King, Pingree Welcome $3.6 Million For New, Green Casco Bay Ferry

Statement

Today, Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) announced a $3,600,000 U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant for the Casco Bay Island Transit District (CBITD) to replace an outdated, aging ferry in their fleet with a new, hybrid vessel. The funding, awarded through FTA's competitive Passenger Ferry Grant Program and supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will replace the Maquoit II, a passenger and freight ferry built in 1994, with a new ferry equipped with a diesel electric hybrid propulsion system. It's estimated this will eliminate 1,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually.

"Casco Bay Island Transit District's ferries are an essential transportation artery for both our year-round and seasonal residents. The Maquoit II is without a doubt the workhorse of their fleet, carrying passengers, mail, and other cargo 50 miles a day, 365 days a year to and from Casco Bay's rural islands. But this vessel is nearly three decades old, and the area is ready for a 21st century, environmentally sound replacement," said Senator King and Congresswoman Pingree. "With the use of innovative battery-powered propulsion technology, this new vessel will not only dramatically improve passengers' experience by eliminating exhaust fumes and excessive engine noise and vibrations, it will reduce CO2 emissions, improving the ferry's environmental impact. We're thrilled the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded this grant to the Casco Bay Island Transit District. With it, our communities and environment will be better served."

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