Mid Valley Reporter

U.S. House Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced that the Federal Transit Administration has awarded $6,586,104 to the Salem Area Mass Transit District (SAMTD) for the construction, expansion, and enhancement of zero-emission electric buses and related facilities.

“We’ve all experienced the dirty exhaust fumes of old diesel buses,” said Rep. Salinas. “The toxic air pollutants emitted by these vehicles are not only unpleasant, but unsafe as they’ve been scientifically shown to negatively impact human health. This $6 million award to Salem Area Mass Transit District will help improve air quality in communities around Salem and the transition to electric buses will substantially reduce greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Every zero-emission bus on our streets marks an exciting step forward in the fight to protect our planet.”

“Energy-efficient public transit systems are a huge step critical to economic growth and combatting climate change in Oregon,” said Senator Wyden, who authored historic clean energy provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, which could cut national carbon emissions by upwards of 40%. “These resources for the Salem Area Mass Transit District infrastructure to transition to zero-emission vehicles will be a game-changer for cleaner air and increased transit services in a fast-growing region.”

“As climate chaos intensifies, we must act boldly and quickly to transition to clean and renewable strategies,” said Senator Merkley. “Low- and no-emission buses mean better health for our communities and less pollution in the environment. This federal investment will turn regular transit updates into opportunities for safer air and combatting climate chaos.” 

“By replacing our oldest vehicles with zero-emission buses, this grant is a significant step toward enhanced service and modernization of our vehicle fleet,” said Ian Davidson, Board President of Cherriots. “With these funds, we will be able to double down on the transition of our fleet to zero emission vehicles by 2040. I would like to thank Senator Wyden, Senator Merkley, and Congresswoman Salinas for their support in securing the funding to make this project a reality.”

According to the Department of Transportation, every zero-emission bus eliminates 1,690 tons of CO2 over its 12-year lifespan. This is equivalent to taking 27 cars off the road. To learn more about the grant to this project and others across the country, click here.

Original source can be found here.