$44M in federal, Colorado funds spent on 28 electric buses, capping oil, gas wells

More than $44 million, including $31.7 million for electric buses, will be spent on projects announced by Colorado’s state and federal legislators.

The Colorado Department of Transportation announced 28 electric buses and related infrastructure will be paid for with $15 million from the Colorado Clean Transit Enterprise board and $16.7 million from the Volkswagen Settlement Program. The settlement required Volkswagen to create a $2.9 billion fund after it admitted in federal court it installed technology to falsely report satisfactory reports of exhaust emissions on approximately 590,000 vehicles. The company also paid an additional $2 billion to build infrastructure for electric vehicle charging.

Colorado will receive a $12.6 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to assist with reducing methane emissions through voluntary plugging of oil and gas wells on non-federal lands throughout the state. In addition to methane reductions, the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission will work to reduce other greenhouse gas emissions by permanent plugging, remediation and reclamation of marginal wells. Wells known to have high emissions of methane and those close to disproportionately impacted communities will be prioritized for the project.

The grant for plugging wells is part of the EPA and Department of Energy’s Methane Emissions Reduction program, which received $350 million from the Inflation Reduction Act. Colorado is one of 14 states receiving money for projects.

“This program also aligns with other efforts in Colorado to improve oil and gas permitting processes, strengthen our financial assurance requirements, and facilitate the development of projects that support the state’s climate and energy goals,” Aaron Ray, interim director for Colorado’s Energy and Carbon Management Commission, said in a statement.

Breckenridge, Winter Park and the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority will receive funds from both the Clean Transit Enterprise board and the Volkswagen settlement.

Breckenridge will purchase seven battery electric buses and chargers with $2.9 million from the state and $1.5 million from the settlement. Winter Park will purchase two battery electric buses to replace existing buses and receive $966,420 from the state and $1.5 million from the settlement.

Roaring Fork Transportation Authority will replace 10 diesel buses with battery electric models and purchase and install five chargers with $5.4 million from the state and $10 million from the settlement.

“This support will help ensure that Colorado’s EV transition doesn’t stop at personal vehicles but makes our buses and public transportation options cleaner, too” Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement.

In addition to municipalities, two nonprofits will receive grants. The Laradon Hall Society for Exceptional Children and Adults will receive $238,484 to purchase two electric vans and the Developmental Disabilities Resource Center will receive $150,000 to purchase two electric vans.