Lofgren announces second round of federal funding for zero-emissions buses at Mineta Airport
— $5 Million in Grants Will Add 10 Electric Shuttles to Airport Fleet —
WASHINGTON, DC – (RealEstateRama) — Nearly $5 million in federal grants to purchase 10 zero-emission shuttles and associated electric charging infrastructure for Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport was awarded over the past two months, announced U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) today.
Two separate grants in the amounts of $1,662,498 and $3,194,980 were awarded in September and August 2017, respectively, by the U.S. Department of Transportation. These significant awards totaling nearly $5 million will support plans to purchase 10 all-electric buses to augment the airport’s current fleet of compressed natural gas buses. Mineta Airport is located in an Environmental Protection Agency-designated nonattainment area for ozone and particulate matter and maintenance area for carbon monoxide. By reducing the use of conventional fuels, this grant will improve local air quality.
“This additional federal investment in Mineta San Jose International Airport will improve passenger and employee health as well as help reduce local greenhouse gas emissions,” said Lofgren. “I applaud the Mineta Airport for undertaking this environmentally conscious and commonsense initiative that will help improve air quality in Silicon Valley.”
“I greatly appreciate Congresswoman Lofgren and her team for their unwavering support of and advocacy for Mineta San Jose International Airport throughout her decades in office,” said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. “Securing these significant grants allows SJC to add 10 electric, zero-emission buses to the Airport fleet to benefit travelers and employees alike, while also helping advance the City’s ambitious sustainability goals.”
Lofgren has been involved in steering significant federal funding to Mineta San Jose International Airport. Over the past year, Lofgren helped Mineta secure more than $21 million for infrastructure improvements and perimeter security upgrades. Last month, Lofgren led area Members of Congress in requesting additional Customs and Border Protection staffing at Mineta to support the airport’s rapid growth in international flight service.
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Contact: Peter Whippy (2022253072)