Author: GWRCCC Team Published: 09/05/2025 Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition

Summer Sustainability Scoop – GWRCCC September Edition

September 2025 | Issue

A Message from the

CEO & Executive Director

GWRCCC is pushing alongside our 100-plus network of Clean Coalitions from across the country for the release of funding approved by Congress. We are also working to ensure that federal funding is available for Clean Cities and Communities Coalitions in the years ahead. Thank you to the hundreds of individuals, businesses, and organizations that support this effort.

The GWRCCC-led Maryland Biofuels Fuels Task Force has recommended the passage of a Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) in Maryland. The LFCS, modeled after the State of California, would accelerate the usage of various alternative fuels by providing financial incentives. Hopefully, the Maryland legislature and governor will embrace our proposal.

GWRCCC is encouraging all stakeholders, members, businesses, and individuals to take advantage of the Electric Vehicle incentives that expire on September 30, 2025. Persons can save between $4,000-$7,500 on select new and/or leased electric vehicles.

I want to congratulate the DC Department of Public Works on winning one of the Top 10 fleets of the Year in the U.S. Award by NAFA. DC DOW will also be recognized at the GWRCCC Awards Luncheon at our Annual Clean Energy and Transportation Conference on October 23, 2025, at Martin’s Crosswinds, Greenbelt, Maryland.

For tickets and more conference information, visit www.gwrccc.org. Sponsorship, exhibitor, and branding opportunities are available.

***Donate an item to the silent auction or door prize raffle at the 2025 GWRCCC Annual Clean Energy and Transportation Conference. Contact Jade Bynum at jadebynum@gwrccc.org or call the office at 202-671-1580.

GWRCCC will continue to lead towards a cleaner transportation future.

Sincerely,

Antoine M. Thompson

CEO & Executive Director

Monthly Clean Energy & Transport Industry Meeting

Join our Monthly Clean Energy Meeting for exciting updates and opportunities from GWRCCC and our local leaders!

Receive clean energy, environmental and transportation updates from local industry leaders on funding, business and job opportunities.

Hosted on Zoom

Upcoming Events

GWRCCC’s EV 101 workshop will take place September 10th over zoom from 6:00-7:00pm. The GWRCCC and Drive Electric DMV & PGC Happy Hour, Friday September 12th, 6pm to 8pm, at 4400 Forbes Boulevard, Lanham, Maryland. Register Today for the GWRCCC Annual Clean Energy & Transportation Conference on October 23, 2025, at https://gwrccc.org/annual-conference. The conference will have over 12 workshops, training, vehicle and fleet showcase, silent auction, ride and drive, luncheon awards, a reception, a legislative update and much more. Sponsorship and branding opportunities are available.

How You Can Help GWRCCC

Many people have asked how you can help GWRCCC keep going forward as not profit, charitable organizations. First, you can make a tax-deductible donation at www.gwrccc.org/donations. Second, you can become a member or renew your membership (dues are paid each year) at www.gwrccc.org/membership. Third, you or your organization/company can sponsor a GWRCCC event, meeting, conference, program or project. You can also make in-kind contributions (donating the use of a venue or meeting place, supplies, door prizes, vehicles, equipment, etc.). Together we can continue to move onwards towards a cleaner and better environment.

GWRCCC Sponsor Spotlight

Sheryl Ponds | Diatech Corp

Sheryl launched DaiTechCorp inspired by her personal desire to own an EV and working through her experience to overcome Range Anxiety. Stymied by the physical limitations to energize her vehicle at home and at work, she sensed that there are many individuals like her, living in urban markets, who require more accessibility to EVCE’s – in place where they live, work and play. Concluding there were no friction-less market solutions available, Sheryl began creating her own and courageously catapulted into the new era of electrified transportation.

GWRCCC in the Community

Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference (August 25-27)

Antoine M. Thompson, CEO & Executive Director of GWRCCC was very busy at the Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference in Winston Salem, NC. He was the moderator of a panel and a table top conversation on telematics.

