The San Diego-based North County Transit District (NCTD) received American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in support of its sustainability plan.

NCTD will use the $2 million discretionary grant to make alternative energy technology investments that will assist in the reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. 

The agency proposes to use the funding to install solar power generation capability across a variety of locations throughout the service area. The agency will be demonstrating the feasibility of deploying solar technology in the rail right-of-way, investing in space that cannot be utilized for other purposes. Rooftop solar panels will be installed at NCTD maintenance and administrative facilities to offset power needs at those locations.

Customers who drive green vehicles to transit stations will benefit from the program. Parking spaces at select transit centers will provide solar-powered charging units for plug-in vehicles which will be free to use for customers. In addition, solar carports will be installed at some parking lots to both provide power and offer shaded parking options. 

NCTD’s sustainability plan sets forth the agency’s green initiatives that yield community, economic and environmental benefits. The agency’s commitment to being a long-term sustainability partner is well represented through programs such as the use of solar panels along the Coaster rail right-of-way to power a new wireless security system, the construction of a replacement compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station for bus operations and the replacement of older buses with CNG-powered vehicles.

Recent initiatives also include the installation of an energy-efficient data center and the replacement of parking lot lights with more efficient options.