TALLAHASSEE -- The federal government is directing nearly $42 million to Florida as part of a $1.66 billion effort to increase the number of "clean" buses on America's roads.
The grants will go to the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Lee County and state for low- and zero-emission buses, equipment and worker training, the U.S. Department of Transportation said
"As we modernize our transportation systems to help all of America get where they need to go, not only must we make them safer and less expensive, but we will also seek to use them to reduce emissions," he said Mitch Landrieu. , a White House adviser overseeing the implementation of a massive infrastructure bill passed in November.
Landrieu said in a conference call with reporters Monday that the silver was "another critical step toward the president's goal of making America net-zero by 2050."
The money will go to 150 bus fleets and facilities across the country. There are plans in part to bring an additional 1,100 zero-emission buses to 48 states and territories; around 1,300 are currently on the road.
Much of the money earmarked for Florida will benefit the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority's LYNX system, which serves 90,000 daily passengers in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Polk and Volusia counties.
The agency will receive $16.1 million, in part toward the purchase of up to 20 battery-electric buses. According to official documents, LYNX is working to make half of its fixed-route fleet zero-emissions by 2028.
LYNX will also be able to replace up to 10 diesel buses with compressed natural gas vehicles thanks to a $6.5 million grant received on its behalf from the Florida Department of Transportation.
In a joint press release with fellow US House Democrats Val Demings and Darren Soto, US Rep. Stephanie Murphy of D-Florida said central Florida is one of the fastest growing areas in the country and one of the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
"These funds will help reduce our carbon footprint while providing world-class infrastructure that will help spur long-term economic growth," Murphy said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville will get $15.4 million for up to 21 compressed natural gas buses and charging equipment to be used on six battery-electric buses, to replace older diesel buses. In addition, Lee County will receive $3.86 million to purchase up to three battery electric buses.
In all, the federal government received 530 applications requesting more than $7 billion.
In an appearance Sunday in Arizona, Gov. Ron DeSantis accused President Joe Biden of "waging a war on American energy."
"According to him, he doesn't want a robust oil and gas sector here," DeSantis said. "But he is willing to beg the Saudis or Venezuela. I guess our oil contributes to global warming but yours doesn't. I mean give me a break."
In 2020, the Florida legislature directed the State Department of Transportation to develop a plan to encourage the expansion of electric vehicle charging stations along the highway network.
The state then committed $8.6 million to add 34 fast-charging stations along Interstate 95, Interstate 4, Interstate 75, Interstate 275 and Interstate 295 as part of the money Florida received as part of a settlement between Volkswagen and the US Department of Justice for emissions violations. .
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