By Abbas Nazil
The Biden-Harris administration has taken a significant step in its commitment to combating climate change, announcing over $735 million in funding through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program.
The funds, targeting the replacement of more than 2,400 internal combustion engine heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission alternatives, aim to reduce air pollution, mitigate climate impacts, and advance environmental justice across the United States.
This program, a product of the Inflation Reduction Act, signifies a transformative shift toward sustainable transportation, blending environmental benefits with economic growth.
The grant program will impact 27 states, three tribal nations, and one U.S. territory, with 70 applicants tentatively selected to lead projects.
The program encompasses a broad spectrum of efforts, including deploying zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, building infrastructure to support clean transportation, and training workers to adapt to and deploy new technologies.
These initiatives are expected to bolster American leadership in clean technology, generate well-paying jobs, and enhance air quality in communities that have long borne the brunt of transportation-related pollution.
EPA administrator, Michael S. Regan, praised the initiative, emphasizing its role in addressing the health and environmental crises caused by heavy-duty vehicle emissions.
Regan noted that these efforts will “slash air pollution and enhance the country’s infrastructure for cleaner transportation solutions.”
The initiative aligns with President Biden’s broader agenda of tackling pollution across all sectors, as highlighted by Senior Advisor for International Climate Policy John Podesta, who remarked on the program’s dual benefits of economic development and community health improvement.
The White House National Climate Advisor, Ali Zaidi, underscored the administration’s comprehensive strategy to decarbonize transportation, which encompasses investments in zero-emission freight vehicles, clean school buses, and green port infrastructure.
These actions aim to deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits nationwide.
With over 3 million Class 6 and Class 7 vehicles currently in operation, many of which emit high levels of pollutants, the transition to cleaner alternatives is timely and urgent.
Nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter, and greenhouse gases emitted by older vehicles contribute to a host of health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and low-income communities, are disproportionately affected.
Cleaning up emissions from heavy-duty vehicles will improve the lives of approximately 72 million people living near truck freight routes.
The Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program targets older vehicles powered by internal combustion engines that predate current EPA emission standards.
The program’s focus extends to battery-electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell transit buses, and associated refueling infrastructure, including electric vehicle charging stations.
Additionally, funding supports workforce development and training, ensuring workers are equipped for the shift to a zero-emission transportation landscape.
School buses are a primary focus, with approximately 70% of the funds directed toward replacing diesel and propane buses with zero-emission electric units.
This investment complements the Clean School Bus program, which has already allocated nearly $3 billion for the deployment of almost 9,000 clean school buses.
Among the projects selected, Boston Public Schools will receive an estimated $35 million to replace 125 Class 7 school buses with zero-emission units, coupled with 125 fast-charging stations equipped with advanced load management capabilities.
This initiative will significantly reduce emissions, improve air quality, and lower transportation costs for the district.
Similarly, Saint Louis Public Schools will benefit from over $10 million to replace 30 heavy-duty diesel buses with zero-emission alternatives.
This project is expected to reduce emissions of harmful pollutants, enhance air quality for students and staff, and foster a public-private partnership for efficient project execution.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) stands out as one of the largest recipients, with $60 million allocated to replace 234 vocational vehicles with zero-emission alternatives.
The program will focus on battery-electric box trucks, step vans, and refuse haulers, with a limited pilot for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
The NCTCOG will also develop a regional workforce plan, host training for first responders, and establish essential infrastructure to support zero-emission vehicle deployment.
Smaller-scale projects are also included, such as the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s initiative to replace its laundry truck with an all-electric alternative.
The grant will ensure swift implementation, leveraging existing charging infrastructure to minimize downtime.
The grant program also integrates the principles of the Justice40 Initiative, which commits to delivering 40% of federal investment benefits to disadvantaged communities.
These communities, often burdened by underinvestment and high pollution levels, will see significant improvements in air quality and public health.
Approximately $523 million of the funding will directly support projects in areas that fail to meet EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulate matter and ozone.
Applicants prioritized community engagement, ensuring affected residents played a role in project design and implementation.
This collaborative approach guarantees that local needs and perspectives are incorporated, enhancing the program’s effectiveness and inclusivity.
The Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program also supports broader transportation decarbonization strategies outlined in the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy and the National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization.
These frameworks aim to create resilient, green infrastructure that supports sustainable freight and passenger transportation.
In addition to vehicle replacement, funding is allocated for zero-emission refueling infrastructure and workforce development initiatives.
These components are critical to building a sustainable ecosystem for clean transportation, from training mechanics to install and repair advanced charging systems to educating drivers on operating new zero-emission vehicles.
The program is expected to finalize awards by early 2025, with project implementation spanning two to three years depending on scope. These investments represent a pivotal step in the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to combat climate change while fostering economic growth and addressing environmental inequities.
By replacing aging diesel vehicles with state-of-the-art zero-emission alternatives, the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program exemplifies the administration’s commitment to sustainability, public health, and job creation.
As these projects unfold, they promise to transform America’s transportation sector into a cleaner, greener, and more equitable system for all. END
Source: United State Environmental Protection Agency Newsletter