Electric vehicle charging station activated
all charged up - The Peaks to Prairies Project electrified the Electric Vehicle Charging Network station on Nov. 15, holding an official ribbon cutting at the station. From left are Asanga Gunatillaka, senior director - ATCO; Megan Lohmann, head community energy management, Community Energy Association; Bev Thornton, executive director at Alberta SouthWest Regional Alliance; Mike Cutler, councillor, Claresholm; Kieth Carlson, deputy mayor, Claresholm; Jim Willett, chair, SouthGrow Regional Initiative; Brad Schlossberger, councillor, Claresholm; and Peter Casurella, executive director, SouthGrow.
By Rob Vogt Local Press Writer
The Electric Vehicle Charging Network station in Claresholm has been activated and is ready to put a charge into vehicles. On Nov. 15, the Peaks to Prairies Project held a ribbon cutting to officially launch the station, located just north of Roy’s Place next to Highway 2. These stations are owned and operated by ATCO. According to a news release, Peaks to Prairies is a community-driven, collaborative initiative that was developed by Alberta SouthWest Regional Alliance, SouthGrow Regional Initiative, The City of Calgary, City of Lethbridge, City of Medicine Hat and Medicine Hat College. The purpose of the initiative is to establish an electric vehicle charging network across Southern Alberta, connecting communities from the Crowsnest Pass to Medicine Hat, Pincher Creek to Calgary, and west to Canmore. The full network will see 20 stations installed by the end of 2019, resulting in more than 1,100 kilometres of highway connected for electric vehicle travel. The network will facilitate travel to and within the region, positioning Southern Alberta communities to benefit from increased electric vehicle tourism. Like all stations in the Peaks to Prairies network, these have been strategically located within the towns to ensure easy access to amenities and attractions unique to each community, as well as the incredible natural beauty and rich history of the region. “Claresholm is excited to be a part of this project. We are a thriving community that encourages economic prosperity through innovative and progressive thinking,” said Doug MacPherson, mayor of Claresholm. “We are the ideal location to soak in Southern Alberta history; our museum and visitor information centre have unique displays where you can get all the information you need to navigate the beauty and history of the area.” The two-year, $2.2 million project is funded by Alberta SouthWest Regional Alliance, SouthGrow Regional Initiative, The City of Calgary, City of Lethbridge, City of Medicine Hat and Medicine Hat College in partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program. The project is facilitated by the Community Energy Association.
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