect their driving and refueling experience to be as The country’s current system now has a network of about safe, seamless, and predictable as it is today,” reads a joint 100,000 charging stations. The Biden administration’s goal statement from NATSO and SIGMA. “There is no ‘range with the new funding is to expand that network to 500,000 anxiety’ today for drivers of gas-powered vehicles. That is chargers. achievable for electric vehicles as well.” The new money directs states to work with the private The new network is hoped to help grow electric vehicle sector to build this network. This is “best achieved by sales in the U.S. to 50 percent of the entire automobile market harnessing the existing nationwide network of refueling by 2030. locations,” according to lobbyists for refueling stations. The “The U.S. market share of plug-in electric vehicle sales bill gives priority for charging stations at “travel centers, is only one-third the size of the Chinese [electric vehicle] food retailers, and convenience stores,” according to the market,” reads a statement from the White House. “The National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO) and president believes that must change.” the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America Last year, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) launched (SIGMA). The bill will not allow other companies to install the National Electric Highway Coalition to bolster the electric charging stations, and states cannot install them at rest areas. charging network across its service area and into other states. The truck stop organization says its existing network That coalition has grown to 14 other energy providers across offers convenience, amenities, security, food, and competitive 29 states and the District of Columbia. This push is hoped to and transparent pricing, all usually less than a mile from an install a network of fast-charging stations across these areas, interstate. Gas station advocates say their stores will be able to with stations located less than 100 miles from each other.
