Y-12 recognized for fast-tracking path to zero emission vehicles
Three charging stations (with a total of six ports) were installed at a Y-12 garage earlier this year.
The road toward a green fleet of vehicles just got a little smoother at Y-12. In May, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced that Y-12 is one of three National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) partner sites that received DOE’s first-ever Green Fleet Award.
“This is a great achievement for Y-12, to win a brand-new award from DOE,” explained Wayne May of Y-12 Fleet Management. “The foundation for the award centered on the Y-12 acquisition of zero emission vehicles (ZEV) in Fiscal Year 2022 as well as the Y-12’s 5-Year ZEV Charging Station Program Plan that was submitted to NNSA. It demonstrates the site’s leadership in our commitment to sustainable practices.”
If being recognized as a leader by NNSA was not enough, the award also comes with $200,000 in funding. “The funds will be used primarily in acquiring and installing needed electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) charging stations at the site. The first three charging stations (with a total of six ports) were installed at the Building 9712-01 garage earlier this year,” said May.
Chad Watson from Y-12 Facilities and Infrastructure Modernization added that his group is actively working to identify opportunities for charging station installations at both New Hope Center and Jack Case Center over the next year.
This is a significant step toward meeting the administration’s goal of all light-duty vehicle acquisitions being 100% ZEVs by 2027, as outlined in Executive Order (EO) 14057: Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs through Federal Sustainability. Y-12 has replaced 65% of eligible light-duty vehicles with ZEVs – more than sites with similar-sized fleets. May noted that the site is on track to meet the requirements, and the Green Fleet Award funds will offer a boost. “We have ordered ZEV units for each vehicle replacement opportunity for the past two years when a ZEV is available from General Service Administrative within that respective vehicle classification, which has amounted to 22 ZEV units to date. Vehicle availabilities are expected to see significant growth over the next three years and will include multiple options in sedans, vans, pickups, and SUV units that will become prevalent around the Y-12 site.”
These future plans are just another part of the ongoing modernization of the site. Additionally, the environmental impacts of ZEV units are significant and will help reduce CO2 emissions. “I am proud of the fact that our efforts to meet the requirements put forth in EO 14057 have resulted in a monetary benefit to the Y-12 site, and the resulting EVSE installations will benefit all employees here who use government vehicles to accomplish their mission,” affirmed May.
DOE Green Fleet Award funds will partially be used to install additional electric vehicle supply equipment charging stations, like the one pictured, around the site.