BRTB Accepting Applications to Fund Projects to Reduce Emissions

Baltimore Regional Transportation Board Accepting Applications to Fund Projects to Reduce On-Road Vehicle Emissions

BALTIMORE (January 3, 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 third 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 application are available at www.baltometro.org. Applications must be received by 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22nd. After a competitive review process, winning applicants will be notified in early May of 2011.

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 410-732-0500 x1035 or stomlinson@baltometro.org.

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Last Updated on Thursday, 06 January 2011 13:53