Washington, DC--Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) and Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY-18) secured a preliminary $2,000,000 in funding for Westchester County as part of the FY 2011 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill.  The legislation passed the full House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday.

The funding is for Westchester County to replace several 60-foot articulated buses, with new fuel-efficient hybrid buses.

Rep. Engel said, “I am very pleased to join with Congresswoman Lowey to help Westchester County move forward with this important project.  I have long been calling for a move towards fuel-efficient vehicles as an important part of our nation’s need to break our addiction to foreign oil.  Also, this project is very helpful in enabling Westchester County to cut down on its harmful emissions and do their part in halting the spread of climate change.”

“I am pleased the preliminary version of this funding bill would help support transportation options for Westchester County residents,” said Rep. Lowey.  “This project would help ease congestion on our roads and pollution in our air, while relieving local taxpayers of this financial burden.  I will work with Congressman Engel to ensure this important priority receives federal support.”

Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino said, "As County Executive, I am grateful to have the assistance of Representative Lowey and Representative Engel to ensure the appropriation projects were pushed forward. Attaining these hybrid buses will help our Westchester transit riders and will be a environmentally friendly use of transportation."

This action was another step in the process with the bill now to be voted on by the full House. The Senate is also working on its version of the bill.

Rep. Engel added, “While this is not the end of the Appropriations process, I feel very good that funding for this important program was included in this measure. I will continue working with my colleagues to ensure this funding is preserved as the bill moves through the legislative process.”

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