Press Releases

WILMINGTON, Del. – Today, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester and U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (all D-Del.) announced a $4,953,697 grant award from Federal Transit Administration in the U.S. Department of Transportation to Delaware Transit Corporation that will be used to build the infrastructure to power the Dover Transit Center. The Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities program provides federal funding for transit agencies to buy and rehabilitate buses and vans and build and modernize bus facilities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, championed by Sens. Carper, Coons and Rep. Blunt Rochester, provides nearly $2 billion through 2026 for the program.

Specifically, this funding will go toward a new solar array at the Dover Transit Center. Energy from the panels will be stored in batteries that will feed an overhead charging station allowing electric buses to charge while in service. This will result in a majority of the power used at the site coming from a renewable energy source, directly reducing emissions. User amenity updates include a new solar-powered bus shelter, increased bicycle parking and repair stations, and native pollinator plants. Educational signage promoting site sustainability features will also be installed.

“Today’s grant announcement for Delaware Transit Corporation is about strengthening our clean energy future,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester, member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “I am thrilled to have helped secure this federal funding to build out the infrastructure at Dover Transit Center so that we can reduce our carbon footprint, create good-paying clean energy jobs, and make the First State a healthier place to live and work.”

“In the Oath of Office we take as elected officials, we pledge to ‘respect the right of future generations to share the rich historic and natural heritage of Delaware.’ But, that natural heritage is under threat,” said Governor Carney. “By electrifying our fleet, we are reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. We set an aggressive target to reduce emissions last year with House Bill 99, and this investment will help us get to our target.”

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver for Delaware in a way that creates jobs and builds our clean energy future at the same time,” said Sen. Carper, chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee. “We must continue to look for every opportunity to deploy clean energy to power our cars, trucks and transit systems so that we can reduce emissions that pollute our air, and protect our planet for generations to come.”

“Delaware’s congressional delegation continues to deliver for Delaware so we can lead the way in modernizing our public infrastructure for a cleaner, greener country,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons. “This investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will improve air quality for Delawareans up and down the state while equipping our public transit to meet the needs of the future.”

Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski added, “We continue to make significant investments in our public transit fleet to reduce emissions and make our operation more environmentally friendly. Thanks to the congressional delegation, another important project will move forward that will benefit the community and help us meet the goals of the Delaware Climate Action Plan of transitioning to a more energy efficient transportation system.”

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