Trucks Clips: January 10, 2024

Department of Labor (DOL)

Biden Digs In Heels On Embattled Acting DOL Boss, Renominated To Lead Department — “President Joe Biden on Monday renominated Julie Su to serve as U.S. labor secretary, despite her confirmation being mired in the Senate for nearly a year. Su has served as DOL Acting Secretary since March 2023 and was nominated in February 2023 by President Biden to assume the role of Secretary. In his nomination of Su last year Biden called Su ‘a tested and experienced leader, who will continue to build a stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive economy that provides Americans a fair return for their work and an equal chance to get ahead.’ Su’s nomination last year was unpopular among trucking stakeholders, mostly due to her role in passing California’s AB 5 independent contractor legislation as California’s labor commissioner, then as secretary for the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) last June wrote a letter to President Biden asking him to ‘withdraw the nomination of Ms. Julie Su to lead the U.S. Department of Labor.’” [Heavy-Duty Trucking, 1/9/24 (-)]

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Biden Admin Awards Nearly $1 Billion Toward 2,700 Electric School Buses — “Thanks to the Biden Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, school districts across the country are getting access to a huge amount of funds to purchase greatly improved, much more efficient school buses. In a release, the EPA announced that nearly $1 billion will be awarded to school districts across the country. Over 280 school districts that serve 7 million students in 37 states will have access to $875,429,000 to purchase more than 2,700 clean energy school buses. The funds came after the EPA went through the process of selecting districts and agencies that had applied to the agency’s Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition, which was made possible by the Biden Administration’s $425.3-billion Investing in America initiative. With this new funding, the EPA has given nearly $2 billion for the purchase of 5,000 clean-energy school buses across the country.” [Jalopnik, 1/9/24 (+)]

🚌 Policy Number Of The Day: Roughly $1 Billion — “That’s fresh EPA awards for districts to buy ‘clean’ school buses, mostly electric models, Ben writes. Why it matters: Replacing diesel buses is good for the climate while also cutting localized air pollution that harms kids. Driving the news: The latest funding will enable purchase of over 2,700 buses in 280 school districts across 37 states, EPA said. It’s part of a wider $5 billion program under the 2021 infrastructure law.” [Axios, 1/9/24 (+)]

US Tips Another $1 Billion Into Electric School Buses, To Cut “Toxic Air Pollution” — “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.” [The Driven, 1/10/24 (+)]

US EPA Awards Nearly $1 Billion In Clean School Buses — “The funds will be used to subsidise the purchase of around 2,700 buses in 280 school districts in 37 states, 95 per cent of which will be electric buses. In April 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced at least 400 million dollars for ‘clean’ school buses in 2023. Due to high demand, this sum has been more than doubled to the 965 million dollars now awarded. The EPA is still accepting applications for the Clean School Bus Rebate Program 2023 until 31 January 2024. In total, the Clean School Bus Programme has so far awarded almost 2 billion US dollars and financed around 5,000 electric and low-emission school buses across the country.” [Electrive, 1/9/24 (+)]

School Buses Get A Green Boost With $1 Billion EPA Investment — “In short: The Biden administration allocates nearly $1 billion for school districts to replace diesel buses with cleaner alternatives, including electric buses. More than 280 school districts serving more than 7 million students will benefit, with a focus on low-income, rural and tribal communities. The transition to electric buses faces challenges related to infrastructure and charging, but some states are committed to phasing out diesel buses. Key quote: ‘Zero-emission school buses can and one day will be the American standard, and we’re hitting the accelerator on a cleaner and healthier future for all.’ — Michael Regan, EPA Administrator” [Environmental Health News, 1/9/24 (+)]

Electric School Buses Have Another Billion-Dollar Year — “Imagine waiting for the school bus – you’re trying to remember algebra for a test, you didn’t get much sleep because of your asthma, and the diesel school bus pulls up, reeking of emissions, making it hard for you to breathe again today. When the 26 million U.S. children climb aboard one of the 480,000 yellow buses that gets them to and from school each day, the first thing too many of them inhale is diesel fumes. Over 90 percent of U.S. school buses run on diesel. Each school bus burns about 1,700 gallons of fuel annually. That amounts to burning an estimated total of 734.4 million gallons every year, adding millions of tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. ‘Today, we are announcing nearly $1 billion to fund clean school buses across the nation,’ Vice President Harris said on Monday with a big smile.” [Environment News Service, 1/9/24 (+)]

