Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME). announced federal funding made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace diesel buses with battery electric buses in southern Maine. Awarded through the US Department of Transportation’s Low-and-No-Emission Vehicle Program, the Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach (BSOOB) Transit Committee will receive $2,047.407 to buy two battery electric buses to replace diesel buses. This wil provide safe and reliable transportation for transit-reliant residents and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 4.8 million pounds over the buses’ 12-year life cycle.
This funding is among $1.66 billion in grants to transit agencies, territories and states across the country to invest in bus fleets and facilities. Funded by President Biden’s bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the majority of funded projects will use zero-emissions technology, which reduces our pollution and helps meet the President’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. In May, BSOOB Transit Committee and Greater Portland Metro each put two new electric buses in service through $2.29 million in Low-No-Emissions Grant Program, funding, marking the first set of electric transit buses in Maine since the early 2000s.
“With 54% of Maine’s greenhouse gas emissions coming from the transportation section, electric buses are a key way to reduce pollution in our communities and transition to a clear energy economy. Now, thanks to this historic and transformational law championed by President Biden, our local transit authorities are replacing outdated, diesel buses with electruc buses,” said Pingree in a press release issued today. “Elecric buses are energy efficient, powered by zero-emission technology and most importantly, safe and reliable. I was thrilled to help make this funding possible and look forward to seeing the electric revolution take off in our great state.”