DC ev charging station event August 8, 2025

Congratulations to the DC Government on helping to open new EV charging stations at 3375 Benning Road, NE, Washington, DC on August 8, 2025. Now, more people will have access to charging their electric ️cars.

AMT Speaker at MML Summer Policy Forum

Friday, August 1st, GWRCCC Executive Director Antoine M. Thompson spoke at the Summer Symposium panel, “The Hidden Costs of Inequity: Energy Burden in Marginalized Communities” at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Annapolis, MD.

AMT & Gov Wes Moore at MACO 2025

GWRCCC attended the 2025 Maryland Association of Counties Conference (MACO) promoting clean energy and transportation. Together we can create jobs, reduce pollution and save lives. GWRCCC CEO & Executive Director Antoine M. Thompson had the opportunity to speak with Governor Wes Moore on the importance of Biofuels and a Low Carbon Fuel Standard for Maryland. Thankyou to the Maryland Soybean Board for their hospitality!

All Things Fleet

Buy an EV before October

New electric vehicles that meet federal domestic manufacturing requirements qualify for a tax credit of up to $7,500. While credits on foreign-made EVs aren’t offered directly to consumers, automakers do get them and often pass the savings along through leases. Used EVs under $25,000 that are purchased at a dealer are also eligible for up to a $4,000 credit.

All of this goes away on September 30. There will be no credits after that. Ultimately, this will make new electric vehicles more expensive and put the technology further out of reach for low- to moderate-income Americans.

The income caps on the EV credits still apply, limiting the benefit on new EVs to those households earning less than $300,000 and on used vehicles to those earning less than $150,000. There is an MSRP limit of $80,000 for new cars too.

Propane: A Smart Solution for Fleet Managers

Fleet managers across the country are turning to propane because it offers cost savings,

reliable performance, and cleaner operations. Compared to diesel and gasoline, propane

vehicles produce fewer harmful emissions, improving air quality and supporting public health. Propane’s clean combustion also lowers engine wear, reducing maintenance costs and extending vehicle life, a major benefit for high-mileage fleets.

Medium-duty fleets especially benefit from propane’s balance of range, payload capacity, and fuel economy. Vehicles can travel up to 400 miles per day on propane while maintaining the power and torque drivers expect. Propane also performs well in cold weather, avoiding the startup issues common with other fuels.

With fuel typically costing significantly less than diesel and the availability of federal incentives, propane delivers a quick return on investment. Flexible fueling options, from public stations to on-site infrastructure, make propane a proven, scalable solution for fleets seeking efficiency, savings, and sustainability.

Sources: DOE, Advanced Clean Tech News

Best Practices for EV Fleet Managers

Electric vehicle (EV) fleets offer long-term savings and sustainability, but require

specialized management. Key best practices include:

Prioritize battery health

○ Perform regular state-of-health (SOH) testing.

○ Limit frequent fast charging; encourage overnight or off-peak charging.

○ Educate drivers on smart charging habits.

Optimize charging infrastructure

○ Balance slow charging with occasional rapid charging during peak demand.

○ Schedule charging to reduce bottlenecks and downtime.

○ Inspect and maintain charging equipment regularly.

Maintain thermal management systems

○ Routinely check cooling and heating systems.

○ Pre-condition batteries in cold weather.

○ Use proper storage and cooling strategies in hot climates.

Leverage EV diagnostics and software

○ Use EV-specific diagnostic tools to detect issues early.

○ Keep firmware updated during downtime to improve performance.

Invest in technician training

○ Provide ongoing EV-specific training.

○ Ensure teams can safely and efficiently service electric drivetrains.

These practices keep EV fleets reliable, cost-effective, and future-ready.

Sources: EVRange, Midtronics, FuelForce

Request for Information: Medium and Heavy-Duty EV Charging Infrastructure

The Clean Corridor Coalition (C3) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) on medium and heavy-duty vehicle (MHDV) charging technologies, infrastructure requirements, site design, industry needs, and grant program design criteria.

C3, led by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in partnership with Connecticut, Delaware, and Maryland agencies, was awarded a $249 million EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant in 2024 to advance MHDV charging infrastructure.

