Reps. Zoe Lofgren, Anna Eshoo & Mike Honda Announce $750,000 in Funding for VTA Bloom Energy Fuel Cell

San Jose, CA – Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) and Mike Honda (D-Campbell) announced today that the Santa Clara County Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will receive $750,000 in funding for the agency's first Bloom Energy fuel cell facility. The grant, awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation, will go towards a 400kW fuel cell facility for VTA's Guadalupe Division maintenance yard in San Jose, CA.

"The growing use of these kinds of cutting edge power sources shows we can reduce dangerous greenhouse gas emissions and meet our power needs with clean, affordable energy," Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) said. " For VTA this will mean a cost-effective power source able to meet its future needs, while allowing for expanded transit options in our community and cleaner air for our kids to breathe."

"A clean, affordable transit system is vital to our local economy and environment," said Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto). "This funding will help reduce VTA bus emissions in a cost effective way by using new, cutting-edge fuel cell technology, developed right here in California's 14th Congressional District. A green economy is a healthy economy."

"I have long been impressed with Bloom Energy's technology and am proud to see DOT supporting this important partnership between an innovative Silicon Valley company and VTA," said Rep, Mike Honda (D-Campbell). "This grant will help VTA serve the pressing transit needs of our community in an environmentally friendly way while also supporting the development of our local clean tech economy."

The approximately $4 million fuel cell energy facility will consist of independent power modules, offering VTA the ability to power the maintenance yard and deliver both AC and DC power to charge electric vehicles and buses more quickly. The new system will also offer VTA the ability to expand the power system by adding additional fuel cell modules to meet its future power needs.

The three Representatives have been strong supporters of the infrastructure and improvement projects in Santa Clara County and the Valley. They were instrumental in securing the $900 million BART to Silicon Valley project funding announced earlier this year, and recently announced $3.75 million in funding for new zero-emission buses and vehicles in the transit fleet.

# # #