Newark, Del. (October 10, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of Delaware took a significant step towards a cleaner transportation future today, celebrating Delawares receipt of $14.3 million thanks to EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program.
This grant, the result of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, will be used to build medium and heavy-duty charging infrastructure along the I-95 corridor, in line with the Clean Corridor Coalition’s regional efforts.
The celebration, held at the I-95 Biden Welcome Center, brought together key leaders including Senator Tom Carper, Delaware’s Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski, Joseph Goffman, Assistant Administrator for the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, Adam Ortiz, EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator, Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Deputy Secretary Samantha Biddle, and several local elected officials. In collaboration with neighboring states, Delaware will help deploy zero-emission vehicle infrastructure to reduce pollution along one of the nation’s most critical corridors.
“Air pollution is bad for our health, bad for our economy, and bad for our planet,” said U.S Senator Tom Carper, Chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee. “Unfortunately, the transportation sector is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the nation. Last Congress, we made historic investments to reduce harmful climate pollution and clean up the air we breathe through the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and today’s announcement will help us drive down tailpipe emissions and improve air quality in Delaware and across the region.”
“Investments made through the CPRG program, across the country, here in Delaware, and along I-95, will have a transformative impact in both our communities and our nation’s collective fight against climate change,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Joseph Goffman.
“This investment is a critical down payment for zero-emission freight movement in participating states,” said Adam Ortiz, EPA Regional Administrator for the Mid-Atlantic Region. “The Clean Corridor Coalition project plans to support the construction of 20 freight truck electric charging sites, including nearly 150 charging ports for overnight use, and over 300 fast or ultra-fast charging ports to advance electrification of a national priority freight corridor. The project also aims to enhance workforce development through a program to train 400 individuals from low income and disadvantaged communities in the construction, operation, and maintenance of this new clean infrastructure.”
“This grant is a huge step forward for Delaware. By adding charging stations along I-95, we’re helping reduce pollution and better the air quality, while also supporting the freight industry, two things we all rely on!” shared Delaware Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski. “We are excited to work with our neighboring states and look forward to seeing the benefits of this project.”
Under the CPRG program, the Clean Corridor Coalition – a quarter billion-dollar project which includes Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware – is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from gasoline and diesel fuel by deploying electric vehicle charging infrastructure for commercial zero-emission medium-and heavy-duty vehicles traveling along the Interstate-95 freight corridor and adjacent roadways from Connecticut to Maryland. Today’s celebration is focused on Delaware’s contribution to the project.
The four-state coalition will collaborate to provide technical assistance in developing charging sites and provide training and support services to establish a skilled workforce, conduct meaningful community engagement, and enable planning by states and stakeholders along the corridor.
Authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program will provide nearly $5 billion in grants for states, local governments, Tribes, and territories to develop and implement ambitious plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution while benefitting low-income and disadvantaged communities. For more information, please visit Climate Pollution Reduction Grants.