Three state-of-the-art vehicle charging stations could be operational at the Niskayuna Price Chopper as early as next month after approvals Monday night from the town Planning Board.
The Planning Board approved the site plan for the stations, which include an awning to give some weather protection and enhance the stations’ visibility.
“It’s innovative and I think it’s hopefully the beginning of some new environmentally sensitive and interesting projects before this board,” Planning Board member Estelle Miller Council said in approving the plan.
Price Chopper officials announced the larger project last month. It includes five alternative fuel pads, each offering three new, not yet commercially available General Electric WattStation charging station pedestals.
The Niskayuna store, at Mohawk Commons, will have the pilot set of three stations, with other Price Chopper stores around the region to get the others.
All five are being purchased under a cost-sharing agreement between NYSERDA and Price Chopper.
Price Chopper is hoping to eventually expand these stations throughout its stores in New York and then to stores in its entire six-state footprint, company officials have said.
Golub Corporation representative Joe Berman, an environmental certification specialist, repeated that to the board Monday night.
“It is also going to be the first iteration of what we hope will be a far larger, far more geographically broad electric vehicle charging station infrastructure” at the stores, he told the board.
The company has been actively pursuing these stations for about 18 months, ever since Price Chopper’s specialist in environmental sustainability and responsible corporate initiatives learned about them at a conference, officials have said.
The canopy over the stations will be similar to, but not exactly like, canopies at traditional gas stations, company representatives said afterward, providing what people expect for fueling stations.
With Monday night’s approval, company representatives said they hope to have the stations at the Niskayuna store by the end of August or early September.
The ShopRite location in Niskayuna already offers two charging stations. Those stations, without awnings, were put in when the store opened.
Categories: Uncategorized
