News & Updates: Newsroom

RTA news

 

Sept. 24, 2009

 

RTA receives $2.26 million federal grant for ‘green’ work

 

CLEVELAND – The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has received a $2.257 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for a unique Facility Energy Conservation Project.

 

It was one of 43 transit projects announced Sept. 21 by the Obama Administration, to share $100 million in Economic Recovery Act funding. The agencies are pursuing cutting-edge environmental technologies to help reduce global warming, lessen America's dependence on oil and create green jobs.

 

The project

 

A comprehensive conservation analysis found that more than 60 percent of facility-related energy usage and cost occurred in 8 operating facilities.

 

Based on these results, RTA will pursue a number of energy procurements and retrofit activities that will yield a significant cost savings through the replacement of lighting fixtures, control systems and roof upgrades at selected facilities.

 

With this work is completed, RTA will save more than 6.3 million kWh/yr and $499,912 annually.

 

These facilities were selected, because work there will result in the greatest savings, and the most long-term gain would occur from energy retrofitting.

·         Central Rail Maintenance Facility

·         Central Bus Maintenance Facility

• Harvard Bus Garage
• Hayden Bus Garage
• Triskett Bus Garage
• Woodhill Bus Garage
• Paratransit
• Root McBride Main Office Building

 

FTA statement

 

"This is a sign of things to come," says U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "This shows how investing in green transportation not only helps the planet, but creates jobs and strengthens our economy. It also shows how much more we can do."

 

The 43 winning proposals were submitted by transit agencies from across the country as part of a nationwide competition for $100 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds. Selection criteria included:

·         A project's ability to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

·         Provide a return on the investment.

·         Readiness to implement.

·         Applicant capacity.

·         Degree of innovation.

·         National applicability.

The FTA reviewed more than $2 billion in applications for these funds.

 

"These grants will put Americans to work now, while improving our environment in the future," says FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff. "The transit industry continues to be at the forefront of reducing pollution and creating a cleaner, safer environment for our nation."

 

Transit agencies began submitting their proposals after the FTA announced rules for the Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) grant program as part of the Recovery Act last March.

 

Since President Obama signed ARRA into law on Feb. 17, 2009, grants totaling more than $7.2 billion have been made available for transit improvements throughout the nation. The U.S. Department of Transportation is making $48.1 billion available for highway, transit, bridge, rail, shipyard and airport construction and repairs nationwide. Of that, $26.5 billion already has been obligated to fund more than 8,500 approved projects in 55 U.S. States and Territories.

 

A complete list of winning project proposals is posted on the FTA Web site.

 

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY

·         Paul Griffo, FTA, 202-366-4064

·         Jerry Masek, RTA, 216-566-5211

·         Danielle Willis, RTA, 216-771-4144