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As transmission pollution increases, Bozeman plans to install electric vehicle chargers

An electric vehicle is plugged in for a charge at stations in a Walmart parking lot in Duarte, Calif. Biden is proposing $174 billion in spending on boosting the electric vehicle market.
Bozeman will install electric vehicle charging stations around the city as part of its climate plan.

Bozeman is preparing to install electric vehicle chargers throughout the city as part of its climate action plan.

Sustainability Manager Natalie Meyer told the city commission this week that transportation is the fastest growing source of emissions in Bozeman.

“Transportation represents 38% of Bozeman’s greenhouse gas emissions,” Meyer said.

City data shows the majority of commuters in Bozeman drive solo, with an average drive time of around 15 minutes.

Electric vehicle chargers will be installed at the city’s new public safety center in north Bozeman. Meyer says a site selection study is underway to determine where the city will install additional charging stations.

The initiative is part of Bozeman's goal of becoming a carbon-neutral city by 2050.

The Department of Environmental Quality announced earlier this week the state is using funds from a settlement with Volkswagento install 15 fast-charging stations around Montana — one in Gardiner near Yellowstone and the others along heavily traveled highway corridors.

Olivia Weitz covers Bozeman and surrounding communities in Southwest Montana for Yellowstone Public Radio. She has reported for Northwest News Network and Boise State Public Radio and previously worked at a daily print newspaper. She is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound and the Transom Story Workshop.