HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-06-15 Letter to Tara Clark re Support of County Hawai'i Mass Transit Agency Submission to FTA's Low or No Emission Vehicle ProgramHarry Kim
Mayor
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Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
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(808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440
June l5,Z0|#
Tara Clark, Program Manager
OffiocnfProgram Management
Federal TceunsbAdministration
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20590
RE: SUPPORT OF COUNTY OF HAWAI'I MASS TRANSIT AGENCY SUBMISSION
TO FTA'S LOW OR NO EMISSION VEHICLE PROGRAM
Dear Ms. Clark:
TheHavmx1 County Mass Transit Agency has my full support and recommendation for securing
a grant under your 2018 Competitive Funding Opportunityfbr/hcLoworNo8mimukon Program.
As Mayor of Hawai`i County, 1 have a deep understanding of the severe inadequacy of Hawai`i
County's bus infrastructure. Our County's bus infrastructure depends solely on fossil fuel and it is critical
that we begin to deploy low or zero emission buses on Buvvui^i Island. Our mission is to advance clean
sustainable renewable energy for alternatively fueled transportation.
Buwwi^i Island encompasses 4,028 square miles and has recently reached a milestone with its
population rising above 200,000. We have the highest annual growth in the State and is known to have
the Iargest aging demographic in the United States. Many of our island residents live in rural areas and
commute over sixty (60) miles to work. Due to these dynamic influences, there is a greater demand for
public transit.
This grant will afford Buvvo ^i County the opponun�v1oyucceae�/||vuuppodminimizing
pmUudon,reducing our carbon footprint,
undinoreuoi the nation's energy security. The grant will be
used to purchase buses that will provide a significant amount of benefit and we want our users and the
general public to know that we are doing great things that are good for the community. Low or zero
emission buses are a great option for public transit. lnaddition, this grant will fo\fi||the vision of our
State and County by replacing all diesel fleet by 2045.
On behalf of the County ofHawaii, 1 fully support Hawai'i County Mass Transit Agency's
application for the Low No Emissions Program. Thank you for your consideration.
S
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Mayor, County ofBuvva^i
County ofHawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Ernploycr.