Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Open In Seaside Heights

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ — Tourists and residents who drive electric vehicles will find a new amenity in Seaside Heights after the borough installed six charging stations for the vehicles in the downtown area.

The charging stations and said they were part of a settlement agreement reached between the state Department of Environmental Protection and the borough over air-monitoring issues in Seaside Heights, DEP Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe said.

The DEP and Seaside Heights reached a settlement agreement in August 2017 after DEP Air Compliance and Enforcement inspections found the Ocean County borough out of compliance with numerous emissions and monitoring requirements in the operation of three diesel generators at the intersection of Sherman Avenue and Bay Boulevard. The generators provide power to the borough.

Installation of the dual-port charging stations expands the state’s electric-vehicle charging station infrastructure and promotes the use of the vehicles, the DEP said.

As part of its settlement with the DEP, which included a penalty of $95,600, the borough agreed to install the charging stations at a cost of $71,700, as part of a Supplemental Environmental Project, which is an environmentally beneficial project done voluntarily as a condition of settling an enforcement action. The borough paid the $23,900 penalty balance to the state.

"This project is a win-win for the state, Seaside Heights and the public," said Richelle Wormley, Acting Assistant Commissioner for Compliance and Enforcement. "The addition of these charging stations will bring attention to the growing need for charging infrastructure across New Jersey and give visitors to Seaside Heights the opportunity to enjoy the nearby attractions while charging their electric vehicles."

"It is unfortunate that the borough of Seaside Heights unintentionally did not comply with certain conditions of our air quality permit as a result of equipment failures," Seaside Heights Borough Administrator Christopher Vaz said. "The borough strives to protect the environment, which includes both our air and water quality for our residents and those that vacation within our community. We were in a fortunate position to work with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and enter into an agreement that allowed us to install electrical vehicle charging stations within our community to further reduce air pollution."

Vaz said the borough plans to install more charging stations as funds become available..

Gov. Phil Murphy’s initiatives include efforts to move New Jersey toward 100 percent clean energy by 2050.

"The benefits of driving electric are numerous and vital to the environment as well as quality of life," McCabe said. “The installation of these stations advances New Jersey’s commitment to protect public health by reducing harmful emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles, improving air quality, and developing renewable and clean energy.”

Each of the six charging stations can charge two vehicles at the same time. Four charging stations are in the municipal lot at 55 Grant Ave., and two stations are in the Ocean Terrace lot at 21 Hancock Ave. Both lots are within one block of the beach, boardwalk and other attractions.

The fee to charge vehicles at the stations is at $1.50 for the first hour, then $2 per hour thereafter. Parking rates will be discounted for electric vehicles charging at either lot. Electric vehicle owners can use the ChargePoint app to track their vehicles’ battery percentage and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions avoided. The app, available for iPhone and Android users, also allows users to locate local charging stations.

By 2023, the six stations will prevent emissions of an estimated 300 pounds of volatile organic compounds that contribute to ground-level ozone formation, as well as about 50 tons of carbon dioxide, the most prevalent greenhouse gas. Each ton of carbon dioxide avoided is equivalent to planting approximately 24 trees, according to the ChargePoint app. ChargePoint manages the six stations.

Emissions from transportation are a significant concern in New Jersey because cars and light trucks cause about 30 percent of ozone-forming air pollutants and more than 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Ground-level ozone – or smog – is the state’s most persistent health-related air pollution problem. Ozone worsens chronic lung illnesses such as asthma and emphysema, particularly in vulnerable populations including children and senior citizens.

"Providing more opportunities for the public to charge electric vehicles with an expanded network of charging infrastructure will help New Jersey move toward a clean transportation future with zero-emission vehicles," said Paul Baldauf, assistant commissioner for air quality, energy and sustainability. "Transportation is the single largest source of both traditional air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the state."

New Jersey has been pursuing the benefits of electric vehicles for several years, starting with the 2016 launch of the "Drive Green New Jersey" initiative and the It Pay$ to Plug In – New Jersey’s Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Program, which to date has awarded nearly $1 million in grants. In May, Murphy signed the Multi-State Zero-Emission Vehicle memorandum of understanding, for which New Jersey works collaboratively with eight leading states to support the deployment of zero-emission vehicles.

In total, New Jersey has more than 600 public chargers at 250 locations. For more information, click here.

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Photos provided by the state Department of Environmental Protection