Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $62 Million to North Central Texas Council of Governments and Dallas Independent School District for Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles as Part of Investing in America Agenda
DALLAS, TEXAS (January 8, 2025) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the North Central Texas Council of Governments and Dallas Independent School District have been selected to receive a combined total of $62,184,164 to assist in the purchase of 244 zero-emission vehicles through its first-ever Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program.
“Thanks to President Biden, we are accelerating American leadership in developing clean technologies that address the impacts of climate change,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Together, the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant projects announced today will slash air pollution and enhance the country’s infrastructure for cleaner transportation solutions, creating good-paying jobs along the way.”
“Because of federal funding being provided through Clean Heavy Duty Vehicle grants, air quality will improve in communities as we replace diesel-engine vehicles with cleaner alternatives,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “We are grateful to see the selectees share EPA’s concern regarding air pollution and believe in the importance of accelerating environmental justice initiatives in overburdened communities.”
“The Biden-Harris Administration has played a critical role in ensuring that the Dallas-Fort Worth area remains a leader in technology, innovation, and public infrastructure during my time in Congress,” said Rep. Marc Veasey (TX-33). “We’ve continued to make significant investments in our communities, ensuring that as our region expands rapidly, all residents have safe and equitable access to public transportation and infrastructure. The additional $62 million commitment to replace less efficient vehicles with electric buses marks a major milestone for our community. It’s a clear signal that we’re not just growing—we’re growing in a way that is safe, equitable, and innovative. Thanks to this funding, clean, safe, and reliable transportation is no longer out of reach for traditionally underserved minority communities. This investment is just the beginning. As the DFW area continues to grow, my colleagues and I will keep fighting for investments that benefit the people who live here—both now and in the future. I am excited to see this as the first step toward improving the quality of life for so many in the DFW area.”
“Over my first term in Congress, I have watched the Biden Administration put their money where their mouth is and invest millions of dollars in the health and safety of the North Texas communities I represent,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett (TX-30). “Just this past April, I was proud to join leaders of the Environmental Protection Agency in announcing $1.9 million for Cedar Hill ISD to purchase 10 electric emission-free school buses to replace diesel operated vehicles. This latest investment of over $62 million to replace hundreds of diesel-powered vehicles with electric buses is incredibly impactful for our rapidly expanding region, allowing North Texas to grow sustainably and equitably. The Biden - Harris administration has continued to show up for historically red-lined and underserved communities like those I represent, and I appreciate their commitment to environmental justice as we push forward towards a green energy future.”
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) has been selected to receive $60,000,000. NCTCOG will award rebates to program beneficiaries to replace approximately 234 vocational vehicles with 234 zero emission vehicles (ZEV). Specific projects will be identified through a Call for Projects (CFP) to select rebate recipients upon award by EPA. Based on a regional fleet survey conducted to inform this proposal, NCTCOG expects the fleet mix to consist mainly of box trucks, step vans, and refuse haulers; most new vehicles will be battery electric with a few hydrogen fuel cell vehicle pilot projects. Each project is expected to include supporting infrastructure. NCTCOG will also develop a regional ZEV workforce development plan, implement priorities identified through the plan and host first responder training specific to ZEV.
The Dallas Independent School District will receive $2,184,164 to replace 10 Class 7 diesel trucks with 10 Class 7 electric trucks. Supporting infrastructure for the project includes 10 Level 2 chargers along with all materials and software needed.
EPA’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant program, created by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, will replace existing internal combustion engine heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission vehicles, while also supporting the build out of clean vehicle infrastructure, as well as the training of workers to deploy these new zero-emission technologies. Together, the selected projects announced will reduce harmful emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, support good-paying jobs, and improve air quality in communities across the country, particularly in those that have been overburdened by air pollution. those that have been overburdened by air pollution. those that have been overburdened by air pollution.
Across the nation, over 3 million Class 6 and Class 7 vehicles are currently in use, spanning a wide variety of vehicle types and vocations. Many of these are older vehicles that emit higher levels of harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter, and greenhouse gases than newer vehicles. This pollution is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular disease, among other serious health problems. Children, older adults, those with preexisting cardiopulmonary disease, and those of lower socioeconomic status are particularly vulnerable to these health impacts. Cleaning up pollution from heavy-duty vehicles helps protect the health of 72 million people living near truck freight routes in America.
EPA’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program will accelerate the adoption and deployment of eligible Class 6 and 7 zero-emission vehicles. Vehicles eligible for replacement include older vehicles powered by internal combustion engines that pre-date recent EPA emission standards.
In total, EPA announced 70 applicants across 28 states, 3 Tribal Nations, and 1 territory have been selected to receive over $735 million to assist in the purchase of over 2,000 zero-emission vehicles through its first-ever Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program.
Proposed replacement vehicles include battery-electric box trucks, cargo trucks, emergency vehicles, refuse/recycling haulers, school buses, shuttle buses, step vans, transit buses, utility vehicles, and other vocational vehicles, as well as a small number of hydrogen fuel cell transit buses. In addition, the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program also funds zero-emission vehicle fueling infrastructure (e.g., electric vehicle charging stations), as well as workforce development and training. These investments support the implementation of the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization and the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy.
Roughly 70% of the funding awarded will support the purchase of clean school buses, helping provide clean air for children on their ride to school. These awards complement EPA’s Clean School Bus program through the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has awarded nearly $3 billion for nearly 9,000 clean school buses to date.
The Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
EPA prioritized disadvantaged communities facing air quality challenges, including nonattainment with EPA’s fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) or high levels of ambient diesel PM. Applications were evaluated on engagement with affected communities, especially local residents, to ensure their meaningful participation with respect to the design, planning, and performance of the project. Approximately $523 million of the funds announced will be used to fund projects serving communities located in areas in nonattainment with the NAAQS.
In addition to the funding for the replacement of existing internal combustion engine Class 6 and 7 heavy-duty vehicles with eligible Class 6 and 7 zero-emission vehicles, funding may also be used to support zero-emission vehicle adoption and deployment by providing:
- Zero-emission vehicle refueling infrastructure.
- Workforce development and training.
- Project implementation costs.
EPA will work with selected applicants over the coming weeks to finalize awards. EPA currently anticipates finalizing awards in early calendar year 2025 once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. Project implementation will occur over the next two to three years depending on the scope of each project.
Please visit the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program webpage for additional information and updates as EPA works with tentatively selected applicants to finalize awards and implement their projects.
Questions may also be directed to cleanhdvehicles@epa.gov.
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