[vendtalk] FW: Transportation Update: Bill Voted out of Committee

[Vandervoort's]

Thanks for the update Kevan!  I know I can count on NABM leadership
conveying to us what we need to know.

With some of my business being eliminated by the USPS, I am more concerned
now about rest stop viability and expansion.  As for electric charging
stations at rest stops, I had read this was a potential vending type
operation due to the rise in the sale and use of electric vehicles.  But,
engaging in the charging business would cost many thousands of dollars of
investment at each rest stop.  I know that required infrastructure is not
budgeted by our TX-DOT in the next two years.  I am fearful that our BEP/BET
programs might be suddenly burdened by the cost, on its own, or else, maybe
lose the opportunity to private industry.  Is there any serious discussions
on who would fund the design and installation of such a capability?  

In Texas, I do believe that charging stations will be something of an
opportunity down the road, but not likely in the short-term.  I can also
believe that traditional service stations and truck stops will offer that
capability sooner, be in a position to roll-over newer technology faster,
and will engage in it more aggressively than can our current manager-funded
BEP/BET equipment programs.  I may be wrong but that is my best guess.  

Please keep us informed of any change that could translate into a viable
business opportunity at our rest stops or on any other aspect of importance
to us.

Thank you, 
Mike Vandervoort
Abilene, TX

-----Original Message-----
From: vendtalk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:vendtalk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Kevan Worley
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2011 2:57 PM
To: Vendtalk Mailing List
Subject: [vendtalk] FW: Transportation Update: Bill Voted out of Committee

 

From: Sean Whalen [mailto:swhalen at linchpinstrategies.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2011 12:46 PM
To: mjones at okdrs.gov; Ray.Hopkins at dbvi.virginia.gov; 'Hartle, Jesse';
jpare at nfb.org; mbrunson at acb.org; 'Eric Bridges'; 'sippl'; 'Roy Harmon';
'Nick Gacos'; 'Kevan Worley'
Cc: 'Catriona Macdonald'
Subject: Transportation Update: Bill Voted out of Committee

 

Good afternoon,

 

This morning the Senate EPW committee voted 18 - 0 to pass the surface
transportation reauthorization bill out of committee. The bill had no
provisions dealing with the commercialization of federal highway rest areas.
There was, however, one amendment of note. Senator Sanders of Vermont had an
amendment accepted that requires the Secretary of Transportation to conduct
a study on the deployment of electric charging stations across the country.
This is something we will monitor moving forward.

 

While the bill has passed out of committee, we are not certain of the
timeline for consideration on the floor of the Senate. As you know, it is
still very possible that the commercialization issue come up as an amendment
on the floor. We will remain vigilant as the bill continues through the
legislative process, and we will keep you informed of all developments.
Please be prepared to conduct outreach to Senators if an amendment hits.

 

Thank you all for your continued attention to this issue.

 

I will be back in touch as the situation warrants.

 

Take care,

 

Sean

 

Sean Whalen

Policy Associate

Linchpin Strategies, LLC

 

639 Massachusetts Ave NE

Washington, DC 20002

Phone:  (866) 443-0998

Fax:       (202) 318-8113

 

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