IEC installs electric vehicle charger at JWCC’s SEC

PROTECTED CONTENT

If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.

Username

Password

Login

Lost your password?

Username and Password Help

Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.

Email

Submit

← Back

By DAVID CAMPHOUSE

According to a release from Illinois Electric Cooperative (IEC), the company recently unveiled its first public electric vehicle charging station at John Wood Community College’s (JWCC) Southeast Education Center near Pittsfield last Wednesday. The charging station located along Highway 54 allows two electric vehicles to charge simultaneously.

According to data provided by the Environmental Protection Agency, gas and diesel powered vehicles are two of the  largest contributors to U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. According to the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 1990–2021 (the national inventory that the U.S. prepares annually under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), transportation accounted for the largest portion (29 percent) of total U.S. GHG emissions in 2021. Cars, trucks, commercial aircraft, and railroads, among other sources, all contribute to transportation end-use sector emissions.

“The EV industry is growing nationally, and we think it’s time to bring electric car charging stations to our service territory. We thank John Wood for allowing us to locate a charger at their facility. Being right off I72 and by Pittsfield is a great first location for us,” Randy Long, General Manager, shared.

JWCC President Dr. Bryan Renfro shared, “We are excited to collaborate with the Illinois Electric Cooperative to bring an electric vehicle charging station to the JWCC Southeast Education Center in Pittsfield. Our Southeast Educational Center has served as a hub for higher education in Pike County and this new venture allows students, the community and visitors to charge their car as well as their mind!”

The co-op has partnered with chargEV™ to become one of the now 94 electric cooperatives to offer electric charging through their growing network.

“Being a chargEV™ affiliate allows us to be shown to electric vehicle owners nationwide through their online charging station map. Being on the map will result in electric vehicle drivers possibly stopping in our communities while traveling through the area. It’s an added benefit to offering charging to our members.” Mr. Long explained.

The electric vehicle charging station is a stand-alone unit that accepts various forms of electronic payment through a smartphone app. The co-op will soon have a second charging station located in South Jacksonville.

Illinois Electric Cooperative is a member of Touchstone Energy — a national alliance of local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives providing high standards of service to members large and small. More than 700 Touchstone Energy cooperatives in 46 states are delivering energy and energy solutions to more than 30 million members every day. Illinois Electric is committed to providing superior service based on four core principles: integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community. The co-op serves more than 10,300 meters over 2,950 miles of line in parts of Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Morgan, Pike and Scott counties. For more information visit www.e-co-op.com.

CHARGE EV, LLC, was created in 2020 by 31 electric cooperatives throughout Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to help promote electric vehicle (EV) adoption. As electric cooperatives partner with other companies within the EV industry, chargEV™ will expand its national charging network throughout rural America. This network will also reveal the hidden gems that are our local communities to EV drivers and their passengers. Electric cooperatives serve more than 42 million people across 48 states. More information can be found at www.charge.coop.