FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

INVEST in America Proposal Includes Key Provisions from CTE to Fund Zero-Emission Bus Transportation and EV Infrastructure Projects

Atlanta, GA, June 2020: The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) commends the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for introducing the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act (INVEST in America) early Wednesday, June 3rd. The INVEST in America Act provides long-term funding for transportation infrastructure projects that create jobs, boost economic competitiveness, and support community mobility.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. 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 we thank 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:

• 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

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.For a PDF of this press release, click here.

ABOUT CTE

The Center for Transportation and the Environment is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to improve the health of our climate and communities by bringing people together to develop and commercialize clean, efficient, and sustainable transportation technologies.CTE collaborates with federal, state, and local governments, fleets, and vehicle technology manufacturers to complete our mission.