The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a nearly $250 million grant to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) as part of the Clean Corridor Coalition project, an initiative that aims to deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure for commercial zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles along the Interstate-95 (I-95) freight corridor, spanning across New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, and Maryland.
The project, which includes workforce development and corridor planning, seeks to reduce climate pollution, advance environmental justice, and accelerate America’s transition to clean energy.
It “marks a significant step forward in our efforts to address climate change and promote environmental justice along Interstate 95,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “The nearly $250 million grant to the Clean Corridor Coalition will not only reduce harmful emissions along one of the nation’s busiest freight corridors but will also help create jobs and produce health benefits for every community along I-95.”
New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette expressed gratitude for the federal support, saying, “This award of nearly $250 million for truck charging infrastructure is a critical down payment for zero-emission freight movement and will catalyze the deployment of zero-emission freight trucks in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region and beyond.”
The project has received praise from various officials, highlighting the economic and environmental benefits it will bring to the region.
Representative Andy Kim noted the importance of building out New Jersey’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure, stating that it helps the state lead in clean energy and green jobs. Lisa McCormick, a New Jersey environmentalist, emphasized the historic investment in clean energy and called for continued efforts to reverse policies that have hindered environmental progress.
Representative Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the US House Energy and Commerce Committee, emphasized the significance of the grant, stating, “This $248.9 million grant is a huge step toward cutting greenhouse gas emissions and boosting clean energy infrastructure along the I-95 corridor.”
Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) applauded the EPA’s decision, highlighting the importance of reducing vehicle emissions in densely populated areas. “In Congress, I fought hard to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which made one of the biggest investments in climate-resilient infrastructure in our history,” she said.
Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) celebrated the grant as a historic investment in green energy infrastructure, stating, “The nearly $250 million dedicated to supporting renewable energy-driven commerce along I-95 will not only help us reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change but strengthen our local economies, create well-paying jobs, and make meaningful progress towards climate justice.”
Representative Rob Menendez (NJ-08) underscored the critical nature of this investment in combating the climate crisis, praising New Jersey’s leadership in building a green economy.
The Clean Corridor Coalition includes the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and the Maryland Departments of the Environment and Transportation. The project aims to reduce environmental exposures to transportation emissions, increase the clean energy job pipeline, and provide workforce training, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
EPA selected the Clean Corridor Coalition’s proposal through a rigorous grant competition, reviewing nearly 300 applications and ultimately awarding funds to 25 projects.
These projects are expected to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 2050, providing public health benefits such as improved air quality and climate resilience, especially in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
The grants advance President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to marginalized communities. These funds will support the deployment of technologies and programs to reduce greenhouse gases, spur economic growth, and create job opportunities, thereby supporting America’s clean energy future.
EPA expects to award additional funds under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program for Tribes, Tribal consortia, and territories in the coming weeks, reinforcing the federal commitment to reducing climate pollution and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
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