Editor’s note: A previous version of this article said that SPET funds have been approved. They have not yet been approved, rather the Town has directed Town Staff to request SPET funds. That change has been reflected below. Buckrail regrets the error.
JACKSON, Wyo. — The discussion turned to energy infrastructure, specifically surrounding electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, at the same Dec. 15 Town Council meeting that was rife with talks about housing and locker rooms.
Ecosystem Stewardship Administrator Tanya Anderson presented a request to the town to prepare a contract with Winn-Marion Companies to design, install and manage EV charging station infrastructure in town. Anderson then requested that the town direct staff to request use of $147,000 from the Energy Conservation Specific Purpose Excise Tax (SPET) fund from 2022 for the project. The motion for the proposed project was passed unanimously. Anderson is currently working on an application for the SPET funds.
The project itself is projected to cost $735,000. Of that, 80% — or $588,000 — of the cost is covered by federal funding from a grant agreement with the Federal Highway Administration that was executed on Jan. 17, 2025. According to the grant requirements, the Town will match 20%: $147,000. Funding for this project was already budgeted for the 2026 fiscal year prior to the Dec. 15 Town Council meeting.
“It’s an incredible leverage of local dollars for these federal funds,” Executive Director of Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities Alicia Cox shared in public comment.
Per the passed motion, Energy Conservation SPET funds will be reimbursed if a Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) direct pay rebate is awarded.
Completion of the project will result in 20 new charging stations, four of which will be fast-charging stations in the Home Ranch parking lot. There are currently two fast-charging stations in town in the Millward/Simpson parking garage.