TV: Fox and Friends First (942,893) “Remember when Kamala Harris said she loves school buses. Now there is an update on that. >> Cheryl: she really, really loves school buses. Planning to spend billion dollars on school buses. Schools can buy electric or low emission buses. Vice President announcing that funding move, watch. Funding move, watch. >> our electric school bus program, it will be in urban and tribal communities, in all 50 states to reduce greenhouse gas emission. >> Cheryl: the Vice President has a soft spot for school buses, despite the price tag. >> I love a yellow school bus. Raise your hand if you love a yellow school bus, right? There is something about -- and most of us, many went to school on the yellow school bus and it is part of our experience growing up. >> Cheryl: Funding comes from 2021 infrastructure bill. I made this point before, when you have inflation where it is and debates about spending in Washington, you can allocate something, do you have to spend it? Not my lane, just a question. >> Carley: 1 billion to get rid of gas school us abouts, this waste makes taxpayers infuriated.” [FNC (Fox News), 1/9/24 (-)]

White House Unveils $1 Billion For Electric And Low-Emission School Buses — “The Biden administration announced Monday $1 billion in funding for more than 2,700 electric and low-emission school buses across 37 states. This is a second part of funding of a $5 billion, five-year initiative from the bipartisan infrastructure law. In total, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program has awarded nearly $2 billion and funded approximately 5,000 electric and low-emission school buses nationwide. On a call with reporters, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said that many school buses ‘rely on internal combustion engines that emit toxic pollution in to the air.’ ‘Not only are these pollutants harmful to the environment, but they can also be harmful to the health and well-being of every student, every bus driver and every resident in surrounding communities,’ he continued.” [Michigan Advance, 1/9/24 (+)]

EPA Awards Nearly $1 Billion To 67 Clean School Bus Program Applicants — “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected 67 applicants to receive nearly $1 billion through EPA’s first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. The awards, made possible through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will help selectees purchase over 2,700 clean school buses in 280 school districts serving more than 7 million students across 37 states. With this announcement, EPA’s Clean School Bus Program has awarded nearly $2 billion and funded approximately 5,000 electric and low-emission school buses nationwide.” [NGT News, 1/9/24 (+)]

What To Know About President Biden’s Clean School Bus Program — “Just as students are getting back into the swing of things post winter break, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced 67 recipients of the EPA’s first Clean School Bus Program’s Grants Competition. The awards were possible thanks to President Joe Biden’s Investing in America initiative, and will allow for more than 2,700 school buses in 280 school districts serving over seven million students. ‘It’s an exciting day for us to be able to announce this $1 billion, which will be a shot in the arm to get clean school buses to every community, sooner, rather than later,’ Michael Regan, Director of the EPA, tells Parents.” [Parents, 1/8/24 (+)]

EPA Awards $965M In Grants From Clean School Bus Program — “EPA awarded $965 million in grants to purchase almost 2,700 electric school buses, the second funding round in the agency’s $5 billion Clean School Bus Program.” [RTO Insider, 1/9/24 (=)]

EPA Is Investing Nearly $1 Billion For 2,700 School Buses In The US (95% Electric) — “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the selection of 67 applicants to receive nearly $1 billion through EPA’s first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. The awards, which are made possible through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will help selectees purchase over 2,700 clean school buses in 280 school districts serving over 7 million students across 37 states. With this latest announcement, EPA’s Clean School Bus Program has awarded nearly $2 billion and funded approximately 5,000 electric and low-emission school buses nationwide.” [Sustainable Bus, 1/10/24 (+)]

