OPAL is collaborating with OPALCO and Island Rides to get more electric vehicle (EV) charging stations installed in OPAL neighborhoods—encouraging OPAL homeowners and renters to reduce carbon emissions and providing equitable access to EV use. Two grant funded programs are benefiting the. OPAL and larger community:
Green Carshare:
You may have seen the Green Carshare EVs driving around the island or parked by the community garden at OPAL’s Reddick offices. There are two Chevy Bolts and four EV charging stations: two at April’s Grove and two at OPAL’s offices across from the Reddick apartments. In partnership with Island Rides and funded by a grant from the WA Department of Transportation’s Zero-Emissions Program, cars are now available for all Orcas residents to drive. Drivers must be at least 21+, with a valid WA driver’s license, insurance and a clean driving record. The Green Carshare Program has submitted a new grant application to include EV car shares that can be driven off-island.
To learn more or sign: greencarshare-support@islandrides.org
Community EV Chargers:
With Funding from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, OPAL and OPALCO are working to install up to 10 new EV chargers in OPAL neighborhooods. The first two chargers have been installed at Northern Heights, with additional support from the WSDOT Zero-Emissions Program. One of the chargers is dedicated to Island Rides. The other is for residents of the apartments. Other locations include the new Kidder Way neighborhood by Buck Park, the and the upcoming townhomes on Pea Patch Lane.
The EV chargers on OPAL properties are primarily for the use by individuals who live in those neighborhoods. If available, others may use the chargers and then make a donation to OPAL to cover the cost of power and maintenance at https://www.opalclt.org/donate/donate-now/.
Contact Suzanne Olson at suzanne@opalclt.org.
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