The electric vehicle (EV) charging station that was agreed upon in June has been installed at Harwood Union High School, according to Ray Daigle, director of facilities.
Last fall Washington Electric Cooperative (WEC) approached the Harwood Union High School board about installing an electric vehicle charging station at the school at no cost to the school, while also paying for five years of operation.
The installation began on August 9.
The board originally turned down the opportunity, but after students and community members asked the board to reconsider they voted to proceed with the installation.
Brigid Sheffert Nease, superintendent of the Washington West Supervisory Union, has worked this summer on a revised contract with Washington Electric Cooperative.
Sheffert Nease was concerned over ownership issues and possible repairs that the system might need after the five years is over. She approached WEC about a plan similar to that of Champlain Valley Union High School’s with Green Mountain Power (GMP) in which GMP assumes ownership and reparation costs.
The new contract that was worked out between Washington West Supervisory Union and WEC gave the responsibility of installing the EV charging station to WEC and Harwood was responsible for all permits needed to complete the work.
The agreement states that the full responsibility for costs, charges, labor and liabilities will fall to Harwood Union High School; however, WEC will obtain a warranty from ChargePoint, the company that will service the charging station.
For at least the next five years, students and residents in The Valley can be assured that the area has an EV charging station.
Possible Educational Purposes
Green drivers are not the only ones eyeing the EV charging station’s anticipated arrival. Brian Wagner, a teacher at Harwood Middle School, approached the board about using the EV charging station with his classes.
