The Obama Administration announced $100 million in Economic Recovery Act funding for 43 transit agencies that are pursuing cutting-edge environmental technologies to help reduce global warming, lessen America's dependence on oil and create green jobs.
"This is a sign of things to come," says U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who made the announcement in Atlanta, the site of the largest award. "This shows how investing in green transportation not only helps the planet, but creates jobs and strengthens our economy. It also shows how much more we can do."
The 43 winning proposals were submitted by transit agencies from across the country as part of a nationwide competition for $100 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ( ARRA ) funds. Selection criteria included a project's ability to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and also to provide a return on the investment. Other criteria included readiness to implement, applicant capacity, degree of innovation and national applicability. The Federal Transit Administration reviewed more than $2 billion in applications for these funds.
"These grants will put Americans to work now while improving our environment in the future," said FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff. "The transit industry continues to be at the forefront of reducing pollution and creating a cleaner, safer environment for our nation."
Some $7.2 billion have been dispensed by federal grants since President Obama signed ARRA into law on in Feb.
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) won a $522,000 grant. The funds will be used to replace Halon 1301 The MTA currently has approximately 5 metric tons of Halon 1301 ( CBrF3 ) deployed at 24 MTA facilities in and surrounding Baltimore City. Each metric ton of Halon 1301 released to the atmosphere - intentionally or inadvertently - is equivalent to releasing 6,900 metric tons of carbon dioxide. The scope of this project includes destruction of MTA's inventory of Halon 1301 and replacement with another clean agent.
Source: Ray Lahood, DoT
Writer: Walaika Haskins