Advocating for Clean Energy: 2024 Energy Independence Summit.
By Kamala Vanderkolk, Business Development Lead at National Car Charging
National Car Charging attends the 18th annual Energy Independence Summit 2024 in Washington, DC February 11-14.
Last week Transportation Energy Partners hosted the 18th edition of the Energy Independence Summit in Washington, DC, marking a significant moment in our nation’s journey towards a sustainable future, emphasizing the importance of decarbonizing transportation, improving air quality, and promoting environmental equity. In attendance were leaders of the nation’s Clean Cities Coalitions, partner organizations and leading clean transportation industry stakeholders from around the country, who, alongside state delegates, converged on the Capitol city. Their collective goal was to accelerate strategies for advancing markets for clean fuels and vehicles in addition to highlighting the crucial role of clean energy in policy areas such as job creation, community development, and clean fuels. Among the participants were team members from National Car Charging (NCC), a featured partner of Drive Clean Colorado (DCC).
The Energy Independence Summit is Shaping Our Future.
EIS was more than just a gathering of thought leaders; it was also a platform to foster important dialogues about clean energy among industry players and provided a unique space for attendees to delve into significant topics including accomplishments in clean transportation policy, implementation strategies for environmental justice, the EPA Clean School Bus Program, and latest developments on NEVI, the DOT Fueling Infrastructure, the DOE Clean Hydrogen, and the USDA Biofuels infrastructure programs. EIS’s mission stretches beyond dialogue, as it seeks to propel actionable solutions and strategies that will accelerate our transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Uniting for a Cleaner Future: Drive Clean Colorado & National Car Charging.
Drive Clean Colorado (DCC), an early collaborator with Clean Cities, assumed a crucial role at EIS. As part of their participation, they invited National Car Charging (NCC), Colorado’s and the nation’s largest EV charging solutions reseller and installer, to join their team. NCC responded by highlighting its national-level efforts towards advancing EV charging infrastructure having installed 11,000 EV charging ports across 48 states over the last 12 years. The united presence of these two organizations at the Summit further emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships in advancing clean energy initiatives. Together the organizations successfully engaged the offices of all Colorado Members of Congress as well as both the U.S. senators from the Centennial state.
Impacts of the Energy Independence Summit.
The Summit's influence extends far beyond the event itself, setting in motion a ripple effect of positive change. It didn't just facilitate important discussions but also resulted in concrete commitments from key stakeholders, pledging to further propel clean energy initiatives. As ideas were exchanged and vital discussions unfolded, the Summit served as a catalyst for shaping future policies related to clean energy. Its contribution to moving the clean energy dialogue to a prominent place on the national agenda cannot be overstated. These impacts underpin the critical role such platforms play in driving the clean energy transition and support the goals set forth by the Biden-Harris Administration which include reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 50-52% below 2005 levels in 2030, reaching 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035 and achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.
The Way Forward.
The Energy Independence Summit brought to light the achievements we've made in clean energy and laid out a blueprint for the road ahead. However, the pursuit of clean energy is an enduring endeavor that requires unrelenting dedication and collaboration from all stakeholders. The commendable initiatives by organizations like Drive Clean Colorado and National Car Charging are powerful testaments to the potential for progress in this arena. However, their work must be met with unwavering support from the current administration and a cooperative spirit among all those invested in our sustainable future. Achieving our clean energy goals is within reach, but it necessitates ongoing commitment and shared determination. Together, we can pave the way for a future powered by clean, sustainable energy.
About Kamala Vanderkolk.
Kamala is currently a business development guru at National Car Charging, covering Colorado, Wyoming, Virginia, and the Greater Washington DC Metro region. She has been excited about electric vehicles for the past decade. That excitement turned to passion when she took delivery of her first EV in 2016. Since then, she has racked up 230,000+ EV miles, taken her children all over the United States and Canada (47 states and 2 provinces and counting) via EV. Her passion for EVs carried over into legislation. In 2019, she penned a bill (HB19-1298) that was approved and signed into law in an effort to protect charging station-outfitted EV parking spaces and electric fueling access in Colorado. Born and raised in Fairfax, Virginia, Kamala is a graduate of James Madison University where she majored in Media Arts & Design. She's lived in Colorado since 2011, and is mom to two kids, revolving exchange students, and a dog named Lucy. She loves skiing in the winter, paddle boarding in the summer, baking, and traveling.