City wins Puget Sound Energy grant for one Level‑3 charger and five Level‑2 chargers; installations planned at public‑works site

Mayor Pro Tem and staff told council that Oak Harbor has received a Puget Sound Energy grant to install one Level‑3 fast charger and five Level‑2 chargers at a public‑works property.

The site was selected because the city operates several electric vehicles and the chargers will also be available to Island Transit and, potentially, to the school district if it acquires electric buses. Staff said PSE had paused and restarted the grant program; city grants staff (Wendy Horn and Sandra Place) are exploring additional grants to bring high‑speed public charging closer to the business district and Windjammer Park to support tourism and EV‑owning visitors.

Council members raised availability concerns for visitors during events; staff said selected public‑works location chargers will be public use and that staff will pursue other grants and partnership opportunities (including private‑sector hosts) to extend charging availability downtown and at recreational sites.