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$100 Million in Obama Administration Economic Recovery Act Funds Charts New Course for Green Transportation; 43 Transit Projects Chosen to Reduce Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

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M2 PRESSWIRE-22 September 2009-US Department of Transportation: $100 Million in Obama Administration Economic Recovery Act Funds Charts New Course for Green Transportation; 43 Transit Projects Chosen to Reduce Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions(C)1994-2009 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

RDATE:21092009

The Obama Administration today announced $100 million in Economic Recovery Act funding for 43 transit agencies that are pursuing cutting-edge environmental technologies to help reduce global warming, lessen America's dependence on oil and create green jobs. Among the projects funded under the competitive bidding, Alabama will replace gasoline and diesel buses with electric hybrids, Massachusetts will construct wind energy generation turbines and Vancouver, Washington, will install solar panels at transit facilities.

'This is a sign of things to come,' said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who made the announcement in Atlanta, the site of the largest award. 'This shows how investing in green transportation not only helps the planet, but creates jobs and strengthens our economy. It also shows how much more we can do.'

The 43 winning proposals were submitted by transit agencies from across the country as part of a nationwide competition for $100 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds. Selection criteria included a project's ability to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and also to provide a return on the investment. Other criteria included readiness to implement, applicant capacity, degree of innovation and national applicability. The Federal Transit Administration reviewed more than $2 billion in applications for these funds.

'These grants will put Americans to work now while improving our environment in the future,' said FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff. 'The transit industry continues to be at the forefront of reducing pollution and creating a cleaner, safer environment for our nation.'

Transit agencies began submitting their proposals after the FTA announced rules for the Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) grant program as part of the Recovery Act last March.

Since President Obama signed ARRA into law on Feb. 17, 2009, grants totaling more than $7.2 billion have been made available for transit improvements throughout the nation.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is making $48.1 billion available for highway, transit, bridge, rail, shipyard and airport construction and repairs nationwide. Of that, $26.5 billion already has been obligated to fund more than 8,500 approved projects in 55 U.S. States and Territories.

The winning project proposals are as follows:

Alabama: Montgomery Area Transit System (Montomery), $2,675,000. Purchase of Five Hybrid Electric Buses: City of Montgomery-MATS proposes to purchase 30-35 foot low floor hybrid-electric buses in order...

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