WASHINGTON (NEWSnet/AP) — The U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding almost $1.7 billion in grants for buying zero- and low-emission buses, with the money going to transit projects in 46 states and territories.

The grants will enable transit agencies and state and local governments to buy 1,700 U.S.-built buses, nearly half of which will have zero carbon emissions.

Funding for the grants come from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden. The Democratic president has made it a priority to put more electric vehicles on the road, especially for schools and public transit.

“These are unprecedented levels of investment when it comes to putting modern cleaner buses on the road,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said about the effort.

Monday's announcement covers the second round of grants for buses and supporting infrastructure. All told, the U.S. has invested a total of $3.3 billion in the projects so far. 

The government received 475 project proposals that totaled roughly $8.7 billion, well over the amount of money available. But additional funding will be set aside in coming years.

Metro areas approved for funding include the Seattle area and the Washington, D.C., transit authority. Rural areas receiving grants include Iowa City, Iowa, and the Seneca Nation in Western New York.

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