A story in the National Journal equates the U.S. Department of Transportation‘s Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction program with the popular Cash for Clunkers program. Nearly half of the $100 million awarded in TIGGER grants will be used to replace diesel vehicles with hybrids and all-electric models.
“They do improve emissions somewhat,” said Michael Sanders, transit administrator for ConnDOT’s Bureau of Public Transportation. But he suggested that the agency wouldn’t have invested in the pricier hybrids without the federal money. “They’re not dollar-for-dollar cost-effective in hard cash,” he added. “The difference is public relations, emissions reductions.”
Many of the grant recipients already had plans in place to upgrade to green technology, but the federal funds expedited the process. Link to full story in National Journal.
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