WASHINGTON — Sen. Tom Harkin has announced the city of Ames will receive $1.6 million in federal funds to upgrade 40 diesel buses to hybrid electric buses.

According to to the Iowa Democrat, the money is coming from the U.S. Transportation Department through its Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction program.

Harkin says the fundng will strengthen the transit system in Ames and will also help reduce global warming, lessen America’s dependence on oil and create green jobs.