WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Two major cities in the southwestern United States received grants totaling nearly $1 million as part of a green communities initiative, the EPA announced.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded Houston with a $423,000 grant and Albuquerque with a $500,000 grant to advance green energy practices.
The grants slated for Houston are for the development of the infrastructure needed for electric vehicles, implement a bike-share program and install solar-powered lights along the city's bike paths.
Albuquerque will use the federal funds to develop technology needed to use gas generated during the decomposition of organic matter in landfills to produce energy. A project planned for the city, the EPA said in a statement, incorporates up-to-date landfill technology with a new market for recycling and recycled products.
"Houston and Albuquerque are leading the way with innovative projects to help EPA with our goal to reduce greenhouse gases," said Al Armendariz, the regional administrator for the EPA.
