OSWEGO, NY — City of Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow was joined by representatives of National Grid, Livingston Energy Group and local businesses to celebrate the installation of eight electric vehicle chargers at three locations across the city. The installation was made possible in part by National Grid’s Electric Vehicle Charging Station Make-Ready Program.

Officials gathered Monday at Breitbeck Park on the shore of Lake Ontario to celebrate the project’s completion. Four charging ports were installed at the park for public use. Two chargers each were also installed at the Anthony J. Crisafulli Skating Rink and the Charles E. Gallagher Swimming Pool. Two additional chargers at Oswego’s City Hall are under construction and will be electrified later this spring.

“National Grid launched one of the largest EV programs in the country outside of California, with a target to install 16,000 EV charging station plugs in upstate New York by mid-decade,” said Alberto Bianchetti, regional Director of Customer and Community Engagement for National Grid. “On behalf of National Grid, I would like to applaud the City of Oswego and Mayor Barlow for their leadership and proactive action to increase access to electric vehicles chargers in the community.”

National Grid supports the growth of electric vehicle charging in New York through its Make-Ready Program, which provides up to 100 percent of electric infrastructure costs associated with new electric vehicle stations. The company provided $54,000 to support the creation of electric infrastructure at the four sites, which was installed by Livingston Energy Group, a Schenectady-based solution provider for electric vehicle charging stations.

City of Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow said: “We are proud to install several electric car charging stations to give electric vehicle owners the ability and peace of mind to move in and around our community without worry. Electric cars are quickly becoming the way of the future, so by installing these charging stations we are positioning Oswego for long-term success. I’m so appreciative of our partners such as Livingston Energy Group and National Grid to assist with this project and look forward to working together to do more environmentally friendly projects in the future.”

Kate Kruk, Director of Community Engagement for Livingston Energy Group, said, “We are proud to be part of the city of Oswego’s solution for integrating clean energy technology into their community. When New York communities deploy our EV charging solutions, they are investing in New York technology and innovation that attracts drivers to the area, contributes to economic development, and supports New York’s climate initiatives. Through Livingston’s Charge Leader Program our team partners with communities across the country to plan and deploy the infrastructure to support transportation electrification in their community.”

National Grid invested more than $4.1 million in 2021 to install 756 charging ports in upstate New York. In Oswego County, ports were installed in Phoenix at Bradley Place, Paddocks Landing and Patrick Courts, and the Village of Pulaski Municipal Building.

National Grid has committed $143 million toward its Electric Vehicle Charging Station Make-Ready Program, one of the largest programs of its kind in the nation, to support the state’s energy goals of adding 16,000 vehicle plugs in National Grid’s upstate New York region. This contributes to the state’s goal of having 850,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2025. Additionally, clean energy and sustainability and environmental justice are key pillars of National Grid’s Project C initiative, which inspires its commitment to the community.     

National Grid’s EV charging program is available for businesses, multi-unit residential buildings and retail stores, as well as parks and vacation destinations. National Grid also offers a program for companies looking to electrify their fleets, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and meet the decarbonization goals of the states where the utility operates.

“More of our customers are buying electric vehicles and they are looking to their leaders to increase the number of chargers in their towns and cities,” Bianchetti said. “We are working closely with our local communities, companies, and agencies, like the City of Oswego, and vendor partners such as Livingston Energy Group, to expand access to electric vehicle chargers across upstate New York.”

National Grid is committed to combatting climate change and taking steps toward a clean energy future. As part of its work to achieve those targets, and in conjunction with its environmental policy and programs, National Grid was a principal partner in the COP26, the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference. The involvement in COP26 continues National Grid’s legacy of working with partners in government and private industry to find common ground and solutions for the climate crisis. In the U.S., National Grid has already achieved a 75 percent reduction in emissions across its business. The company’s Responsible Business Charter and Net Zero by 2050 Plan lay the groundwork for sustained momentum toward a net zero future.

Learn more about how you can become an environmental leader and install an EV charging station at little or no cost by visiting National Grid’s Electric Vehicle Charging Station Make-Ready Program at https://www.nationalgridus.com/takechargeprogramuny.

About National Grid

About National Grid: National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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