Colorado is taking another step toward cleaner transportation.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted $735,000 to the Colorado Department of Corrections.
This funding supports the replacement of old, polluting vehicles with all-electric alternatives, contributing to healthier air for communities across the state.
Colorado’s Push for Cleaner Transportation
The Colorado Department of Corrections will use the grant to purchase three zero-emission heavy-duty trucks and a Level 3 charger.
These vehicles will replace five older trucks, averaging 26 years of use, that will be decommissioned and salvaged.
This transition is part of the EPA’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program, aimed at reducing pollution from aging internal combustion vehicles.
This program, launched under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, helps communities transition to cleaner vehicles and technology.
By replacing outdated trucks, the Department of Corrections not only reduces emissions but also sets a precedent for greener transportation in state services.
Benefits for Communities and the Environment
Switching to zero-emission vehicles will cut harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides and greenhouse gases.
These pollutants contribute to health problems such as respiratory and heart diseases, which disproportionately affect children, older adults, and economically disadvantaged communities.
Communities near truck routes will see the most immediate benefits from cleaner air.
By focusing on areas burdened by pollution, this program helps create a healthier living environment while supporting broader environmental goals.
National Clean Vehicle Efforts Expand
The EPA’s grant program is part of a nationwide effort to promote zero-emission transportation.
Over $739 million has been awarded to fund more than 2,000 zero-emission vehicles across the U.S.
This funding includes support for battery-electric trucks, school buses, and vocational vehicles.
In addition to vehicle purchases, the program invests in building infrastructure like charging stations and provides workforce training.
These efforts align with the Biden-Harris Administration’s goals of reducing transportation emissions and expanding clean energy technologies.
