Biden outlines clean fleet pilot program

LANDOVER, Md., April 22 (UPI) -- A pilot program to expand fleets of eco-friendly vehicles will be funded by $300 million in federal stimulus funds, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said.

"For city and state governments across this country, every day is Earth Day thanks to the ambitious commitments they are making to green their vehicles and transit systems," Biden said Wednesday during a visit to Landover, Md. "Now it's time for Washington to help them deliver on those promises."

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds can be used for cleaner, greener fleets of vehicles "that will cut costs, reduce pollution and create the jobs that will drive our economic recovery."

The Clean Cities Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicles Pilot Program will speed up the shift of the country's vehicle fleet, help to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy independence, Biden said.

This funding adds to the $11 billion already announced by the Department of Energy to bolster state and local government energy efficiency programs and weatherize low-income homes.