On Thursday, August 5, NECA took part in a roundtable discussion with the U.S. Department of Energy, conducted by Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm with Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich. A variety of business leaders were also in attendance. The event, “Place-Based Supply Chain Developments for the 21st Century,” was held at the Oakland University Engineering Center in Rochester, Mich.

Representing NECA at the event was Marco A. Giamberardino, vice president of government and public affairs. Giamberardino remarked on the value that national funding for electric vehicle storage equipment (EVSE) could have on electrical contractors, U.S. infrastructure and the overall economy.

He also provided insight on how NECA is working to advance these projects and ensure the safe and effective installation of EVSE infrastructure around the country, including publication of its National Electrical Installation Standard that focuses specifically on EVSEs, NECA 413. Further, NECA served as a key stakeholder in the formation of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program, the leading training program for advancing the safe installation of EVSEs.

“I want to express my thanks to Secretary Granholm for the invitation to discuss EV charging infrastructure, a topic of great importance and excitement to our industry, and I would like to thank the Biden Administration for making this a key piece of the infrastructure agenda,” Giamberardino said. “These projects offer the opportunity for a wave of new, good paying, prevailing-wage jobs built by our highly skilled and qualified electrical contractors. NECA is here to assist in the safe, sound and successful growth of the EV market.”

The roundtable was timed to coincide with President Biden’s announcement on Thursday of his new target for 50% of all new vehicles to be electric by 2030, with General Motors, Ford and Stellantis North America (also known as Chrysler) pledging their support.