AASHTO Journal - New Jersey to Invest $100M in ‘Clean’ Transportation Projects

Governor Phil Murphy (D) (seen above) noted in a statement on February 16 that New Jersey aims to invest more than $100 million in “clean, equitable transportation projects” that will improve air quality and reduce the effects of climate change.

[Above photo by the New Jersey Governor’s Office.]

Leveraging proceeds from New Jersey’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust Funds, the governor said that funding would support a variety of electrification programs, equitable mobility projects, and electric charging infrastructure installation in communities across the state.

Gov. Murphy. Photo by the New Jersey Governor’s Office.

That is all part of moving New Jersey towards reliance on “100 percent clean energy” by 2050, he said.

Projects covered by that funding include:

$9 million in grants for local government electrification projects that will help to improve air quality in environmental justice communities through the deployment of electric garbage and delivery trucks.
$13 million in grants for low- and moderate-income communities to reduce emissions via the deployment of electric school buses and shuttle buses.
$5 million in grants for equitable mobility projects that will bring electric vehicle ride hailing and charging stations to four New Jersey towns and cities.
$5 million in grants for deployment of fast charging EV infrastructure at 27 locations statewide.
$36 million to reduce diesel and carbon emissions by electrifying port, cargo handling, and other medium- and heavy-duty equipment in port and industrial areas.
$15 million towards NJ TRANSIT bus electrification.
$15 million towards flex funding to further deploy additional funding to the listed initiatives.

“Climate change is the single greatest long-term threat currently facing humanity, and our state and economy are uniquely vulnerable to its devastating effects,” said Governor Murphy in a statement. “The investments we are announcing today signify our commitment to environmental justice and equity, while building a cleaner economy that works for all.”

The governor noted that the newly created Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy, coupled with the New Jersey Council on the Green Economy, would focus on the “interlocking priorities” of addressing climate change, ensuring New Jersey’s clean energy future, and transitioning to a green economy while prioritizing equity and environmental justice.