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AMSTERDAM, NY—Congressman Paul D. Tonko announced today that Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) is being awarded a grant totaling $350,000 for a project to develop training modules that will address significant knowledge gaps in trades critical to the nation’s transition to a battery-operated electric vehicle (EV) fleet.

“Our Capital Region has a long and proud history of technological and scientific research and discovery,” Congressman Tonko said.  “With this investment, our region can build on that legacy by training a new generation of technicians and engineers in the critical and growing electric vehicle industry.  Investments in EV charging technologies offer a golden opportunity to revolutionize our nation’s transportation system.  The technicians trained by this new program will support infrastructure that helps us reach our climate goals and reduce emissions, all while creating good-paying jobs and driving down consumer costs.  I congratulate all those at HVCC whose efforts brought this incredible project to life.  Thank you for your continued work that drives our region—and our nation—forward.”

“The exponential growth in vehicle electrification throughout our nation and the globe requires a new generation of technicians and electricians with the knowledge and skills to meet the demands of a rapidly changing workforce landscape.  With decades of experience and faculty expertise in skilled trades and technology career training, Hudson Valley Community College is leading the way with the Vehicle to Grid Educational Initiative.  This proactive and focused project will accelerate our work with industry and governmental partners and deliver innovative educational opportunities that specifically address the knowledge and skills gap between current students and potential employers.  I commend Chris McNally, Ph.D., professor and department chair for Applied Technologies, and our faculty and community-based collaborators, for partnering with the National Science Foundation to prepare the future workforce for in-demand careers,” said Roger Ramsammy, Ph.D., president of Hudson Valley Community College.

The nation’s transition to EV will require large numbers of technicians with an understanding of the vehicle-to-grid interface (V2G) commonly referred to as the “electric vehicle charging station.”  This grant, administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), will enable HVCC to begin training the next generation of EV experts.

As one of only a handful of engineers in Congress and as Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee, Tonko has long pushed for Congressional action to invest in EV infrastructure.  From leading hearings on the need to invest in domestic manufacturing of EV and other clean energy technologies, to introducing legislation to create a federal rebate program to reimburse Americans for the purchase and installation of EV equipment, Congressman Tonko has led the way on forward-looking measures to bolster our nation’s growing EV industry.  Earlier this year as a result of his efforts, the Congressman was proud to announce the delivery of nearly $26 million to New York State as part of the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The NSF was established by Congress in 1950 as an independent federal agency and works to develop cutting edge technologies in physics, mathematics, cybersecurity, neuroscience, and STEM education.  Currently, NSF is responsible for funding 25 percent of all federally backed research at American colleges and universities.

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