MONMOUTH, Ore.—
Western Oregon University is expanding its commitment to a greener, more sustainable campus with the installation of new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on campus in Monmouth and at the Center for Graduate Studies in Salem. The project, made possible in part through Portland General Electric’s Drive Change Fund, funded through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Fuels Program, will provide convenient, accessible EV charging infrastructure for students, faculty, staff, and visitors at both locations.
In Monmouth, the new charging stations will be located in Parking Lot O, directly across from the Welcome Center on the north end of campus, which is a highly visible and accessible location for the entire community. In Salem, charging stations will be installed in Parking Lot V, located at 525 Trade Street SE, Salem.
The charging stations were funded in part by Portland General Electric’s Drive Change Fund, made possible by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Fuels Program. Oregon DEQ’s Clean Fuels Program requires fuel producers to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels sold in Oregon. Since 2019, PGE has used revenue from the Clean Fuels Program to provide more than $12 million in grants and infrastructure across Oregon to support electric vehicles and charging stations, with a strong emphasis on expanding access for underserved communities and educational institutions.
Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program, administered by the Oregon DEQ, requires fuel suppliers to reduce the carbon content of transportation fuels by 20 percent below 2015 levels by 2030, and 37 percent below 2015 levels by 2035. Revenue generated through the program is reinvested into projects like Western’s new charging stations, accelerating the state’s transition to clean transportation and supporting institutions that serve Oregon’s communities.
The new charging stations reflect the university’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable campus operations. As Oregon’s second most affordable public university and a growing regional economic engine generating $766.2 million in total annual economic impact for the state, Western continues to invest in the infrastructure and resources that serve its students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community for the long term.
Contact Parking Services at Western Oregon University for more information at 503-838-8267 or email parking@wou.edu.
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.