GREEN Ferries Act

To amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to make zero-emission or reduced-emission passenger ferry grants, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Greenhouse gas Reduction and Environmental Enhancement through New Ferries Act GREEN Ferries Act 2. Passenger ferry grants (a) In general Section 5307(h) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following paragraph: (4) Zero-emission or reduced-emission grants (A) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) Eligible project The term eligible project (I) acquiring zero- or reduced-emission passenger ferries; (II) leasing zero- or reduced-emission passenger ferries; (III) constructing new vessels, facilities, and related equipment for zero- or reduced-emission passenger ferries; (IV) leasing facilities and related equipment for zero- or reduced-emission passenger ferries; (V) constructing new public transportation facilities to accommodate zero- or reduced-emission passenger ferries; (VI) constructing shoreside ferry charging or fueling infrastructure for zero- or reduced-emission passenger ferries; or (VII) rehabilitating or improving existing public transportation facilities to accommodate zero- or reduced-emission passenger ferries. (ii) Zero- or reduced-emission passenger ferry (I) In general The term zero- or reduced-emission passenger ferry (iii) Recipient The term recipient (B) General authority The Secretary may make grants to recipients to finance eligible projects under this paragraph. (C) Grant requirements A grant under this paragraph shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as a grant under subsection (a). (D) Competitive process The Secretary shall solicit grant applications and make grants for eligible projects under this paragraph on a competitive basis. (E) Government Share of Costs (i) In general The Federal share of the cost of an eligible project carried out under this paragraph shall not exceed 80 percent. (ii) Non-Federal share The non-Federal share of the cost of an eligible project carried out under this subsection may be derived from in-kind contributions. . (b) Set aside Section 5336(h)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (1) to carry out section 5307(h)— (A) $60,906,000 shall be set aside in fiscal year 2022, of which, not less than $20,000,000 shall be used to make grants under section 5307(h)(4); (B) $61,856,134 shall be set aside in fiscal year 2023, of which, not less than $20,000,000 shall be used to make grants under section 5307(h)(4); (C) $62,845,832 shall be set aside in fiscal year 2024, of which, not less than $20,000,000 shall be used to make grants under section 5307(h)(4); and (D) $63,832,511 shall be set aside in fiscal year 2025, of which, not less than $20,000,000 shall be used to make grants under section 5307(h)(4); .

Summary: Greenhouse gas Reduction and Environmental Enhancement through New Ferries Act or the GREEN Ferries Act This bill makes projects to construct or otherwise acquire zero- or reduced-emissions passenger ferries (and related facilities and equipment) eligible for grants that support transit capital, operating assistance, and transportation planning in urbanized areas.