EPA To Announce Funding For Electric School Buses In Dekalb — “New electric buses are coming to schools all over the country, including those in DeKalb, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is set to announce today. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan will be in Stone Mountain to announce the latest round of funding for school systems to buy clean buses under President Joe Biden’s Investing in America effort. The Biden administration has made reducing pollutants a priority, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021 allocated $5 billion to replacing aging, diesel school buses. Exposure to diesel exhaust is linked to asthma and other respiratory illnesses, especially in children and the elderly, according to the EPA. It also contributes to ground-level ozone, which can be a major hazard on Georgia’s hot summer days and has been tied to a host of serious health conditions.” [The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 1/8/24 (+)]

EPA Investigator General Cites Clean School Bus Program Inefficiencies, Utility Delays — “Management Implication Report: Preventing Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Within the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program released on Dec. 27, identified some of the concerns. One of which is that third parties submitted rebate applications in 2022 on behalf of school districts without their knowledge, ultimately violating program requirements and resulting in the school districts returning the money. The report also states that school districts without student enrollments but that provide transportation for member school districts applied for and received funding. ‘Total withdrawals from the 2022 Clean School Bus rebates, including those school districts that withdrew because a contractor applied without their consent or knowledge, were in excess of $38 million,’ the report reads, stating that when a recipient withdrew, the EPA selected additional applicants from the waiting list, which extended the project timeline. The report continues, ‘We also identified a significant lack of transparency in several applications with regard to important contact information regarding contracting parties and vehicle suppliers. In one instance, we had to conduct six months of investigative work, including issuing subpoenas and conducting interviews and surveillance, to ascertain information that should have been in the application, such as the identity of the contractor applicant.’” [School Transportation News, 1/8/24 (-)]

Truck Manufacturers

GreenPower Motor Co.

GreenPower Gets Grant To Build 47 Electric School Buses — “GreenPower Motor Company will receive a federal grant to build electric school buses for nine West Virginia districts. GreenPower will get $18.5 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to build 47 electric school buses at its South Charleston plant. The award is part of nearly $1 billion in nationwide investment in clean school buses under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. GreenPower recently delivered its first electric buses to four West Virginia counties. The 47 buses will go to Kanawha, Lewis, Calhoun, Clay, Grant, Harrison, Monongalia, Cabell and Mineral counties. More funds are available for schools to replace diesel-powered buses. The EPA is accepting applications for its 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate program until Jan. 31.” [West Virginia Public Broadcasting, 1/9/24 (+)]

Greenpower Gets $18.5M For Clean School Bus Program — “GreenPower of West Virginia is getting more than $18 million to support its Clean School Bus Program. According to U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), the $18,560,000 in funding has been granted from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. He says the funding is for GreenPower to use in Cabell, Clay, Calhoun, Kanawha, Mineral, Monongalia, Harrison, Grant and Lewis counties. ‘I am pleased that the EPA is investing over $18 million in Clean School Bus Awards across our great state. These new buses, built in West Virginia, will offer improved transportation for young West Virginians travelling to and from school every day,’ said Manchin. ‘Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver critical investments for the Mountain State, and I will keep working with the EPA to ensure that federal funding enhances the well-being of communities across West Virginia for generations to come.’” [WOWK-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

Nikola Corp.

Quick Spin: Nikola Tre Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Truck — “Bosch brought a surprise to its press briefing at the House of Journalists technology seminar at CES 2024: A brand-new, Class 8 Nikola Tre fuel-cell-electric tractor. Bosch manufactures the fuel-cell assemblies used at the back of the Tre. So, the collaboration allowed journalists to see cutting-edge Bosch technology up close. Christian Appel, Nikola’s global chief engineer, was on hand to talk to journalists about the truck and ride shotgun for a quick test drive around Las Vegas. Advanced zero-emissions technology aside, the Nikola Tre is a head-turner, even in Las Vegas where CES took place. That’s because Nikola uses an Iveco cabover chassis, and the tall, lean, stark white Euro-style tractors really stand out on the road.” [Heavy-Duty Trucking, 1/9/24 (+)]

Zum Services, Inc.

