The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has freed $400 million in grants for financing “cleaner” school buses, primarily electric ones but also those running on gas. This is the first round of funding coming as grants but follows on from powerful programs.
The new funding is, of course, part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides $5 billion to transform the nation’s fleet of school buses. It is also the first round of funding available as grants. It follows the nearly $1 billion the Biden-Harris Administration awarded through the rebate competition last year to fund electric and low-emission school buses across school districts, the EPA informs.
As for the new grants, applications under the Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘Clean School Bus’ scheme for the current year will be accepted until 22 August. EPA adds it is prioritizing applications that will replace buses serving high-need local education agencies, Tribal school districts funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs or those receiving basic support payments for students living on Tribal land and rural areas.
According to the EPA, the $400 million program will fund electric, propane, and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses that will produce either zero or low tailpipe emissions compared to their older diesel predecessors. Those requesting electric school buses will also receive funding towards charging infrastructure. The most significant amount is $395,000.
Depending on the number of school districts they serve, agencies may request between 50 school buses and up to a maximum of 100 school buses if they serve at least four districts. Those serving one to three districts may order a minimum of 15 and up to a maximum of 50 school buses.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is already transforming school bus fleets across the nation, passing on cost savings to districts while improving air quality,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With new grant funding available, we will accelerate our work to transition to electric and low-emission school buses further and faster than ever before.”
The almost one billion dollars awarded to 389 school districts in all states in 2022 supported purchasing 2,463 “clean” school buses, 95 per cent of which are electric.
In America, about 25 million schoolchildren take a bus every day. Across the US, various states have launched additional funding programs for electric school buses, with national industry solutions following suit.
epa.gov, epa.gov (Clean School Bus program page)
Keyword: EPA releases $400 mn in grants for the Clean School Bus scheme