USU Grad Student Aids Electric Vehicle Website for Governor's Office

One trip on I-15 along Utah’s Wasatch Front is proof enough the Beehive State’s population, accompanying energy needs and air quality concerns are growing. The Utah Office of Energy Development, created in response to Gov. Gary Herbert’s 10-Year Strategic Energy Plan, is working toward advancing all forms of responsible energy development in the state. Utah State University graduate student Blake Thomas is among the office’s energy team and helped to create the state’s new Utah Drives Electric website.

“In the face of Utah’s air quality struggles, OED has made a priority of promoting solutions that can provide positive air quality results and allow for efficient utilization of Utah’s diverse energy portfolio,” says Thomas, a master’s student in Human Dimensions of Ecosystem Science and Management.

Among those solutions, he says, is deployment of alternative fuel vehicles and associated infrastructure.

With colleagues, Thomas, who joined OED as alternative transportation program specialist in September, created the new website to serve as a “one-stop shop” for information about electric vehicles. The site includes an interactive charging station map, facts and figures about benefits of the technology, a buyers’ guide with information on Utah-available electric vehicles and a savings calculator that provides information on fuel cost savings, emissions reduction and post-incentive vehicle cost.

“The savings calculator is synced to Utah’s current gas and electricity prices,” says Thomas, who earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, with a minor in sustainable systems, from USU in 2012.

The calculator tool’s vehicle options are all electric vehicles available for sale in Utah, he says. This offers a “uniquely tailored” opportunity for Utahns to compare electric vehicle cost savings and emission reductions against their current gas-powered vehicles.

“Our comprehensive goal is to promote the shift to a more diverse transportation system, one that includes electric vehicles, natural gas vehicles, alternative liquid fuels and even public transit and pedestrian infrastructure,” says OED executive director Laura Nelson.

USU Parking and Transportation Services, in partnership with the Quinney College of Natural Resources, recently installed two electric vehicle charging stations near the Natural Resources building. The City of Logan opened a charging station at 45 North Main Street.

“The new website is a great resource,” says Roslynn Brain, assistant professor in USU’s Department of Environment and Society, Sustainable Community Extension specialist and Thomas’ faculty mentor.

Brain praises Thomas’ efforts over the course of his graduate studies.

“His development has been incredibly impressive,” she says. “He has already successfully published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at national conferences and his thesis is addressing alternative energy programming needs in Extension – an extremely timely and important topic. His new position with OED will inevitably bring positive change to our state.”

USU Department of Environment and Society

USU Quinney College of Natural Resources

Utah Office of Energy Development

Contact: Blake Thomas, 801-300-0510, blakethomas@utah.gov

Writer: Mary-Ann Muffoletto, 435-797-3517, maryann.muffoletto@usu.edu