Zum Awarded Over $26 Million From The EPA To Purchase Clean School Buses — “Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that Zūm will receive over $26 million through the EPA’s first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. The funding will help Zum, the leader in modern student transportation, as it transitions its fleet of school buses to 100% electric school buses. Made possible through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the grant will also accelerate the expansion of Zum’s industry-leading AI-driven technology platform, a key tool in Zum’s effort to fully decarbonize the school bus industry and bolster the fight against climate change. ‘We commend the Administration’s tireless work to advance the acceleration of student transportation into a green era,’ said Zum Founder and CEO Ritu Narayan. ‘At Zum, our goal is to ensure that all students have access to safe, reliable and sustainable transportation, and this grant award will propel our electrification efforts in many of the districts that we serve. We are grateful and honored to be a part of this initiative.’” [School Transportation News, 1/9/24 (+)]

States & Local

Arizona

More Electric Buses Rolling Out Across Arizona School Districts — “More than $55 million will be poured into dozens of Arizona school districts that are rolling out electric buses. The Environmental Protection Agency announced this week a $1 billion national investment in the technology. More than $40 million from the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition will go to Arizona schools, with an additional $15 million through ‘third-party funding,’ according to the EPA. Arizona school districts receiving the most buses include Tempe Elementary School District with 14 new electric buses. Tucson Unified School District will add 10 more electric buses and Chinle Unified School District will get 15 clean buses. Hazel Chandler, with the advocacy group Mom’s Clean Air Force, said the buses will be game changers for students who struggle taking the bus for health concerns.” [KNXV-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

California

California Schools To Receive $88 Million To Buy Electric Buses — “California school districts will receive $88 million to purchase electric school buses as part of the U.S. Environment Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program, reported the Mercury News. LA Unified will receive nearly $20 million. The program will provide $5 billion to schools to purchase electric buses nationwide. Los Angeles Unified plans to use the funding to buy 50 electric buses to add to their fleet. The district has already committed $75 million to buy 180 electric buses. Other California districts to receive funding include Long Beach Unified, Riverside Unified, San Francisco Unified, Alameda Unified, Oakland Unified, Palm Springs Unified, Porterville Unified, Fallbrook Union High School, and Kern High School, as well as the Los Angeles County Office of Education and the Orange County Department of Education, according to the Mercury News.” [Ed Source, 1/9/24 (+)]

California Schools Get A $90 Million Boost From EPA For Clean Bus Revolution Under Biden's Plan — “The EPA is shifting gears toward cleaner air for kids in Cali, dishing out nearly $90 million to school districts for eco-friendly buses under President Biden’s Investing in America gig, according to a statement released yesterday. Five Golden State applicants have hit the jackpot, scoring big bucks to swap out stinky old school buses for 234 ritzy, clean models that don’t choke the atmosphere; Zum Services Inc. snagged over $26 million for 80 buses, while Los Angeles Unified isn’t far behind with a $19.75 million slice for 50 of their own, and let’s not forget Porterville Unified, Kern High, and San Diego Unified which got their cut of the green money pie, told the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The loot’s all part of Biden’s master plan to clear up the smog and give the climate crisis the old one-two punch, gunning to save districts some dough and nix diesel gunk that’s messing with kids’ lungs.” [Hoodline, 1/9/24 (+)]

Valley School Districts Receiving Funding For Electric School Buses — “Two Central Valley School Districts are receiving funding to transition their school buses to zero-emission and low-emission school buses. Sen. Alex Padilla announced Monday that Kern High School District and Porterville Unified School District are among the recipients of the Clean School Bus Program Awards. The big picture: Part of the 2021 infrastructure bill, the Clean School Bus Program provides $5 billion over five years to transition school buses to zero-emission and low-emission buses, effectively replacing diesel powered buses with electric buses. California was awarded $88 million to purchase electric buses across the state. Kern High School District will have 39 buses transitioned, while Porterville Unified will have 35. Los Angeles Unified School District and San Diego Unified School District will also have buses transitioned.” [The San Jose Valley Sun, 1/8/24 (+)]

