Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) has introduced a measure designed to streamline the application process for communities seeking to upgrade bus fleets with low and no emission vehicles.
Heinrich said the Low or No Emission Bus Access Act of 2020 improves both funding and the application method for state and local governments as a means of gaining greater access to the resources needed to modernize their bus fleets.
“When we support low or no emission vehicle projects, we provide communities with much-needed upgrades to their transportation infrastructure, promote cleaner air and help expand rider access,” Heinrich said. “Investing in cleaner transportation isn’t just about harnessing our innovative clean energy potential. It is also about meeting our moral imperative to reduce carbon pollution and mitigate the devastating and costly consequences of climate change.”
Key provisions of the bill, include clarification of existing low or no emission vehicle project eligibility under the Competitive Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program; clarification of timelines for solicitation of applications to, and awarding of grants from, the Competitive Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program; extending the bipartisan Low or No Emission Vehicle Program established by the FAST Act; and increasing the program’s authorization to $165 million per fiscal year for FY 2021-2025 to help lower oversubscription.
“This legislation makes the process clearer for applicants by clarifying the existing low or no emission vehicle project eligibility under the Competitive Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program and by clarifying timelines for solicitation of the applications and awarding of grants under the program,” said Joe Hardin, president of the New Mexico Transit Association (NMTA), and Anthony Mortillaro, NMTA Legislative Committee chair and executive director of the North Central Regional Transit District.