POLITICS

EPA Selects 67 Applicants for $1B in Clean School Bus Program Grants

February 6, 2024

The EPA announced the selection of 67 applicants to receive nearly $1 billion through the first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition.
The grants will enable the purchase of 2,700 clean school buses for 280 school districts, 95% of which will be electric.
So far, EPA’s Clean School Bus Program has granted nearly $2 billion, funding about 5,000 electric and low-emission school buses across the nation.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) selected 67 applicants who will receive nearly $1 billion through the first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. Made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, these grants will assist in purchasing over 2,700 clean school buses for 280 school districts. 95% of the buses will be electric. These districts serve more than 7 million students across 37 states.

The awards will expedite the transition to low- and zero-emission vehicles, thereby improving air quality for children and their families and advancing environmental justice. Furthermore, this initiative will stimulate the economy and create well-paid jobs. The announcement signifies that the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program has so far granted nearly $2 billion, funding about 5,000 electric and low-emission school buses across the nation.

The program prioritizes school districts in low-income, rural, and tribal communities. This commitment aligns with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which strives to provide marginalized communities with a fairer share of the benefits resulting from federal investments, especially those impacted by pollution.

_{School districts in Clean School Bus Program, image care of EPA.}

We all know the impact of gas-powered transportation on the environment. EPA’s Clean School Bus Program aims to replace existing diesel school buses with zero-emission models.

This $5 billion program, created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, includes both a grant program and a rebate program. The grant program awards selected applicants with funds to purchase clean school buses, while the rebate program allows them to receive awards after purchasing eligible buses.

The second round of selections for the Clean School Bus Program grants has just been announced, and the EPA will make more funds available in future rounds of funding. The EPA was accepting applications for the 2023 Clean School Bus Program Rebates until January 31, 2024.

Initiatives like the Clean School Bus Program are crucial for reducing emissions and creating a cleaner, healthier environment for all. Spread the word about this program and encourage local school districts to participate.