Electric grants for ports

One such grant of US$5.15 million is going to the Philadelphia Port Authority to buy electrical charging terminals for buses that are part of its rapid transport project.

“Public transit connects people to jobs, services, and loved ones – and when our transit buses produce low or zero emissions, it’s an even bigger win for communities,” Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Transportation Secretary said in a news release.

Grants nationwide

The overall goal of Philadelphia’s Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system, which is under final review by the Federal Transit Administration, is to put buses on a more predictable schedule.

BRT will use exclusive bus lanes to connect Downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland to the port avoiding congestion, speeding up transit times and lowering emissions locally.

“There is overwhelming demand to support low and no emission transit all around the country and meeting this need is a matter of climate responsibility and public health,” Mr Buttigieg said.

The local funding was among US$182 million in grants the department awarded through its Low-or No-Emission program.

The program is part of the Biden administration’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.

On a national scale, the US Department of Transport (DOT) has awarded 49 grants to projects in 46 states and territories.