Congressman Cleaver Announces $5.2 Million Grant to Improve Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure, Reduce Vehicle Emissions in Kansas City

(Kansas City, MO) – This week, the U.S. Department of Energy announced selections for the Low Greenhouse Gas funding opportunity, which will award $171 million to fund 20 research, development, and demonstration projects aimed at accelerating the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and creating solutions to reduce emissions from on- and off-road vehicles. U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) is proud to announce that the Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC), a nonprofit dedicated to creating resource efficiency, environmental health, and economic vitality in the Kansas City region, has been selected to receive more than $5.2 million to work with community partners to expand EV charging stations in Kansas City.

"The people of Kansas City and I are committed to making our city the heartland's hub for green innovation and clean energy, and this grant funding to support implementation of electric vehicle infrastructure throughout the metro area is another significant step toward making that a reality," said Congressman Cleaver. "Not only will this allow us to cut emissions in our effort to combat climate change, but it will help lower costs for Missouri families as we continue to build back better from the pandemic. I am thankful to the Department of Energy and Secretary Granholm for their investment in the people of the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri, and I look forward to strengthening our partnership as we continue to transition toward sustainable infrastructure."

"As America's solutions department, DOE is working with manufacturers and industry partners to reimagine vehicle transportation across the country to achieve our climate goals—from lowering carbon emissions to increasing efficiency and affordability," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. "This investment and the innovations that come from it will help shape our clean energy future and strengthen domestic manufacturing that support good-paying careers for hardworking Americans."

MEC's project will work to lower emissions by bringing local stakeholders together and leading the effort to expand EV charging infrastructure, which will help facilitate and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles in Kansas City.

More information on the Low Greenhouse Gas funding opportunity and MEC's grant funding is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.