There is an exciting new option for farmworkers to travel to their agricultural job sites in California: clean transportation. The California Vanpool Authority (CalVans) recently received a $6 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), allowing them to provide 154 new hybrid vans to help agricultural workers commute to their job sites in the San Joaquin Valley and other farmlands throughout California.
California Climate Investments, a program aimed at reducing carbon emissions, building up the state economy, improving public health and safety, and protecting the environment, partnered with CARB to award the $6 million grant to CalVan.
Helping California Stay Green
The vans can hold up to fifteen passengers, and they have been retrofitted with hybrid technology that reduces their fuel consumption by 25 percent. The deployment of these vans will result in an immediate reduction of emissions within the economically disadvantaged agricultural community. Hybrid vans will serve farmworkers across eight counties in California, and the fleet is set to be up and running by early 2019.
Additionally, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District recently received an award of $108 million from CARB, in support of the Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) program, which focuses on reducing emissions throughout the agricultural industry. This program encourages farmers and agricultural companies to replace outdated and polluting farming equipment with newer, greener technology.
A Brighter Future for Agricultural Workers
Soon, farmworkers and agricultural workers throughout California will have greater access to clean transportation. If you work in the California agriculture industry and you need help defending your rights, Accident Recovery Legal Center is here to help. We provide free initial consultations to answer all of your questions about how to secure the workers’ compensation benefits you are owed. Give us a call today at 1-888-931-WORK (9675) to make an appointment with a skilled workers’ compensation attorney.