Colorado

Colorado Wins Award To Receive 49 Clean Buses Through EPA's Clean School Bus Program — “Nine Colorado school districts will receive clean school buses through the Clean School Bus Program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced. The program funds electric buses, producing zero tailpipe emissions, and propane and compressed natural gas buses. The EPA said Colorado will receive funding for 49 of these clean school buses through the program’s grant competition. The buses are provided by Highland Electric, a transportation company. Highland will receive more than $12 million to purchase the 49 buses for Colorado, as well as six school buses for Utah. The Colorado school districts that will welcome the new clean buses include: Adams 12 Five Star Schools (four clean school buses) Boulder Prep Charter High School (two clean school buses) Community Leadership Academy (nine clean school buses) Denver Public Schools (20 clean school buses) Poudre School District R-1 (two clean school buses) Steamboat Springs School District-RE2 (three clean school buses) Summit School District RE-1 (four clean school buses) Thompson School District R-2j (three clean school buses) West Grand School District No. 1 (two clean school buses)” [KMGH-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

9 Colorado School Districts To Receive ‘Clean’ School Buses Through $12.2M Award — “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is awarding over $12.23 million to a transportation company that will provide 49 ‘clean’ school buses to nine Colorado school districts and another six buses for Utah school districts. This is the second round of selections for this program, which was introduced in 2022. The goal is to improve air quality and protect children. Highland Electric, which received the funding, will purchase the buses for Colorado and Utah. The funds accelerate a timeline to transition to low and zero-emission vehicles, and will help with environmental justice goals, ‘all while boosting the economy and creating good-paying jobs,’ the EPA said in a release. Advocates sue to block trail through Rocky Flats, citing ‘plutonium plume’ Colorado recipients, and the number of buses awarded, are: Adams 12 Five Star Schools: Four Boulder Prep Charter High School: Two Community Leadership Academy: Nine Denver Public Schools: 20 Poudre SD R-1: Two Steamboat Springs SD-RE2: Three Summit SD RE-1: Four Thompson SD R-2j: Three West Grand SD No. 1: Two” [KDVR-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

Connecticut

CT To Get Dozens Of Electric School Busses Thanks To EPA Grant — “Connecticut is one of the states set to receive millions of dollars to purchase electric busses for its schools thanks to federal funding through the Environmental Protection Agency’s first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition, the EPA announced in a news release Monday. The grants, which the agency said are part of its ‘ongoing commitment to protecting children and improving air quality,’ will gift over $53.3 million in total to the City of Boston and DATTCO, Inc., a New England bus charter. DATTCO, Inc. is receiving nearly $33.3 million to purchase 85 buses for five school districts in Connecticut and Massachusetts, while Boston will receive over $20 million to purchase 50 clean school buses, officials said. Twenty-five busses will go to Hartford Public Schools, which serves students in Hartford and nearly 70 surrounding towns, and the other 25 will go to the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System, data shows.” [Patch, 1/9/24 (+)]

Connecticut To Receive Funding For Clean School Bus Program — “Connecticut is one of the states that will receive funding for clean school buses. The Clean School Bus Program is a national initiative to replace diesel buses with electric ones. Connecticut Congresswoman Jahana Hayes has been an advocate for funding. The grant will assist with the purchase of 2,700 electric buses for 36 states.” [News 12 Connecticut, 1/9/24 (=)]

Georgia

New Federal Funding For Alternative Fuel School Buses Benefiting Georgia Schools And Industry — “The Environmental Protection Agency has released the second round of federal funds, a total of $1 billion, from the Clean School Bus Program to help U.S. school districts transition to alternative fuel buses. Georgia continues to benefit from the program in more ways than one. The announcement of the new funds took the form of a press-event-as-road trip for EPA Administrator Michael Regan who cut a track that began at Stone Mountain Middle School in Dekalb County and ended at the Blue Bird Manufacturing bus factory in the city of Fort Valley in central Georgia. After his tour of the Blue Bird EV bus production line Monday, Regan praised the agency’s relationship with the factory and the burgeoning EV bus marketplace. ‘What we’re doing is a public private partnership to help spur that market,’ Regan said. ‘More buses lead to more sales, leads to economic growth, job creation. Not to mention that these buses are cleaner so our children are not breathing that dirty diesel air. You have less asthma attacks, less respiratory distress.’” [Georgia Public Broadcasting, 1/9/24 (+)]