The RFI seeks input from stakeholders including fleet owners/operators, MHDV manufacturers, site developers, charging technology providers, EV service providers, and other experts in fleet electrification. Responses will help shape a future solicitation to deploy charging infrastructure along the I-95 corridor and nearby freight routes in NJ, CT, DE, and MD.

Responses are due September 30, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. EDT.

Submit to: C3Project@dep.nj.gov with subject line “C3 MHDV Charging RFI Response.”

Click here to read the full RFI

Did you know that EV Incentives end on September 30th? Now is the time to electrify your fleet!

FinEV helps small businesses in the DC area transition their fleets to electric with competitive financing, expert fleet assessments, and wrap-around services for a smooth switch.

Through our partnership, GWRCCC members get a FREE assessment. Get started today to get access to the best rates and dedicated support. Click here.

Contact Ajay (ajay@gwrccc.org) or Dotun (dotun@finev.co) with any queries.

Check Out Our Fleet Equity Guide

GWRCCC 2025 Events

EV 101 Workshop

Attend this virtual EV 101 workshop to learn more about EV incentives that run out on September 30, 2025.

Learn the basics about Electric Vehicles, batteries and EV charging stations. Know about your other local incentives and resources.

Drive Electric DMV: Prince George’s Chapter Meetup

Calling all EV Drivers, enthusiasts and community members in Prince George’s County. Join us for a fun and informative meetup with Drive Electric DMV to learn all about electric vehicles! Use this happy hour to network, learn, and connect.

Own an EV? Bring it to the event and spark some conversation!

For corporate vendor tabling and sponsorship opportunities, contact ajay@gwrccc.org

Upper Marlboro Job Fair

Location: Westphalia Community Center, 8900 Westphalia Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

Date: Thursday, September 30

Time: 10 am – 1 pm EDT

Join the September GWRCCC Job Fair in Upper Marlboro, MD where many employers and training providers will be on site!

Topics & Panelists Recommendations

Join Our Planning Committee

GWRCCC 2025 Annual Clean Energy & Transportation

Conference

Location: Martin’s Crosswinds Green Belt, MD

Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

The future of clean transportation starts here! Join policymakers, industry experts, and sustainability advocates for insightful discussions, networking, and solutions-driven strategies to accelerate the clean energy transition.

Volunteer with us!

Be a part of the energy behind our annual conference!

Our annual Clean Energy Conference is just two months away, and we’re calling on passionate volunteers to help make it a success! 🙌

This is your chance to:

Meet leaders in clean energy and sustainability
Contribute to building a cleaner, healthier future for our region
Network with professionals, community members, and innovators
Play a key role in one of the most exciting events of the year

From welcoming guests, to assisting with the silent auction, to keeping everything running smoothly — our volunteers are the heartbeat of the conference.

Ready to make a difference? Sign up today to join our volunteer team and help power a better tomorrow!

Learn more

National Drive Electric Month: EV in DC 2025

Location: National Mall on Third St. in front of US Capitol Third St SW

Washington, DC 20560

Date: Sunday, September 28th, 2025

Time: 10:00am-3:00pm EDT

Want to stop buying gasoline? Come learn about electric vehicles! The Electric Vehicle Association of Greater Washington DC will have EV owners available to answer questions!

District Heights – Municipal Campus Forest Clean Up

The City of District Heights, in partnership with ASEZ WAO, will host the Municipal Campus Forest Cleanup to bring residents, volunteers, and faith-based organizations together in a day of action, fostering civic pride and demonstrating the positive impact of community collaboration!

RSVP below to join us on Sunday, September 7th, from 9 am to 1 pm for this community event! Light snacks and cleaning supplies will be provided! Closed-toe shoes and long clothing are highly recommended.

RSVP

Charging Smart 101 Webinar

The Charging Smart 101 webinar will dive into what the program is and how it can help local governments achieve their electric vehicle readiness goals. If you are interested, you can learn more and register here:

Become A GWRCCC Sponsor

Become a Advocate Today!

Join GWRCCC in promoting clean, alternative transportation fuels for improved air quality and energy security. As a sponsor, your organization can further this mission, connect with like-minded partners, and access valuable resources. Click below for more details!

