GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios on Thursday announced that the CNMI was awarded a $48.6 million grant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under its Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program.
The program, created by the Inflation Reduction Act, aims to accelerate the nation’s transition to zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles and infrastructure.
The Office of the Governor, in a statement, said the $48.6 million awarded to the CNMI is part of the $735 million funding pool designated for the purchase of over 2,000 zero-emission vehicles nationwide.
The grant program, which is the first of its kind, is designed to replace internal combustion engine vehicles with zero-emission alternatives, the governor’s office said.
The program will fund the acquisition of battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, including transit buses, cargo trucks, emergency vehicles, refuse/recycling haulers, school buses, shuttle buses, and vocational vehicles, the governor’s office added.
In addition, the program will support infrastructure development and workforce training for the deployment of “cutting-edge technologies.”
Expressing his gratitude to the EPA’s dedication to advancing clean energy solutions, the governor said, “This grant is a major milestone in the CNMI’s movement toward cleaner transportation…. It will also create valuable, long-term employment opportunities.”
“Equally important,” he added, “this investment will reduce government fuel and utility expenses, enabling significant savings while advancing the CNMI’s renewable energy and sustainability efforts. With this grant, the CNMI is poised to make meaningful progress in our energy transition.”
Palacios thanked EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, Program Lead Trina Martynowicz, Project Officer Danielle Huang, and Grants Specialist Nelly Sun for “their technical support and guidance in ensuring that the CNMI is given this opportunity.”
He also commended the CNMI team for their “prompt and effective response in finalizing the technical and budgetary revisions required for the grant application.”
This initiative, the governor said, is the result of a collaborative effort involving the Office of Grants Management and State Clearinghouse, the Northern Marianas Technical Institute, the Department of Public Works, the Department of Fire & Emergency Medical Services, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, and the Commonwealth Office on Transit Authority.
Palacios said the mayors of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota have also partnered to extend the benefits of this program to all CNMI islands.
The project, which will be administered by the OGM-SC, is expected to commence in Jan. 2025.
The program will replace 43 Class 6 and 7 internal combustion engine vehicles with new electric heavy-duty vehicles, including transit buses, fire engines, boom trucks, bucket trucks, and other vocational equipment.
Additionally, the grant will fund the construction of new carport infrastructure, the development of an electric vehicle or EV maintenance training program, and the employment of grant managers to oversee the implementation of the project.
“In the U.S., there are over three million Class 6 and 7 vehicles, many of which are powered by internal combustion engines that predate modern EPA emissions standards. These aging vehicles contribute to harmful pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM2.5), and greenhouse gases. Replacing these vehicles with zero-emission alternatives will significantly reduce emissions, improve air quality, and promote better public health outcomes,” the governor’s office said.
