EPA grant will go toward electric Port Authority buses in Allegheny County

The Allegheny County Health Department has received a grant of more than $5.5 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help the Port Authority purchase battery-electric buses.

“This is a small but important step toward cleaner air for all,” Health Director Dr. Debra Bogen said.

The Port Authority will buy seven 60-foot electric buses and one electric charging station, according to a news release. The buses will be used in the Downtown-Uptown-Oakland-Wilkinsburg Bus Rapid Transit corridor, which will be in operation by the end of 2022.

“Receiving this grant will help us put electric vehicles in densely-populated areas with high public transit ridership,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman. “We are grateful to the Allegheny County Health Department for submitting this application on our behalf as we continue to move toward a more environmentally-friendly fleet.”

Allegheny County has experienced frequent air quality issues over the years due to pollution. In April, the Pittsburgh region was named one of the worst in the nation for air quality by the American Lung Association.

The grant was awarded to the county under the Targeted Airshed Grant Program, which funds projects that reduce carbon emission in areas with historically poor air quality.

“We are quite fortunate in this community to have so many collaborations that benefit our region — and this announcement is no exception,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.