Sponsorship

Become A GWRCCC Member

Join GWRCCC and gain access to exclusive clean energy and transportation resources, networking, and advocacy opportunities.

Membership Levels:

Sustaining Member ($5,000 annually) – Includes logo placement, speaking opportunities, event hosting, and Board eligibility.
Gold Member ($2,500 annually) – Includes logo placement, event participation, and Board eligibility.
Silver Member ($1,000 annually) – Listed in the directory, logo on the website, and Board eligibility.
Business Member ($250 annually) – Directory listing, website recognition, and Board eligibility.
Citizen Advocate ($25 annually) – Access to special events and a monthly newsletter.
Student ($10 annually) – Invitations to educational workshops and job forums.
Kids’ Club ($5 annually) – Environmental education, fun events, and activities.

If you don’t already have an account, you will need to create a new one on MemberPlanet. Click on the “Join Today” button and enter your full name, email address, and other required information.

Don’t forget to renew or start your membership today. For questions, email Kimberly Harden, or Antoine Thompson, or call (202) 671-1580.

Join Today

Funding Opportunities

Climate Change Investment Initiative (2c2i)

Exelon, the country’s largest public utility, and the non-profit Exelon Foundation, to identify climate-focused startups for their Climate Change Investment Initiative (2c2i) This fantastic program provides funding and support to startups addressing any aspect of sustainability/climate resilience that could benefit one of Exelon’s markets – Chicago, Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and Wilmington, DE. Exelon’s 2c2i has invested in 35 diverse startups since 2019, and applications for the next round are open now through Sept. 29.

More information on 2c2i is below, and you can read the announcement of recent winners here.

The U.S. National Science Foundation opens the Design for Environmental Sustainability in Computing (DESC) program

The DESC program goal is to address the substantial environmental impacts that computing has throughout its entire life cycle. These impacts not only go beyond measures of energy consumption at run-time, but also include greenhouse gas emissions, creation of toxic byproducts, and the depletion of scarce resources such as rare Earth elements. The deadline for the grant proposal is September 12, 2025. For more information, click here.

Charge Up Fairfax is open for enrollment

Are you part of a common interest community in Fairfax County and thinking about installing EV chargers?

You’re in luck, the Charge Up Fairfax program is here to help!

This initiative supports common-interest communities in making EV charging more accessible and affordable. Whether you’re just exploring the idea or ready to get started, Charge Up Fairfax offers guidance, technical assistance, and funding opportunities to bring EV charging to your neighborhood.

This year, the program has introduced three key changes:

Applications accepted continuously
Reimbursement grant amounts increased
New eligible users include places of worship and other nonprofits

With this expansion, these critical community hubs can now benefit from both technical and financial assistance to install Level 2 EV charging stations, starting at $8,000 in reimbursement grants.

Communities interested in joining this important initiative can choose between a grant-only program, a full-service program, or a combination with Dominion Energy’s Level 2 EV Charging Program, tailored to meet diverse needs.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the green movement in Fairfax County! Let’s charge up, Fairfax, and drive our community towards a cleaner, greener future!

Visit the Charge Up Fairfax webpage for more details and to apply to the program, or contact oeecelectricvehicles@fairfaxcounty.gov NSF Engineering Research Initiation (ERI) grant The NSF Directorate for Engineering (ENG) seeks to build engineering research capacity across the nation by investing in new academic investigators who have yet to receive sufficient research funding from Federal Agencies. The Engineering Research Initiation (ERI) program will support new investigators as they initiate their research programs and advance in their careers as researchers, educators, and innovators. This funding opportunity aims to broaden the base of investigators involved in engineering research and, therefore, is limited to investigators who are not affiliated with “very high research activity” R1 institutions. Deadline for submissions is September 16, 2025. For more information, click here.

Multifamily Electric Vehicle Charging Assistance

The DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) is offering $1,000,500 in funding to support the planning, installation, and maintenance of EV charging stations in multifamily buildings across Washington, DC. This program provides both financial and technical assistance to expand equitable access to clean transportation.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, government agencies, universities, and private enterprises. The project period runs from the date of award through September 2027.

