October 24, 2022
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and White House Infrastructure Coordinator and Senior Advisor to the President Mitch Landrieu visited Albany on October 17 to highlight the historic $25.4 million federal investment into CDTA
The funding was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will allow CDTA to expand its fleet of electric buses and develop its charging infrastructure in order to reduce emissions and fight climate change. Gillibrand and Landrieu were joined by Congressman Paul Tonko, CEO of CDTA Carm Basile, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, State Senator Neil Breslin, Assemblymember Pat Fahy, Assemblymember John McDonald, Albany Common Council President Corey Ellis, Chair of the Albany County Legislature Andrew Joyce, Regional Director for Empire State Development Mike Yevoli, and President of Capitalize Albany Corporation Sarah Reginelli.
“I fought hard in Congress to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and invest in innovative green transit projects like the one we’re here to talk about today in Albany,” said Senator Gillibrand. “These federal dollars will provide the millions of riders who rely on CDTA to get around with a cleaner commute and reduce pollution in our Capital Region communities. I look forward to seeing CDTA’s new electric buses in action and I’ll keep fighting to upgrade our state’s infrastructure and make sure New York remains a leader in sustainable development and the fight against climate change.”
“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is our once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver for communities across New York, and this Administration’s $25 million investment to expand Albany’s fleet of electric buses is a great example of how we are working to ensure clean air and reliable transit for communities across the state,” White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu said. “We look forward to continuing our partnership across local and state government to combat climate change and connect New Yorkers to the people and places they love.”
“The benefits brought forth by investing in clean transportation are numerous and extensive—which is why I worked tirelessly to expand and strengthen CDTA services, champion EV provisions, and advance the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” Congressman Tonko said. “Today’s announcement highlights the years of dedicated work and coordination at the local, state, and federal levels to provide commuters with reliable public transit service, support public health, and fight climate change. I am delighted to join Senator Gillibrand and Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator Mitch Landrieu in announcing this major investment that will strengthen our Capital Region and push us towards a clean energy future.”
“On behalf of the entire City of Albany, we are honored to welcome White House Infrastructure Coordinator and Senior Advisor to the President Mitch Landrieu to New York’s Capital City. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is investing billions to combat climate change and reduce emissions by expanding green bus fleets across the nation. By providing more than $25 million to CDTA, new low and no-emission buses will make our air cleaner, especially in environmental justice communities such as Albany’s South End. Thank you to Senator Gillibrand, Majority Leader Schumer, and Congressman Tonko for supporting this once-in-a-generation investment in combating climate change, repairing our streets and bridges, expanding internet access, and ensuring every American has access to clean water,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.
"This $25 million dollar federal investment is a demonstration of Senator Gillibrand's continued commitment to greener, healthier communities," said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. "Electric buses offer another way to fight climate change by reducing emissions and will expand CDTA's electric fleet. Thank you, Senator Gillibrand.”
"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has and will make a large impact in our Capital Region and I applaud Senator Gillibrand for highlighting just one of the many areas of investment toward our award-winning Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA),” said Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh. “An investment of this magnitude in CDTA will not only help expand more transit options but also provides those options in an environmentally favorable way."
“Investments in green infrastructure, multi-modal transportation, and our public transit system creates good-paying jobs while addressing climate change,” said Assemblymember Patricia Fahy. “In 2020, I was proud support state funding for CDTA to launch Upstate New York’s first electric buses, and federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will further their role as a leader in sustainability, emissions reduction, and climate action. With transformational infrastructure projects underway throughout the Capital Region - including reimagining I-787 - we have a chance to realize a greener, multi-modal future when it comes to our transportation grid. I commend Senator Gillibrand for her work in passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and her continued commitment to delivering on infrastructure funding for our communities. We are seeing first hand right here in the Capital Region the benefits of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with this $25.4 million investment in the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA). By expanding CDTA's fleet of electric buses we are not only improving the quality life for the people of our community, we are also doing it in a way that is environmentally responsible."
"We are seeing first hand right here in the Capital Region the benefits of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with this $25.4 million investment in the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA). By expanding CDTA's fleet of electric buses we are not only improving the quality life for the people of our community, we are also doing it in a way that is environmentally responsible," said NYS Senator Neil Breslin.
This funding was allocated through the Federal Transit Administration’s FY22 Low or No Emission Vehicle Program. With money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this program will provide $5.5 billion in grants over five years to transit agencies, municipalities and states across the country to buy or lease U.S.-built low- or no-emission vehicles, including related equipment or facilities. Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has already provided millions in federal funding to improve New York infrastructure. New York airports have received more than $156 million, including over $5 million for Albany International Airport and over $1 million in combined funding for smaller airports in the Capital Region. Public transit in New York will also have received more than $2 billion by the end of this year.