Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The Delaware Department of Transportation is set to benefit from a $248 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, as announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This grant is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda and aims to tackle climate change, improve air quality, and advance environmental justice.
The Clean Corridor Coalition application, led by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, includes partnerships with the Delaware Department of Transportation, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Maryland Department of Environment, and Maryland Department of Transportation. The funding will be used to deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure for commercial zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles along the I-95 Corridor. Additionally, it will provide technical assistance for workforce development and corridor planning across New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, and Maryland.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan stated: “President Biden believes in the power of community-driven solutions to fight climate change, protect public health, and grow our economy. Thanks to his leadership, the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program will deliver unprecedented resources to states, local governments, and Tribes to fund the solutions that work best in their communities.”
EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz emphasized the importance of investments like this: "Investments such as this are paramount to ensuring communities across the region who are impacted the most have access to reduced climate and air pollution."
U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) highlighted the significance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions through this funding: “This funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to build out our EV charging infrastructure will go a long way toward driving down tailpipe emissions and improving air quality in Delaware and across the region.”
U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) commended Delaware's role in green infrastructure investment: “The Delaware Department of Transportation is taking a leading role in investing in green infrastructure through the Clean Corridor Coalition Project.”
U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) noted how impactful these grants have been for Delaware: “The Inflation Reduction Act represents the greatest climate action in our nation’s history... This award for the Delaware Department of Transportation represents a major investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure.”
EPA made its selections through a competitive process reviewing nearly 300 applications requesting almost $33 billion in funding. The 25 selected applications will receive federal funding to implement local and regional solutions aimed at significant greenhouse gas reductions by 2030.
The EPA expects further announcements regarding additional funding under this program later this summer.
