The Biden administration announced Monday that it has awarded more than $1.4 billion to projects that improve railway safety and boost capacity, with much of the money coming from the 2021 infrastructure law.
Among the grants, up to $108 million is on the way to Massachusetts for design and construction on the Inland Route Project.
“These projects will make American rail safer, more reliable, and more resilient, delivering tangible benefits to dozens of communities where railroads are located, and strengthening supply chains for the entire country,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.
Other projects include $178.4 million to restore passenger service in parts of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi along the Gulf of Mexico for the first time since Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.
Healey to overhaul clean energy permitting
The governor plans Tuesday to sign an executive order that will address the process by which clean energy projects and infrastructure are permitted, an issue which utility companies and others have said could determine whether Massachusetts makes good on its commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Gov. Maura Healey plans to create the Commission on Clean Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting and swear in its members in her ceremonial office Tuesday at 10:45 a.m. She will be joined by Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper.
The advisory from the governor’s press office did not identify commission members and said the group “will be tasked with streamlining and accelerating the siting and permitting of clean energy infrastructure in Massachusetts.”
