In the US, funding has been approved by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for 46 innovative transit projects, chosen for their capacity to help cut the nation’s dependence on oil and create a marketplace for 21st century ‘green’ jobs. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) support has been made available through the Clean Fuels Grant Program and the Transit Investment in Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) III Program. Included are 10 natural gas fuel related projects, receiving more than USD 25.3 million funding collectively (listed below).
“These grants will put thousands of Americans back to work building sustainable, energy-efficient transit vehicles and facilities across the country,” said Secretary LaHood.
- Hillborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART): HART will design and build a new CNG fueling station to support the transition of its fixed route fleet to CNG power. HART will also upgrade its maintenance facility. $2,320,000
- Springfield Mass Transit District: The Springfield Mass Transit District will replace its aging CNG refueling facility, which will also allow for future expansion of its CNG fleet. $1,000,000
- Maryland Department of Transportation: Montgomery County, as a sub-recipient of the Maryland DOT, will replace buses that are beyond their useful lives with hybrid‐electric and compressed natural gas buses. In addition to fuel efficiency gains from this project, the operating service area will benefit from a reduction in transportation‐related pollutants. $3,066,286
- New Jersey Transit Corporation: New Jersey Transit will use funds to complete efficiency upgrades to its CNG fill station in Howell, New Jersey. $1,500,000
- Central Ohio Transit Authority (Columbus): COTA will renovate its McKinley Avenue CNG refuelling station, increasing its CNG capabilities and hastening the agency’s transition to CNG-fueled vehicles. $4,368,000
- Port Authority of Allegheny County (Pittsburgh): PAAC will use funds to leverage private investment to construct a natural gas fueling station at its West Mifflin depot. The overall project will include a fueling station, garage modification, and the incremental cost of CNG buses. The investment in CNG operations is a critical means of enhancing the environment and improving local means of enhancing the environment and quality of life, while decreasing PAAC’s operating costs and increasing overall economic efficiency. $3,070,000
- River Valey Transit (Greater Williamsport Area): Funds will be used to complete the construction of the CNG fueling facility and the purchase of four CNG transit vehicles. This project was selected because the operating service area meets the clean fuels program’s objectives. $3,500,000
- Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority: Funds will be used to purchase CNG buses to replace the agency’s diesel vehicles that have reached or exceeded their useful life. $2,000,000
- City of El Paso: The City of El Paso will replace gasoline‐fueled paratransit vehicles in its fleet that have met their useful lives with vehicles powered by natural gas. In addition to fuel efficiency gains from this project, the operating service area will benefit from a reduction in transportation related pollutants. $1,500,000
- VIA Metropolitan Transit (San Antonio): VIA will purchase compressed natural gas buses to replace buses. This project was selected because the operating service area meets the clean fuels program’s objectives. $3,000,000
(This article compiled using information from an FTA press release)