Illinois

Chicago Public Schools Receives $20M To Buy 50 Electric School Buses — “With nearly as many bus driver vacancies (586) as drivers (714), Chicago Public Schools doesn’t have the capacity to transport all of the students eligible to ride a bus to school. Companies have tried offering bonuses and pay bumps to address the shortage of drivers. Now, the district is trying a different route: adding electric buses, which would be the first buses to be purchased and owned by the district rather than contracted vendors. Chicago Public Schools was among 67 winners of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s first Clean School Bus Program. CPS will receive more than $20 million to purchase 50 new ‘clean’ school buses. ‘In addition to raising driver wages, recruitment and hiring incentives, and adding more transportation companies, the City and District pursued this grant as another way of addressing student transportation challenges,’ CPS said in a press release Monday.” [WTTW-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

Chicago Gets $20 Million Federal Grant To Buy 50 Electric School Buses — “Chicago Public Schools is planning to purchase up to 50 electric school buses to operate its own fleet with a $20 million federal grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. The additional money comes as the district continues to struggle to provide students with transportation. The district has not operated its own bus fleet for more than a decade. It contracts with outside vendors to provide bus service and has been grappling with a driver shortage since the pandemic hit. CPS announced just before winter break that it would not be adding bus service for general education students, many who attend selective or magnet schools, for the remainder of the year. They cut service to those students at the start of the school year in order to ensure students with disabilities, who are legally entitled to transportation, were being routed and weren’t riding the bus more than an hour.” [Chalkbeat Chicago, 1/9/24 (+)]

Electric Buses Coming To District 65 — “At least part of the bus fleet that serves Evanston/Skokie District 65 students will be going electric over the next several years, thanks to a federal grant for replacing diesel-fueled buses with electric ones. ‘Thanks to President Joe Biden’s historic Infrastructure Law, more than $5 billion will be distributed through the Clean School Bus Program to replace dirty diesel school buses with clean electric buses. I am very pleased to see that Chicago Public Schools and Evanston/Skokie School District 65 will benefit from the first round of grant funding. Every child deserves a healthy future,’ U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky said in a press release. ‘This investment is a critical step in the fight against climate change and will improve air quality not only in our community, but across the nation. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to support common sense measures that protect the right of all, especially our children, to a safe and habitable climate.’” [Evanston RoundTable, 1/9/24 (+)]

Peoria School District 150 To Get 15 New Electric Buses — “U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin announced $42 million in federal funding for clean school buses. The money comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s clean school bus grants. Peoria Public School District 150 was selected to get nearly $6,000,000 to buy 15 electric environmentally friendly school buses. Peoria Public Schools to receive grants to purchase 15 environmentally clean school buses Lion Electric is a company based in Joliet that is manufacturing the buses with the hope they will be more reliable and efficient. ‘Reliability of the vehicles over a traditional diesel or gasoline school bus, so the benefits are they’re much cleaner to operate, there should be some cost savings and maintenance and fuel, and then the reliability of the vehicles should be greater than that over a diesel vehicle,’ said Peoria Public Schools Director of Transportation Josh Collins.” [WMBD-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

Kansas

EPA Announces Kansas, Missouri, And Nebraska Schools To Receive Funding From Biden-Harris Administration For Electric School Buses — “The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, that schools in Nebraska and Kansas would be receiving funding from the Biden-Harris Administration through the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program Grant Competition. According to a media release from the EPA, First Student is set to receive $13,100,000 to purchase clean school buses for Missouri and Kansas. Highland CSB 1 LLC has been selected to receive $20,760,000 to purchase clean school buses for Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Schools that are set to receive the new buses are Academie Lafayette in Kansas City, Missouri, Normandy Schools Collaborative in St. Louis County, Missouri, St. Louis Public Schools in St. Louis, Missouri, Topeka Unified School District 501 in Topeka, Kansas, and Umo N Ho N Nation Public Schools for the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska Reservation in Macy, Nebraska. … EPA Region Seven Administrator Meghan A. McCollister said, ‘Children and school staff across the Heartland will breathe cleaner, less polluted air thanks to this electric school bus funding.’ McCollister continued by saying, ‘Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is investing in a healthier future for all.’” [KQTV-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

