EPA Unveils $1.4 Billion for Climate Initiatives, Boosts Heat Pumps and Electric Buses in New England
October 5, 2024During an interview on Boston Public Radio, David Cash, the EPA's Region 1 administrator, announced significant funding for various climate initiatives.
Cash highlighted the environmental injustices faced by low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, which have historically experienced higher pollution levels.
The EPA has allocated $450 million to the New England Heat Pump Accelerator, aiming to replace fossil-fueled heating systems with heat pumps and reduce household carbon emissions by 36% to 64%.
Additionally, the Clean School Bus Rebate Program offers up to $965 million for school districts to transition from diesel buses to zero-emission, battery-electric buses.
At an event in Nashua, New Hampshire, Cash spoke with bus drivers and teachers who praised the quieter electric buses for enhancing communication and improving the classroom environment.
In a significant move for renewable energy, Massachusetts plans to purchase 2,678 megawatts from offshore wind projects, enough to power over a million homes.
Cash commended Massachusetts for its leadership in renewable energy, noting that wind energy provides price stability compared to fossil fuels.
He emphasized that this funding will spur technological innovation and create clean energy jobs in local communities.
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