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ORANGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT 3 <br /> ORANGE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT 0 <br /> COUNTS , <br /> k`OW1 1'i CAROLINA arw�m�T <br /> Attachment 1 <br /> April 2, 2024 <br /> The Honorable Michael S. Regan <br /> Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency <br /> 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W. <br /> Washington, DC 20460 <br /> Dear Administrator Regan, <br /> Orange County is writing to express our strong support for GoTriangle's Climate Pollution <br /> Reduction Grants (CPRG) Program application for the Nelson Road Bus Operations and <br /> Maintenance Facility (BOMF) — Modernization and Expansion Project. Once fully <br /> implemented, the Project will advance GoTriangle's transition towards a zero-emissions <br /> fleet, including battery electric buses (BEBs), electric vehicle charging equipment, on-site <br /> solar photovoltaic electricity generation, and battery storage. <br /> GoTriangle's mission is to improve the region's quality of life by connecting people and <br /> places through safe, reliable and easy-to-use travel choices. GoTriangle provided 1.8 <br /> million annual trips in 2019, removing 24 million passenger vehicle miles from regional <br /> highways. Additionally, GoTriangle operates two battery-electric buses, and recently <br /> procured five (5) more, demonstrating the agency's commitment to cost-saving, efficient <br /> and resilient operations. <br /> The Project is in strong alignment with the Environmental Protection Agency's CPRG <br /> Program Objectives, including: significant greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions by 2030; <br /> substantial community benefits, particularly in low-income and disadvantaged <br /> communities; leveraging other funding sources to maximize GHG reductions and <br /> community benefits; and pursue innovative policies and programs that can be replicated <br /> across multiple jurisdictions. The Project is also in strong alignment with the North <br /> Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)'s priority measures, including the <br /> increase of zero emissions and electric vehicles, and the increase of electricity generated <br /> by renewable resources in North Carolina. <br /> Orange County strongly recommends that funding under the Climate Pollution Reduction <br /> Grant (CPRG) Program be allocated to GoTriangle for this initiative. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Jamezetta Bedford <br /> Chair— Board of County Commissioners <br />