Local School District To Receive New Electric Buses Following Grant Award — “A local school district is set to receive new electric buses thanks to a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. The Environmental Protection Agency announced on Tuesday, Jan. 9, that as part of its ongoing commitment to the improvement of air quality in the U.S., schools in Kansas and Nebraska are set to receive funds through its first Clean School Bus Program’s Grant Competition. Those chosen to disburse funds include: First Student - $13.1 million Highland CSB 1 LLC - $20.76 million According to the EPA, districts chosen to receive funds for new buses are as follows: Academie Lafayette - Kansas City, Mo. Normandy Schools Collaborative - St. Louis County, Mo. St. Louis Public Schools - St. Louis, Mo. Topeka USD 501 - Topeka, Kan. Umo N Ho N Nation Public Schools - Omaha Tribe of Nebraska Reservation in Macy, Neb.” [WIBW-TV, 1/9/24]

Kentucky

Louisiana

Louisiana Illuminator | 3 Louisiana Parishes Will Tap Into EPA’s $1B For Electric And Low-Emission School Buses — “Three Louisiana parishes will receive federal money to cover the purchase of 234 electric and low-emission school buses. It’s part of a Biden administration plan announced Monday to spend $1 billion for more than 2,700 such buses across 37 states. This is a second part of funding of a $5 billion, five-year initiative from the bipartisan infrastructure law. In total, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program has awarded nearly $2 billion and funded approximately 5,000 electric and low-emission school buses nationwide. On a call with reporters, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said that many school buses ‘rely on internal combustion engines that emit toxic pollution in to the air.’ ‘Not only are these pollutants harmful to the environment, but they can also be harmful to the health and well-being of every student, every bus driver and every resident in surrounding communities,’ he continued.” [New Orleans City Business, 1/9/24 (+)]

Massachusetts

These Massachusetts Cities Are Getting More Electric School Buses From An EPA Grant — “President Joe Biden’s administration just awarded another $1 billion to school districts across the country to buy electric school buses. And some of that money from the Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘Clean School Bus Program’ grants is flowing to Massachusetts. Boston will get $20 million to buy 50 electric buses, more than doubling its current electric fleet. The city started a pilot program last year with 20 electric buses as part of the ‘Boston Green New Deal.’ The goal is to fully electrify Boston’s school buses by 2030. ‘This unprecedented federal investment will mean healthier commutes for our students and bus drivers, cleaner air in our neighborhoods, and a giant step in our transition to a greener and climate-ready City,’ Mayor Michelle Wu said in a statement. Another $33 million is going to third-party bus provider DATTCO, Inc. to buy 85 electric school buses in Massachusetts and Connecticut. According to the Sierra Club, 15 electric buses will go to Worcester, 10 will service New Bedford and another 10 will be used in Fall River.” [CBS News, 1/9/24 (+)]

More Electric School Buses Are Coming To Boston — “Pursuing an education in Boston just got a little greener. The city will purchase 50 additional electric school buses, thanks $20 million in federal funding from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program. Additionally, third-party bus provider DATTCO will receive $33 million to purchase 85 electric school buses for communities in Connecticut + Massachusetts, including Worcester, New Bedford, and Fall River. The EPA’s program extends the environmental efforts of the Boston Green New Deal, which last year introduced 20 Blue Bird Vision electric buses to Boston Public Schools. Federal funding for the Clean School Bus Program will continue through 2026, with plans to distribute a total of $5 billion throughout the US. According to the city’s School Bus Electrification Program, Boston aims to replace all diesel school buses with electric counterparts by 2030.” [BOStoday, 1/9/24 (+)]

