A total of 17 charging stations installed in St. Tammany Parish through the Adopt a Charger initiative
Through their partnership with the non-profit, Adopt a Charger, Cleco and the Northshore Community Foundation installed six new EV charging stations in Slidell, bringing the total to 17 Level 2 EV charging stations in St. Tammany Parish.
The charging stations are located at three city parks – John Slidell Park, Fritchie Park and Heritage Park. Each park is equipped with two Level 2 charging stations. The stations use 240 volts of electricity, similar to household appliances like ovens, and provide approximately 25 miles of range per hour of charging.
“This is another investment in the communities we serve and aligns with our vision to support cleaner, all-electric technologies,” said Richard Biedenharn, Electric Vehicle Program Manager. “Our commitment to install up to 30 charging stations in high-traffic areas across St. Tammany Parish will expand Louisiana’s EV infrastructure and make it easier for EV owners to charge their vehicles.”
Adopt a Charger, established in 2011, works to accelerate the purchase of EVs by facilitating the installation of free public charging stations at popular locations, from parks to museums. Program representatives secure sponsors, like Cleco and the Northshore Community Foundation to cover installation costs; then they identify sites and recruit site owners to host charging stations. Charging is free for the first three years.
“This project would not be possible without grant funds from Cleco Power and its partnership with the Northshore Community Foundation. Thanks to their support, we will be investing a total of $250,000 in the Northshore region,” said Kitty Adams, executive director for Adopt a Charger. “When people see an EV, they don’t automatically know it runs on electricity. The ‘aha’ moment happens when they see it plugged into a charging station. From there, they can talk to EV owners about their experience, which will help increase EV adoption.”
“These charging stations are part of our ongoing commitment to work side-by-side with people, companies and partners who share our mission to build healthy, safe and thriving communities,” said Leslie Landry, president and CEO of the Northshore Community Foundation.
In addition to the new Slidell locations, six charging stations have been installed at Pelican Park in Mandeville, two at the Maritime Museum in Madisonville and three across from the historic pavilion in Abita Springs.
“Through initiatives like Adopt a Charger, we hope to raise awareness about the benefits of electrification and encourage more residents and visitors to consider sustainable transportation options,” said Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert. “Investing in EV charging not only supports economic growth but also contributes to a cleaner, greener community for generations to come.”
“Adding these charging stations at popular local spots near three major interstates, I-10, I-12 and I-59, will attract more visitors and boost tourism,” said Donna O’Daniels, president and CEO of Visit The Northshore.
Cleco Corporate Holdings LLC is a regional energy holding company that conducts its business operations through Cleco Power LLC, a regulated electric utility company that owns eight generating units with a rated capacity of 2,676 MWs and serves approximately 295,000 customers in Louisiana through its retail business and supplies wholesale power in Louisiana. For more information about Cleco, visit www.cleco.com.
