BRTB Accepting Applications to Fund Projects to Reduce On-Road Vehicle Emissions
BRTB Accepting Applications to Fund Projects to Reduce On-Road Vehicle Emissions
BALTIMORE (December 9, 2011) - The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) is now accepting applications for vehicle emission reduction projects and programs to be funded through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ). The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) authorized the BRTB to award up to $800,000 in CMAQ funding to eligible applicants to develop and implement transportation programs and projects that will reduce the vehicle emissions that contribute to air pollution in the Baltimore region. This is the fourth time that the BRTB will select projects for CMAQ funding.
Local jurisdictions in the Baltimore region and public-private partnerships with local jurisdictions are eligible to apply. CMAQ grants will cover up to 80 percent of the total cost for a local jurisdiction project, and up to 50 percent of the total cost for a public-private partnership project. All matches for grant amounts must be made in cash. All projects selected must be new or currently undergoing development.
Types of eligible projects include retrofits for school buses, transit buses and heavy duty diesel trucks, and clean fuel/hybrid transit buses and other vehicles. A complete program overview and an application packet are available at www.baltometro.org. Applications must be received by 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15, 2012. After a competitive review process, winning applicants will be notified in late April.
The CMAQ program, which is administered by the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration, assists state and local governments in attaining federal air quality standards established by the Clean Air Act and its amendments.
The Baltimore region does not meet federal standards for ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter. Transportation is a major contributor to ozone pollution, which can make breathing difficult for anyone, especially children and the elderly. Particulate pollution is even more serious, and has been implicated in heart as well as lung problems.
For more information about the CMAQ program, contact Sara Tomlinson at stomlinson@baltometro.org.
# # #
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council is an organization of the elected executives of Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties. The executives are committed to identifying regional interests and developing collaborative strategies, plans and programs which will improve the quality of life and economic vitality throughout the region.
Join our Press Release Mailing List!
To be notified whenever a Press Release is issued, please enter your e-mail address in the box above and you will be added to our mailing list.
Links within this web site:
News and Press Releases
Contact Communications Officer
Last Updated on Friday, 16 December 2011 11:21