Manchin Questions U.S. Secretary Of Transportation On U.S. Refueling Infrastructure, Cardinal Amtrak Train, Corridor H
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, questioned Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Senator Manchin questioned Secretary Buttigieg on allocating funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIF) to support all-of-the-above refueling infrastructure, prioritizing hydrogen fuel production, restoring daily service on the Cardinal Amtrak train and completing West Virginia’s Corridor H.
On allocating BIF funding to support all-of-the-above refueling infrastructure:
“The Biden Administration likes to say the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $7.5 billion to build a network of EV chargers across the country, but that’s not really accurate,” Senator Manchin said in part. “While EV charging is eligible for the funding, it is not the only technology that is and we were very clear about that in the bill. Hydrogen, propane, and natural gas refueling infrastructure is also eligible…Unfortunately, of the 47 awards provided so far, 43 of them have been exclusively for EV charging. Are you trying to correct the inequality of this distribution?”
On prioritizing hydrogen:
“Larger trucks are looking at hydrogen to support long-hauling – they have the horsepower and the ability to do it and it’s very clean. But we’re having a hard time getting hydrogen going and this Administration has been a bit lackluster on its production. I can tell you this: it’s the fuel of the future as far as heavy trains, planes, and definitely trucks and fueling stations in remote and mountainous areas,” Senator Manchin continued. “If you could consider different terrains and locations with these alternative fuel sources, it would help tremendously.”
On restoring daily service on the Cardinal Amtrak train:
“In West Virginia, rail service keeps us connected to the rest of the nation,” Senator Manchin said. “It’s truly a lifeline and people are using rail more than ever before. We’ve made recent upgrades to our stations to ensure passengers have a friendly atmosphere. We’re working to restore seven-day-a-week service on this critical transportation route to our state. If you would look into that, we would be deeply grateful.”
On completing Corridor H:
“You’ve been very helpful on Corridor H, which goes through West Virginia. We’ve been trying to complete it since 1965 and we’re getting close. We need your commitment to finish it and I hope it’s hot on your radar screen because West Virginia desperately needs it,” Senator Manchin said.
A video of Senator Manchin’s questioning is available here.
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