EPA is awarding grants to communities across the country under a new national transportation partnership program.
These grants, the first to be awarded under the Clean Air Transportation Communities program, are aimed at reducing emissions from transportation sources and enhancing energy efficiency in the transportation sector.
Approximately $1.27 million will be awarded to 10 state, local or tribal government agencies to address transportation, air quality and climate change issues.
The grants range in size from $59,275 to $250,000 and will be used for a variety of community programs that help reduce air emissions from vehicles and promote energy-efficiency.
The grant recipients will implement programs that encourage ride-sharing, reduce truck idling and promote the use of low-emissions vehicles.
Transportation contributes about one-third of the greenhouse gas emissions nationwide and is one of the single largest contributors of air pollution in the country.
Reducing emissions from vehicles, promoting energy conservation and adopting energy-efficient programs helps to improve communities'' air quality, according to EPA.
The recipients will work in partnership with organizations in the community to help ensure the success of the proposed projects.
Partnering organizations include utilities, transit providers, car sharing groups, private and not-for-profit organizations, manufacturers of vehicles using clean technologies and real estate developers.
by Virginia Foran