Oregon has received a $10 million dollar grant to repair broken or malfunctioning electric vehicle charging stations across the state.

Matt Noble, Oregon Department of Transportation spokesperson, said broken charging stations have made electric vehicles impractical for many Oregonians.

“Maybe five, 10 years ago, EV drivers were having more of a range anxiety. It was: ‘Can my EV reach a charging station?’” he said. “That’s really shifted in the last couple of years to ‘I’m confident my EV can get me there, but when I get there will the charging station actually be working?’”

Noble said the goal is to create an accessible, reliable network of stations.

“The more EVs we can get on our roads, that will reduce emissions from transportation, and that’s one of the best ways to address climate change, “he said.

Noble said the federal government has identified around 135 eligible charging stations around the state. The companies that own those stations will need to come up with 20% matching funds to be eligible for the program.

According to ODOT, there are about 2,900 EV charging ports available for public use in Oregon total and about 80,000 registered electric vehicles in the state as of September.

Noble said the state is still developing a timeline to roll out the repair program.

U.S. rivalry with China expands to biotech

U.S. lawmakers are raising alarms about what they see as America’s failure to compete with China in biotechnology. They’re warning of risks to U.S. national security and commercial interests. But as the two countries’ rivalry expands into the biotech industry, some say that shutting out Chinese companies would only hurt the United States.

Biotechnology promises to revolutionize everyday life, with scientists and researchers using it to make rapid advances in medical treatment, genetic engineering in agriculture and novel biomaterials. Because of its potential, it has caught the attention of both the Chinese and U.S. governments.

Former Bank of China chairman indicted

The former chairman of the Bank of China has been indicted on bribery charges, adding to a long list of business and government officials who have been brought down by Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s yearslong anti-corruption drive.

Prosecutors said Monday that Liu Liange has been accused of taking advantage of his positions at the Bank of China and previously as president of the Export-Import Bank of China.

The official Xinhua News Agency said he was charged with helping others with loans and personnel appointments in return for property and cash and with making loans in violation of regulations, causing significant losses.