skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Air pollution linked to coal plants more deadly than previously thought; Israel-Hamas truce extends as aid reaches Gaza; high school seniors face big college application challenges.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

House Republicans differ on January 6th footage, Speaker Johnson says any Ukraine funding must include changes to border policy and former New Jersey Governor Christie says former President Trump is fueling anti-Semitism and hate.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rural low income youth, especially boys, experience greater economic mobility than those in cities, a new government rule should help level the playing field for small poultry growers, and the Kansas Governor wants her state to expand Medicaid.

Study: EVs in PA can rev up taxpayer savings, pollution reduction

play audio
Play

Thursday, September 21, 2023   

Pennsylvania governments could save taxpayers millions and reduce pollution by transitioning their fleets to electric vehicles, according to findings from a recent report.

Currently, there are more than 40,000 electric vehicles registered in the Keystone State, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Flora Cardoni, field director for the PennEnvironment Research and Policy Center, said government shifting to electric vehicles would significantly reduce fuel and maintenance costs, while also improving air quality. She added Pennsylvania could save taxpayers more than $360 million dollars by transitioning government fleets to electric vehicles.

"The switch to electric vehicles, to light-duty vehicles, would also reduce global warming pollution in Pennsylvania by more than 800,000 tons, emitting 64% less than vehicles powered by gasoline," Cardoni reported. "That's huge, and helping us tackle the climate crisis. And then at the same time, the switch would also clean up our air and protect our health."

Cardoni pointed out it would also reduce carbon monoxide emissions by 94%, volatile organic compound emissions by 92%, and nitrogen oxide emissions by 31%. She noted in the United States, transportation is the number one source of global-warming pollution contributing to the climate crisis.

Cardoni emphasized federal incentives such as the commercial clean vehicle credit, which passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, would make it easier and more affordable for the Pennsylvania government to make the switch to electric vehicles.

"They offer savings of up to $7,500 per light-duty vehicle and can help offset those upfront costs," Cardoni explained. "But really, most of the cost savings come from the fact that buying and fueling and maintaining gas and diesel-fueled vehicle fleets is a major expense for state and local governments, especially when gas prices are high."

Cardoni stressed the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment in JOBS Act provide government entities with funding for building electric vehicle charging stations. She added the report offers recommendations for Pennsylvania governments to help to save money, reduce pollution, and improve air quality for all residents.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Based on current environmental impacts, residents of Petersburg have a life expectancy 10 years lower than the national average, according to U.S. News & World Report. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a plan extending a natural-gas pipeline in Virginia. The Virginia Reliability Plan and Transcot's …


Social Issues

play sound

Today is Giving Tuesday, a day when millions of Americans are expected to make charitable donations. But it can also be a field day for scammers…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Starting Friday, North Carolinians will have greater access to health care as the long-awaited Medicaid expansion is launched. Medicaid will …


Democrats' trust in the media has fallen 12 points over the past year, to 58%, and compares with 11% among Republicans and 29% among independents, according to Gallup. (Christian Schwier/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A new project in Southern Arizona aims to support local reporting and enable greater access to local news and information. Earlier this month…

Social Issues

play sound

As the weather turns colder, two groups of people in one North Dakota city that are generations apart appear to be in good shape to navigate housing …

Social Issues

play sound

Illinois high school seniors have new hurdles to overcome to get to college. High school students are waiting several extra weeks to get their hands …

Environment

play sound

Missouri's duck-hunting season runs through January, and many enthusiasts are concerned about how plentiful their future quarry will be because of a …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021