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Wiscasset economic development director outlines plan for four DC fast EV chargers, recommends Park & Ride site
Summary
Wiscasset’s economic development director presented a plan to partner with ReVision Energy and a third-party operator to install four DC fast chargers in the village; funding could cover 80% of eligible costs through an Efficiency Maine opportunity and the municipal budget would carry no local match if a third party covers the remaining 20%.
Aaron Chrostowsky, Wiscasset’s economic development director, presented a proposal to the Select Board on Jan. 6 for installing four DC fast electric vehicle chargers in the village area.
Chrostowsky told the board the town was approached by ReVision Energy about partnering on a project that would be eligible for funding covering 80% of project costs through an Efficiency Maine opportunity. ReVision identified a third-party operator willing to pay the remaining 20% local match and to install, own, maintain and operate four new DC fast chargers at no cost to the town.
Chrostowsky said several town-owned sites were evaluated. The Municipal Building Park and Ride Lot was recommended as the preferred option. Railroad Avenue municipal parking was the initial preference but was eliminated because MaineDOT owns that property and therefore it is not an eligible site. Other sites examined included Water Street and Middle Street municipal lots, the Wiscasset waterfront, the Wiscasset Community Center (not eligible for the grant), and the Wiscasset Municipal Airport. He said eligible sites must be within one driving mile of designated roadway segments and have access to 3-phase electrical power.
Chrostowsky recommended the board authorize town staff to work with ReVision Energy to respond to Efficiency Maine’s request for proposals for public DC fast chargers, contingent on the town’s proposal including licensing or leasing space to a third-party operator so the chargers would be installed, owned and operated without cost to the town. The minutes record the recommendation; they do not record a formal motion or vote approving the authorization that evening.
If the town proceeds and the proposal is selected for funding, the arrangement would rely on the third-party operator to fund the local match and to handle ongoing operations, maintenance and ownership. The board did not record a formal vote on the recommendation in the provided minutes; next steps in the process would include staff preparing a response to the Efficiency Maine RFP and any future formal board actions to approve site leasing or licensing agreements.
Provenance: Topic introduced SEG 036; discussion and recommendation conclude SEG 054.
