USA, CTE praises at the introduction of zero emission bus support proposal INVEST

The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has introduced the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act (INVEST in America). It provides long-term funding for transportation infrastructure projects.

The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), that has advocated for this legislation, praise at the decision.

A few days ago the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a massive funding through the Low- or No-Emission (Low-No) Grant program.

INVEST in America, it’s time for Zero Emission Bus Program

The bill raises the performance bar on the Low-or-No (Low-No) Emission Vehicle grant program, rebranding it as the Zero Emission Bus Program, CTE points out. The program will continue to provide funding to state and local transit authorities for the purchase of zero-emission buses as well as the acquisition, construction, and leasing of supporting fueling and maintenance infrastructure.

CTE was a critical voice in creation of the Low-No program in 2015 and now thanks Chairman DeFazio and the committee for making visionary strides with the 2020 program proposal.

The 2020 Zero Emission Bus Program proposal includes three key provisions CTE was a leading advocate for. Followingly, the three points as reported by CTE:

• • Increased funding to $1.7 billion for FY22 through FY25, an average annual increase of 500 percent over FAST Act funding
  • Minimum procurement requirements of 10 buses for large agencies and five buses for smaller agencies
  • Requirement for agencies to complete fleet transition planning studies to ensure deployments are part of a larger plan for technology adoption

The bill provides for infrastructures fundings

In addition, the proposed bill provides $350 million per year for grants for electric vehicle charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure. The proposed Electric Vehicle and Charging Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure Grants program focuses on funding designated Alternative Fuel Corridors and projects that demonstrate the most effective emissions reductions.The bill also provides $250 million per year through Community Climate Innovation Grants to non-State applicants for highway, transit, and rail projects, provided these projects reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“CTE commends the committee and Chairman Peter DeFazio for introducing the INVEST in America Act legislation and being responsive to the needs of industry stakeholders invested in advanced zero-emission technologies. We are proud to not only provide technical support to transit agencies as they transition to zero-emission buses, but to provide a strong and independent voice on Capitol Hill to ensure operators have the necessary funding to support these efforts,” said Dan Raudebaugh, Executive Director of CTE.