EPA announces $8.4M for clean heavy-duty vehicles in Washington

EPA announces $8.4M for clean heavy-duty vehicles in Washington

Funding for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, along with infrastructure and workforce development projects, to tackle climate change, reduce air pollution, and advance environmental justice

December 11, 2024

SEATTLE - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the Washington Department of Ecology, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and Woodland Public Schools have been selected to receive a total of $8,396,706 in funding to assist in the purchase of 28 zero-emission vehicles through its first-ever Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program.

"Thanks to President Biden, we are accelerating American leadership in developing clean technologies that address the impacts of climate change," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Together, the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant projects announced today will slash air pollution and enhance the country's infrastructure for cleaner transportation solutions, creating good-paying jobs along the way." 

"Replacing heavy duty diesel vehicles like school buses, garbage trucks, and more with green alternatives is a simple, smart way we can improve air quality for our kids and communities, while bringing down long term costs," said Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). "I'm pleased to see these funds I fought for making their way back to Washington state, where they will support new jobs, help reduce emissions, and make sure our communities have top-notch vehicles doing important public work. As a leader on the Appropriations Committee, I am going to keep working to build on these crucial investments."

The Washington Department of Ecology has been selected to receive an anticipated $3,887,706 to replace 13 diesel school buses with electric school buses. These buses are owned by four school districts, all of which experience high exposures to diesel pollution. Funding provided by EPA will be stacked on state grant funds appropriated to Ecology's school bus program.

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation has been selected to receive an anticipated $260,000 to replace one Class 6 diesel refuse hauler with an electric one.

Woodland Public Schools has been selected to receive an anticipated $4,249,000 to replace 14 diesel buses with zero emission buses to reduce the district's emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and greenhouse gases. The district plans to leverage a public private partnership with Highland Electric Fleets to ensure cost-effective use of EPA funding and successful implementation of the project.

EPA's Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant program, created by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, will replace existing internal combustion engine heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission vehicles, while also supporting the build out of clean vehicle infrastructure, as well as the training of workers to deploy these new zero-emission technologies.

Across the nation, over 3 million Class 6 and Class 7 vehicles are currently in use, spanning a wide variety of vehicle types and vocations. Many of these are older vehicles that emit higher levels of harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter, and greenhouse gases than newer vehicles. This pollution is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular disease, among other serious health problems. Children, older adults, those with preexisting cardiopulmonary disease, and those of lower socioeconomic status are particularly vulnerable to these health impacts. Cleaning up pollution from heavy-duty vehicles helps protect the health of 72 million people living near truck freight routes in America.

EPA's Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program will accelerate the adoption and deployment of eligible Class 6 and 7 zero-emission vehicles. Vehicles eligible for replacement include older vehicles powered by internal combustion engines that pre-date recent EPA emission standards.

Roughly 70% of the funding awarded today will support the purchase of clean school buses, helping provide clean air for children on their ride to school. These awards complement EPA's Clean School Bus program through the President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has awarded nearly $3 billion for nearly 9,000 clean school buses to date.

The Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program advances President Biden's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

EPA prioritized disadvantaged communities facing air quality challenges, including nonattainment with EPA's fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) or high levels of ambient diesel PM. Applications were evaluated on engagement with affected communities, especially local residents, to ensure their meaningful participation with respect to the design, planning, and performance of the project. Approximately $523 million of the funds announced today will be used to fund projects serving communities located in areas in nonattainment with the NAAQS.

In addition to the funding for the replacement of existing internal combustion engine Class 6 and 7 heavy-duty vehicles with eligible Class 6 and 7 zero-emission vehicles, funding may also be used to support zero-emission vehicle adoption and deployment by providing:

• Zero-emission vehicle refueling infrastructure.

• Workforce development and training.

• Project implementation costs.

EPA will work with selected applicants over the coming weeks to finalize awards. EPA currently anticipates finalizing awards in early calendar year 2025 once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. Project implementation will occur over the next two to three years depending on the scope of each project.

Visit the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program webpage for additional information and updates as EPA works with tentatively selected applicants to finalize awards and implement their projects.

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