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City reports $15M federal EV-charging grant, NEPA batches and legal delay to construction funding
Summary
City staff told the advisory board the City of Milwaukee received a $15,000,000 U.S. DOT grant for a 53-site EV charging network; NEPA reviews are underway in batches, 13 sites have NEPA approval, and federal construction funding remains unapproved amid litigation, while state NEVI funds may provide interim options.
The City of Milwaukee was awarded a $15,000,000 U.S. Department of Transportation grant to build an electric-vehicle charging network covering 53 sites, Director Eric Schamburger told the advisory board July 6. He said the environmental review process (NEPA) is being done in batches; the first 13 sites have NEPA approval, but the federal government has not yet approved construction funding for this and many other grantees nationwide.
"To date, the federal government has not approved the construction funding, not only on our project, but any of the grantees nationwide," Schamburger said, adding that several state attorneys general have filed lawsuits pressing for release of that construction funding. He told the board the city hopes to finalize a list of about 20 to 25 additional sites for council consideration and that NEPA approvals for all sites must be completed by April 1, 2027.
Schamburger named three county park sites being considered for the next phase (Hoyt Park, Greenfield Park adjacent to the Cool Waters swim area, and the McKinley parking lot across from Colectivo) but cautioned that installation timing depends on other county projects (the county plans to redo McKinley parking). He said the state's NEVI program has completed interstate minimum charger requirements and could be a source of funding to move some city sites forward while federal funds remain withheld.
On workforce questions, Schamburger said the program will include at least one apprentice on every site, working with local joint apprenticeship programs, and that the jobs are expected to be union positions; he did not provide an overall jobs estimate. Board members from Milwaukee County thanked city staff for including the county in site consideration and pledged continued coordination as plans progress.
