Montgomery County is set to receive a boost in its sustainability efforts courtesy of a hefty $1.5 million grant from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). This financial injection is aimed at helping the County's Department of Transportation switch to zero-emission vehicles. According to the MEA's new Medium-duty and Heavy-duty Zero Emission Vehicle Program, the grant is designated for acquiring electric vehicles and an electric loader to support historically underserved communities.
The two grants, one for $1,440,000 and another for $60,000 are designed to replace gas and diesel vehicles in the county's fleet with cleaner alternatives. Montgomery County plans to use the money to quickly purchase one electric loader and nine electric cars, including four transit buses and a combination of short-haul and long-haul trucks. These new additions are expected to reduce emissions and directly benefit areas hit hardest by pollution.
In a statement heralded by county officials, County Executive Marc Elrich described the funding as a boon for the local transportation infrastructure and a significant contribution towards the county’s climate action goals. "This funding will allow us to enhance our transportation infrastructure, reduce fuel expenses and contribute to the County’s ambitious climate action goals," Elrich said, per Montgomery County's press release.
On an environmentally significant note, the switch to electrically powered vehicles is estimated to cut the use of over 750,000 gallons of diesel fuel across the vehicles’ lifespans. It's also anticipated to decrease greenhouse gases by around 400 tons. "This grant award from the Maryland Energy Administration is a significant step forward in DGS’ mission to efforts to provide innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability in Montgomery County," David Dise, DGS Director, stated as per Montgomery County news release about the positive impact expected from these funds.
