DATE: July 24, 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: Maribel Feliciano, Assistant Director
Planning and Redevelopment Division
PHONE: 954-519-1424 Cell: 954-770-4501
EMAIL: mfeliciano@broward.org
BROWARD COUNTY, FL - The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently unveiled a new electric vehicle (EV) charging station at its District office, 3400 W. Commercial Blvd., in Ft. Lauderdale, as part of a statewide implementation pilot project. The pilot project was developed and implemented with support from the Broward County Planning and Redevelopment and Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Divisions, the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Southeast Florida Clean Cities Coalition.
Charging stations are accessible to the public and government fleets during regular business hours. The chargers are connected to the nationwide Charge-Point Network of EV charging stations, and access is provided through a Charge-Point Network card or Radio-frequency identification enabled credit cards. Vehicles using the electric vehicle charging infrastructure are subject to a user fee to recover operational expenses. Electric vehicle drivers will be able to activate access to the charging stations by logging on at chargepoint.com or by calling toll-free 888-758-4389.
The national goal of the joint implementation initiative is to allow EV drivers to travel using fast charging stations along the interstate system and provide access to charging infrastructure at workplaces and public access locations. "This initiative is another example of how state, regional and local governments can work together to advance policies adopted through the comprehensive planning process," said Maribel Feliciano, Assistant Director of the Planning and Redevelopment Division. "Broward County was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Smart Growth Partnership for its leadership promoting EV charging infrastructure and policies. We encourage other County employers to join the Department of Energy's Workplace Charging Challenge by pledging to offer charging facilities to their employees."
South Florida is among the fastest growing regions in the nation in plug-in-electric vehicle sales. Local and State governments are responding to the popularity of this technology and leading the way by expanding EV charging infrastructure through the implementation of action plans and policies such as Broward County Comprehensive Plan, the Community Energy Strategic Plan and the Climate Change Action Plan.
About Planning and Redevelopment:
The Planning and Redevelopment Division leads and participates in multiple programs, including managing the County's redevelopment and sustainability planning initiatives; coordinating corridor redevelopment plans that will increase the tax base; preparing and administering elements of the Broward County Comprehensive Plan; participating in municipal and unincorporated area redevelopment; coordinating the implementation of Complete Streets; supporting the County's renewable energy and climate resiliency initiatives; promoting compliance with community standards in unincorporated areas through enforcement of applicable zoning codes and regulations; administering the Broward County Land Development Code; and overseeing site plan review for the unincorporated area. The Division also evaluates rezoning requests, land use plan amendments and land use compatibility reviews; maintains demographic and economic databases; conducts research and analyses; develops Geographic Information System (GIS) applications; and coordinates the County's GIS Program.
About Environmental Planning and Community Resilience:
Broward County's Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division protects, restores and enhances the quality, abundance and diversity of the County's natural resources through coordinated management efforts in five areas: water resource policy and planning, urban and natural lands management, beach and marine resources, energy and sustainability, and environmental monitoring. For more information, call 954-519-1270, visit our website or follow us on Twitter.