BELLINGHAM, WA – Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced the Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) has been awarded a $8,862,951 federal grant to replace eight aging diesel buses with eight electric buses and to purchase and install bus chargers.

“This is great news for Whatcom County,” said Larsen, a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “These critical resources enable WTA to continue to expand its electric bus fleet to reduce carbon emissions and maintenance costs while ensuring a reliable and sustainable transportation option for all.”

WTA Board Chair Michael Lilliquist celebrated the announcement and highlighted how the grant will help WTA significantly reduce carbon emissions and boost bus ridership.

“This much-needed funding fills a significant gap and could not have come at a better time,” said Lilliquist. “It will help turn WTA’s long-term plans for cleaner, less-polluting buses into a reality. We’ve already invested in the charging infrastructure, and have a ready power source, trained drivers, and skilled mechanics to handle the new technology. This grant removes the last major hurdle for success. WTA is grateful for the strong and continuous support of Congressman Larsen, and excited about the difference these buses will make for Whatcom County.”

The grant was made possible by the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Low or No Emission Vehicle Program which was authorized by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Larsen supported last year. The IIJA included a provision based on Larsen’s GREEN Buses Act that commits $2.34 billion for low- or no-emission bus grants for bus transit programs.

The Low or No Emission Vehicle Program awards funding to state and local governments for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, as well as for the acquisition, construction and leasing of required supporting facilities. In March, FTA announced approximately $1.1 billion available for Fiscal Year 2022 grants to help modernize bus fleets and bus facilities nationwide, including to help transit agencies purchase or lease low- or no- emission vehicles. In July, Larsen outlined his support for WTA’s grant application in a letter to Federal Transportation Administrator Nuria Fernandez.

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