U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was in St. Cloud, MN, today to announce that the city will receive $3.3 million to help the St. Cloud Metropolitan Transit Commission renovate its Metro Bus Operations Center so the facility can accommodate a fleet of transit vehicles fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG), as well as to build a CNG fueling station. Secretary LaHood was joined by Senator Amy Klobuchar, Mayor Dave Kleis and other local officials.
The project is one of 27 projects across the country selected to receive $59.3 million in funds through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) FY 2012 Clean Fuels Grant Program. This program is aimed at purchasing cleaner, greener buses that reduce harmful emissions and improve fuel economy while also delivering a more comfortable, reliable ride for passengers.
“In Minnesota and across the country, President Obama is committed to investing in sustainable transportation systems that improve access to jobs, education and medical care for millions of riders, while bringing cleaner air to our communities and reducing our dependence on oil,” said Secretary LaHood. “These projects will also help transit agencies operate more efficiently, so they save money in the long run.”