By Mike Finney

Delawareans can learn about two key strategies — electric vehicle infrastructure and clean-car regulations — at virtual meetings hosted by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Department of Transportation this month.

According to environmental officials, transportation is a leading cause of smog-forming air pollutants in Delaware and the top contributor of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

Delaware’s Climate Action Plan outlines several initiatives to reduce those emissions, including advanced clean-car requirements, transitioning to zero-emission vehicles and ensuring the proper infrastructure for the growth of electric vehicles.

“Delaware is preparing for a transition to a clean transportation future,” said DNREC secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “More choices from manufacturers, longer range and affordability are making it easier for consumers to switch to cleaner vehicles, including electric vehicles. DelDOT and DNREC are moving forward together with parallel efforts to assure a smooth transition.”

Those proposals include developing an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan for the state and adopting California’s Advanced Clean Cars II program.

Information on the electric vehicle plan will be presented at two one-hour sessions, Nov. 14 at 5 and 6 p.m. They are the same as those held Oct. 24, repeated this month for anyone who missed them.

Topics to be covered are the plan’s purpose, current electric vehicle infrastructure and how future EV infrastructure could be prioritized.

Participants also can have their questions answered by experts and provide feedback for the next phase of planning.

Visit the Transportation Department’s website to learn more, explore information in the virtual meeting room or get meeting login information.

Regarding the Advanced Clean Cars II initiative, the Division of Air Quality will host virtual workshops on amending Delaware Code to adopt the low-emission vehicle and greenhouse gas standards, as well as add requirements for zero-emission vehicles for model year 2027 and beyond.

The meetings will be held Nov. 15 at 10 a.m., Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. and Nov. 17 at 6 p.m.

For information on these sessions, visit the division’s webpage.