An information session will be held Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 1–2pm ET (virtual).

Applications are due by Monday, September 29, 2025, at 11:59pm ET.

Click here to learn more at the project webpage, or email 2025.multifamilyEVchargingincentive.grants@dc.gov with any questions.

Public Electric Vehicle Charging

The DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) is providing $609,500 in funding to support the planning, installation, ownership, operation, and maintenance of public EV charging stations at or near District Government property in Washington, DC. This initiative is designed to expand access to clean, reliable transportation infrastructure for residents and visitors.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, universities/educational institutions, and private enterprises. The project period runs from the date of award through September 2027.

An information session will be held Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 1–2pm ET (virtual).

Applications are due by Monday, September 22, 2025, at 11:59pm ET.

Click here to learn more at the project webpage, or email 2025publicEVcharging.grants@dc.gov

with any questions.

Wyoming DEQ Volkswagen (VW) Mitigation Grant Program

The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has opened its latest round of funding for emissions reduction projects across the state. Projects must focus on mitigating nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from vehicles listed within the eligible mitigation actions established in DEQ’s VW Mitigation Plan.

There is $1,500,000 in funding available. In past cycles (2019 and 2024), WY DEQ supported a wide range of projects, including refuse trucks, airport ground support equipment, and school buses for organizations such as Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole Airport, Sublette County School District #1, and others.

Applications are due by Friday, October 31, 2025, at 5:00 p.m EDT.

Applications will be scored on a 70-point scale, based on how well proposals meet criteria in the VW Mitigation Plan and the level of detail provided.

This is an open and competitive process, and all applicants will receive fair and equal consideration.

For support in developing your proposal, contact alicia@ytcleancities.org or click here to learn more.

2025 Vehicle Replacement Program (VRP)

The 2025 VRP is funded through a combination of EPA Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) grants and the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust settlement fund. This competitive program provides reimbursement rebates to cover a percentage of the cost of eligible vehicle replacements, as well as costs for all-electric vehicle infrastructure when replacing an eligible vehicle with an EV.

Applications are due by Monday, September 22, 2025, at 12:00 a.m. (midnight) Mountain Time.

This is a competitive process — if interested, be sure to prepare your application early to take advantage of this opportunity for cleaner, more efficient vehicles and infrastructure.

For more information about this funding opportunity, click here.

For more funding opportunities, check out CEBN’s Funding Database

More News

Click to read more

EV tax credit ends soon, but it’s still as complicated as ever: What to know

The federal clean vehicle tax credit was set to expire at the end of 2032, but the mega-tax bill signed into law in July pushed that expiration deadline up to Sept. 30. Not everyone will qualify for the EV tax credit, including those who make too much money. Paperwork is key for those who buy before the Sept. 30 expiration date of the EV tax credit.

Biofuel groups weigh in on EPA’s RFS proposal

The EPA’s proposed rule for 2026–2027 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes has drawn broad support from biofuel groups, though many urged adjustments. The plan would raise renewable fuel blending obligations to more than 24 billion RINs annually, sustain a 15-billion-gallon mandate for conventional ethanol, and boost targets for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels. It also proposes limiting RIN value for imported fuels, removing electricity (eRINs) from the program, and tightening feedstock tracking. While groups like Clean Fuels Alliance, RFA, ACE, and Growth Energy praised higher volumes and support for U.S.-made fuels, they cautioned against small refinery exemptions and called for even stronger targets. The RNG Coalition criticized cuts to cellulosic volumes and the removal of eRINs, urging EPA to restore growth-oriented requirements.

Click to read more

Maryland launches $64 million clean energy program for local governments

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced a new Local Government Energy Modernization Program, providing $64 million to help counties cut utility costs, modernize infrastructure, and advance the state’s net-zero goals. Managed by the Maryland Energy Administration, the program offers both formula-based and competitive grants for projects like solar panels, HVAC upgrades, and energy efficiency improvements. With an income-based cost-share to include rural and underserved areas, applications are open through Dec. 5.

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