The United States’ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Monday nearly $US1 billion in grant funding for cleaner school buses across the country, expected to help purchase over 2,700 mostly electric buses for schools across 37 states.
The EPA announced on Monday the selection of 67 applicants to receive nearly $US1 billion through its first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition, part of the Biden administration’s Investing in America agenda.
The awards will help successful applicants purchase over 2,700 clean school buses in 280 school districts in 37 states, which serve over 7 million students.
The EPA’s Clean School Bus Program has now awarded nearly $US2 billion in funding which will help the purchase of approximately 5,000 electric and low-emission school buses across the country.
Announced in April 2023, the EPA had originally allocated only $US400 million for this round of grants, with the application period closing in August. However, a massive response from applicants, including an overwhelming demand in low-income communities, pushed the EPA to nearly double the amount of funding available.
“Every school day, 25 million children ride our nation’s largest form of mass transit: the school bus,” said Vice President Kamala Harris.
“The vast majority of those buses run on diesel, exposing students, teachers, and bus drivers to toxic air pollution.
“Today, we are announcing nearly $1 billion to fund clean school buses across the nation. As part of our work to tackle the climate crisis, the historic funding we are announcing today is an investment in our children, their health, and their education. It also strengthens our economy by investing in American manufacturing and America’s workforce.”
This latest round of grant funding builds on the over $US875 million awarded during the Clean School Bus Program’s 2022 Rebates, which funded the replacement of 2,366 buses across 372 school districts.
The next 2,700 clean school buses are expected to be primarily 100% electric, and will be prioritised towards school districts in low-income, rural, and/or Tribal communities.
“Today we’re once again accelerating the transition to electric and low-emission school buses in America, helping to secure a healthier future where all our children can breathe cleaner air,” said Michael S. Regan, EPA Administrator.
“I’ve sat next to students on their very first clean school bus ride and their excitement reflects the power of good policy. Thanks to President Biden’s historic investments in America, thousands more school buses will hit the road in school districts across the country, saving school districts money and improving air quality at the same time.”
The EPA is also currently accepting applications for another round of the 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program, with applications open until January 31.
