At the end of June U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) set up a $101.4 million federal fund for transit providers. The competitive selection process will identify innovative project proposals that create ‘green’ jobs, promote the use of clean fuels and cut US dependence on oil. “This money supports President Obama’s plan to improve the environment and secure America’s energy future,” said Secretary Ray LaHood. Last year’s winning proposals, chosen from among 274 applications from across the U.S., included several natural gas fleet and infrastructure grants.
The money is being provided competitively through the Federal Transit Administration’s Fiscal Year 2011 Sustainability Initiative, which includes funding from two programs: $51.5 million from FTA’s Clean Fuels Grant Program and $49.9 million from FTA’s Transit Investment in Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) III Program.
Clean Fuels grant recipients will be chosen through a competitive selection process based on their ability to help communities achieve or maintain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone and carbon monoxide, while supporting emerging clean fuel and advanced propulsion technologies for transit buses.
TIGGER III grants, which will also use a competitive selection process, will be awarded based on a project’s ability to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and provide a return on the investment.
(This article compiled using information from a US Department of Transport press release)
