Plug and Play at Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort
Sep 10, 2020
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Environment Division Invests In Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
AKWESASNE – Owners of electric and hybrid vehicles can now charge their vehicles for free while visiting Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort (AMCR). Funds from a 2015 Volkwagen lawsuit were used to purchase and install the two (2) new Clipper Creek Electric Vehicle Charging Stations located on the property.
Tuesday, Seskehkó:wa/September 8th, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council and Air Quality Program met with AMCR Executives to celebrate the installation of the level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. Located in the AMCR RV Parking Lot, the charging stations are one of four total locations identified by Air Quality Program Manager Angela Benedict.
“There will be Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Ionkwakiokwaró:ron Tribal Administration Building, Generations Park, and Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Health Services Building,” explained Benedict, who has overseen the project from inception.
The cost of installation, just over $1,700, was covered by settlement funds resulting from a lawsuit settlement against Volkswagon (VW). The settlement fund included an allocation of over $50 million for tribal beneficiaries to use for eligible mitigation projects. The amount allocated to Tribal communities is based on the 2010 U.S. Census that showed an Akwesasne community population of 3,292 people; which only represented approximately 45% of the actual population. As a result, SRMT received a total of $249,007; but the amount could have been significantly more and stresses the importance to be counted in the 2020 U.S. Census.
Settlement funds from the VW lawsuit have also been used to purchase two vehicles, for Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Transfer Station and Planning and Infrastructure.
For more information, contact Air Quality Program Manager Angela Benedict at (518) 358-5937.
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