The United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) has announced a policy update affecting the Low or No Emission Grant Program administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
Under the direction of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, the FTA will now allow grant recipients to request changes to their proposals, enabling a shift from zero-emission to low-emission technologies if desired.
The change follows feedback from transit agencies and public officials regarding the technical and financial challenges of implementing zero-emission transit solutions. According to the USDOT, the revised policy is intended to provide agencies with greater flexibility to choose technologies that align with their operational needs and budgets.
Secretary Duffy said:I’m proud to provide our transit operators the flexibility to use all sources of American Energy to power our transit infrastructure and focus on building safe and reliable buses for American commuters.
Grant recipients who wish to revise their projects from zero-emission to low-emission technology, or who want to seek reconsideration of previously denied requests, are encouraged to contact their FTA Regional Office.
Requests must be submitted in writing, outlining the proposed changes and the rationale for the adjustment. The FTA will review all submissions in accordance with its standard processes.
Marc Molinaro, Senior Advisor at the FTA said:The purpose of these grants is to help fund reliable mobility for Americans and meet public demand, not force ideology on American manufacturers and public transportation providers at the expense of the American people – they deserve transportation that works. FTA grant recipients asked for this flexibility and Secretary Duffy delivered.
The Low or No Emission Grant Program provides funding to help transit agencies purchase or lease low- and zero-emission buses and related infrastructure, supporting efforts to modernise fleets and reduce emissions over time.
