By Ricardo Roura
Dec 15, 2024, 10:36 PM EST
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allocated $132.2 million to 12 California beneficiaries for the combined purchase of 455 zero-emission vehicles, Senator Alex Padilla announced this Friday.
In a press release, Senator Padilla reported that the funds come from the Inflation Reduction Law as part of the new EPA Clean Heavy Duty Vehicle Grant Program.
“Reduce pollution from heavy vehicles and school buses It is essential to protect the public health of Californians and combat the climate crisis“said Senator Padilla in his statement.
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“This important Inflation Reduction Act investment will replace diesel-powered vehicles and fossil fuel-powered school buses. with zero emissions alternativeswhich will generate cleaner air and create good-paying jobs for the communities most affected by pollution throughout our state,” he added.
Some of the beneficiaries of federal funds awarded by EPA are:
- Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD): The $20.37 million investment to the Division of Transportation will help replace 50 fossil fuel-powered school buses with zero-emission electric models, with the installation of supporting electric charging infrastructure.
- South Coast Air Quality Management District: $58.74 million to replace up to 74 fossil fuel-powered school buses with zero-emission units.
- Oakland Unified School District: The investment of $15.18 million dollars will be used to replace 60 school buses that run on fossil fuels with zero-emission models.
- City of Oakland Port Department: A $10.5 million investment will help replace 60 UPS delivery trucks with zero-emission electric models and install backup charging at fulfillment centers in Oakland, San Francisco and Richmond.
- San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District: Funds of $8.93 million will go toward replacing 26 fossil fuel-powered Class 6 and 7 highway trucks in the Valley with zero-emission electric models.
To know the Complete list of California projects who benefit from EPA funds can consult this link.
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Over the next few weeks, EPA will work with selected applicants to finalize awards, to finish the procedures at the beginning of 2025.
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