Molly Parzen: Biden’s EV plan driving strong economic future in Pittsburgh and beyond

Pittsburgh is world-famous for its manufacturing heritage and its beautiful natural scenery. As our region and all of Pennsylvania moves into the future, we must make sure we protect both. We can strengthen the middle class through the 717,000 union members in Pennsylvania, create more jobs by making use of the more than $17 billion that President Joe Biden’s infrastructure law is delivering for the commonwealth, and we can reduce carbon emissions and curb the devastating impact of climate change in the process.

One clear path forward? Electric vehicles.

Not only will electric vehicles improve air quality and create quality American jobs, Pennsylvania is receiving $171 million from the president’s infrastructure law just to invest in electric vehicles. And it’s something we’re already good at — Pittsburgh in particular is at the forefront of the next wave of automotive success.

Carnegie Mellon University’s Vehicle Electrification Group has been leading the way on electric vehicle studies since 2009, and undergraduates on the university’s racing team build and drive fully functional electric race cars. This city is also the home of the Wabtec battery powered locomotives that Biden announced last month are being purchased by Union Pacific Railroad and built in Erie as part of a $100 million deal.

On top of all this, the Pittsburgh City Council has introduced legislation to further electrify city department vehicles with American Rescue Plan funds from the Biden administration. Pennsylvania already has charging station projects completed or underway in 46 of our 67 counties in Pennsylvania, and there are plans to ensure charging stations are accessible in both rural and urban areas. This local readiness paired with the boost in federal funds makes us more than prepared to embrace electric.

And, manufacturing materials for cars and public charging networks will bolster our workforce.

Pittsburgh in particular is union strong and ready to take on the task of expanding our nation’s fleet of American-made electric vehicles. The president’s infrastructure law is set to bring hundreds of thousands of good jobs to Pennsylvania and it increases our ability to be globally competitive. These vehicles will use American steel, the projects will employ union workers, and we will produce materials, parts and batteries right here at home. China currently outpaces us, but that is about to change. We are the way forward — for our workers and our planet.

Ensuring clean air, clean water and a healthy environment for our communities is my top priority. Transportation is the most polluting part of our nation’s economy, producing the most greenhouse gas of any sector. In Pennsylvania alone, the 12 million registered vehicles on our roads create nearly half of the nitrogen oxides in our air. Vehicle fumes also contribute to climate change, impacting every part of our lives from severe temperatures to clean water access. Non-electric vehicle pollutants get into our children’s lungs, harm the health of the elderly, worsen conditions like asthma and hurt us all.

Electric vehicles, however, have zero tailpipe emissions. A swift transition to electric would allow us to cut nitrogen oxides in our air by 27% over the next decade. On top of that, electric saves the average driver up to $1,000 each year on fuel costs, and this technology saves hundreds of billions of gallons of oil over time. Embracing electric would mediate air pollution, cut down on the spread of harmful toxins, and ensure our children and our most vulnerable communities were more protected from harm.

And that is why the bipartisan infrastructure bill is also only a first step. In addition to fully capitalizing on the bipartisan infrastructure bill, we’re also calling on Congress to pass Biden’s climate plan, which would expand on these initial investments and provide even more funding to electrify municipal fleets, including school buses and public transit.

Now is the perfect time to act on electric vehicles. We have a president who is standing alongside us, using his administration to support cities and states in the switch to electric; a strong union workforce in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania that is ready to lead; and an influx of billions of dollars in federal funds from the bipartisan infrastructure law to invest in this plan.

We do not have to promote our environment at the expense of our industry, or vice versa. By embracing electric vehicles, we are prioritizing both and putting Pennsylvania on the road to success.

Molly Parzen serves as interim executive director of Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania.