International Trucks’ Post

🚆 Attention Railtowns! 🚆 Any municipalities looking to enhance safety and mobility at rail crossings? The 2024 Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program NOFO is now available, offering significant funding opportunities to improve our communities. We've been compiling best practices for RCE grant applications - from some of the folks who *wrote* the requirements and review applications - and will be sharing tips in the coming days and weeks. It's highly competitive, so if you're going to apply, it's worth doing it right. Background: The RCE Program funds projects aimed at enhancing safety and mobility at highway-rail and pathway-rail grade crossings. This includes: Grade separation (bridges, embankments, tunnels), track relocation, installation or improvement of protective devices, signals, and signs, as well as planning, environmental studies, and final design for eligible projects. Who Can Apply: States, including D.C., Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories Political subdivisions of a state Federally recognized Indian Tribes Local governments or groups of local governments Public port authorities Metropolitan planning organizations Groups of the above entities Funding Details: Up to $1,148,809,580 available from FY 2023 and FY 2024 appropriations Special set-asides for planning projects, rural or tribal lands, and safety information and education programs. Application Requirements: Deadline: Submit by 11:59 p.m. EST, September 23, 2024 Documents Needed: Project Narrative, Statement of Work, Environmental Compliance Documentation, Federal Assistance Forms, Cost-sharing/matching information, Detailed Budget Key Focus Areas: Enhancing safety at rail crossings Supporting labor rights and addressing climate change Promoting energy efficiency and climate resilience Addressing environmental justice and reducing inequities Systematic data collection and performance evaluation Stay tuned for tips and updates! #RailSafety #Infrastructure #RailtownsUnited #FundingOpportunity #CommunityDevelopment

The issue is clear - the Nation needs to fund all transit projects (plus projects in all sectors) while balancing and reducing the budget. The bipartisan act cannot do that. However HR 4052 for the creation of the Nation’s fifth National Infrastructure Bank that would compliment this act and actually fund ALL of America’s infrastructure projects. Let’s do this right it may be the last opportunity we have. Check it out - nibcoalition.com. #nationalinfrastructurebank

Webinar to Discuss Statewide Zero-Emission Freight and Marine Grant Funding in California Up to $20 million in grant funding is currently available and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted https://lnkd.in/gJzzseGJ #ECOenginecertification #ECOenginecert #EmissionsCompliance #EPA #engineemissions #emissionstesting #EnginevehicleandPowertrainCertificationExperts #zeroemission

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is pleased to announce a competitive grant solicitation for several Grantees to implement and administer the projects eligible for Advanced Technology Demonstration and Pilot Project program (referred to as Program or ATDPP) under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 Funding Plan for Clean Transportation Incentives (FY 2021-22 Funding Plan) and the FY 2022-23 Funding Plan for Clean Transportation Incentives (FY 2022-23 Funding Plan). CARB’s goal under this Solicitation is to support a wide array of zero-emission off-road equipment and vessel projects as well as Green Zones, which has a very broad scope and is focused on supporting broad and creative roads to zero-emission adoption at the municipal level. The Program is intended to strategically accelerate the advancement of innovative and economically viable technologies into the commercial marketplace while also supporting the State’s equity and emission reduction goals. The Program helps to achieve these goals by funding projects that help guide development by encouraging the economic and environmental benefits of the projects. Historically, 99 percent of demonstration and pilot project funds have gone to projects located in priority populations or to projects that benefit priority populations. Projects funded under this Solicitation can support both pre-commercial technologies that are not yet offered for sale in the marketplace as well those commercial technologies that have already been deployed into the marketplace. All work must be completed and the CARB approved final report must be submitted to CARB by March 15, 2027. This competitive Solicitation is for a grantee, which can be a California based public agency or a California based non-profit organization that demonstrates the requisite administrative and technical expertise in overseeing large scale advanced technology deployments and professional relationships with prospective project partners (manufacturers, end-users fleets, communities).

On the 1 Reputation, LLC blog today with highlight the critical role of non-compete contracts in today's ever-changing environment. Our recommendation for creating these contracts for your company's specific needs is Leela Madan at Madan Law PLLC.

HMmm? Reminder. The Volunteers need self funding. Or an enterprise sponsor. Independence? Not sure that is required. SEE BELOW: RSTAC members must be citizens of the United States and “represent as broadly as practicable the various segments of the railroad and rail shipper industries.” They may not be full-time employees of the U.S. government. NOTE: it is permissible for federally registered lobbyists to serve on advisory committees, such as RSTAC, as long as they do so in a representative capacity, rather than an individual capacity. HMmm? ALERT — RSTAC volunteers are not compensated for their services and are required to provide for the expenses incidental to their service, including travel expenses, according to the STB; currently, RSTAC members have elected to submit annual dues to pay for RSTAC expenses. — note: the Chair is “committed to having a committee reflecting diverse communities and viewpoints and strongly encourages the nomination of candidates from diverse backgrounds.”

The organizations say they have passed the first hurdle in obtaining a Department of Energy grant. Read more bit.ly/3K4BRFA #breakingnews #news #montana #bozeman #belgrade #bigsky #billings #property #keepingcurrentmatters #realestate #realestateproperty #foryou #gallatinrealestate #bozemanmt

Eco-minded communicators take note! Billions in federal funds are coming down the pike for clean energy and infrastructure, but local governments — and nonprofits — without the expertise or budget (or staff) to apply could be left out. "We really, really needed the funds, but we didn’t have the competency, we didn’t have the capacity to be able to apply for it.” Does this sound familiar? The same challenge that exists in the international developement sector is also likely a problem in your community or region. While there's an effort to fund "locally-led initiatives," our communities need help articulating their need, vision, and proposed solutions - i.e., writing a successful grant. #grantwriting #communication #climatesolutions

KEY OBJECTIVES FOR DISTANCE-BASED ROAD CHARGING. What are some of the key objectives for a national pilot for distance-based road charging? Yesterday’s Senate hearing with FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt suggests we are close to having the appointment of the Advisory Board for the program. Attention will need turn to what we want to accomplish. See my Tolling Points blog post (https://lnkd.in/eiZKSe7t) for more insight. Join us in Baltimore from June 9-11 for IBTTA’s Finance and Road Usage Charging Summit for deeper dives into all the issues and insightful exchanges with the experts from the industry. #IBTTA #RUC #MBUF #tolling #TransportationFinance #InfrastructureFunding