EPA Awards Nearly $1B in Clean School Bus Program Grants
WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday announced that it will award nearly $1 billion to 67 applicants as a result of its very first clean school bus program grant competition.
The agency said the awards will enable the selected applicants to purchase more than 2,700 electric and low-emission school buses in 280 school districts serving over 7 million students across 37 states.
“By accelerating the transition to low- and zero-emission vehicles, these awards will improve air quality for children and their families and advance environmental justice, all while boosting the economy and creating good-paying jobs,” the agency said in a press release.
EPA will continue accepting applications for the current Clean School Bus Rebate Program until Jan. 31.
The agency is encouraging applicants not selected for the 2023 Clean School Bus Grant Program — and those that did not apply — to participate in current and future funding rounds.
In April 2023, EPA announced the availability of at least $400 million for its 2023 Clean School Bus Grants through a Notice of Funding Opportunity.
The grant application period closed in August 2023 with an outstanding response from applicants seeking to purchase electric and low-emission school buses.
As a result of the overwhelming demand and large number of high-scoring applications, including applicants in low-income communities, EPA nearly doubled the amount of funding that will be awarded this round to approximately $965 million.
These awards follow over $875 million obligated to new buses from the Clean School Bus Program’s 2022 Rebates, which funded the replacement of 2,366 buses at 372 school districts to further improve air quality in and around schools and reduce greenhouse gas pollution fueling the climate crisis.
In selecting recipients for the latest awards,. EPA prioritized school districts in low-income, rural, and/or tribal communities. In all, they represent about 86% of the projects selected for funding.
Dan can be reached at [email protected] and at https://twitter.com/DanMcCue
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