Michigan

EPA Awards Michigan $18M In Grants For Electric School Buses — “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is awarding at least $17.8 million in grant money to Michigan to purchase 66 electric or low-emission school buses, officials said Monday. The state is among 67 applicants set to receive nearly $1 billion total through the agency’s first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition ― part of a five-year, $5 billion program approved as part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Among the districts receiving a grant are Detroit Public Schools, Lansing School District and the School District of the City of Pontiac, which each are getting about $5.9 million toward 15 buses, according to the EPA.” [The Detroit News, 1/8/24 (+)]

Michigan Schools To Get New Pollution-Free Buses Thanks To Federal Funds — “Public school districts in Detroit, Lansing, and Pontiac are getting 45 new electric school buses free of charge, due to federal funding provided by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Nearly $1 billion in federal grant funding announced this week through the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to enable dozens of public school districts across the country to purchase new fleets of low- and zero-emission vehicles, including electric buses. All told, more than $17 million was awarded in Michigan to cover the costs for the four school districts. Each district received about $5.9 million each through the agency’s Clean School Bus Grants Competition, which was funded through infrastructure law. Federal officials said the funding is designed to help protect children and improve air quality, as well as accelerate the nationwide transition away from gas to low- and zero-emission vehicles.” [The ‘Gander, 1/9/24 (+)]

VIDEO: Mid-Michigan School Districts Receive Funding From The Clean School Bus Program — “Chesaning Union, Beecher, Mayville, Unionville-Sebewing Area and AuGres Sims will receive money.” [WJRT-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

Minnesota

$68.9 Million Grant Fuels Minnesota’s Transition To Clean School Buses — “Two bus companies in Minnesota will get a share of roughly $68.9 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. First Student received $39,499,635 for the purchase of 100 buses here and in five other states. Highland CSB 1 will get $29,365,000 for 98 buses here and in four other states. The awards will help districts transition to low and zero-emission vehicles. According to the EPA, air pollution from older diesel engines is linked to asthma and other conditions that harm students’ health and can cause them to miss school. ‘We thank the EPA for these awards and for accelerating the equitable deployment of electric school buses across the U.S.,’ said First Student CEO and President John Kenning. ‘First Student looks forward to continuing our partnership with the EPA as we work to fulfill our commitment to convert 30,000 diesel school buses with clean, electric-powered school buses by 2035. As the largest student transportation provider in the country and the leading operator of electric school buses, our team has the resources and expertise to not only bring students to and from school safely, but also work with school districts, utilities, and municipalities to build the necessary charging and maintenance infrastructure for the future. We appreciate the EPA’s recognition of the turn-key nature of our proposals and are excited to continue modernizing fleets and improving the environmental health of the students and communities we serve.’” [KNSI-Radio, 1/9/24 (+)]

New Jersey

Lakewood Receives Federal Grant For Clean School Buses — “U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today announced $19 million to New Jersey through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. The awards will help school districts in Lakewood, Newark, Elizabeth, Union City and Bloomfield purchase clean school buses. By accelerating the transition to low- and zero-emission vehicles, these awards will improve air quality for children and their families, advance environmental justice, boost the economy and create good-paying jobs. The Clean School Bus Program will set school districts and surrounding communities on a path to better health outcomes. Traditionally, air pollution from older diesel engines is linked to asthma and other respiratory and cardiovascular conditions that can lead to increased school absences. Phasing out these older diesel engines, which disproportionately affects and communities of color, ensures cleaner air for students, bus drivers, school staff working near bus loading areas, and the communities through which the buses drive each day.” [Lakewood News Network, 1/9/24 (+)]

New York

Schumer Announces $700,000 In Federal Funding For Electric Vehicle Charging Stations In Oneida County — “U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer has secured $708,229 in federal funding for Oneida County, in partnership with the Herkimer-Oneida Counties Transportation Council and regional Metropolitan Planning Organization, to help install an estimated 41 electrical vehicle charging stations across the county. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program, which the senator created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act. ‘Oneida County just got a major jolt from the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to help power up new electric vehicle charging stations in the Mohawk Valley. Electric vehicles are booming in popularity, and for this industry to succeed we need to make it so charging your car is as easy and convenient as filling up a gas tank, and today’s investment will help us to do just that by bringing more charging stations to where people work and gather in Oneida County from Utica to Rome,’ Schumer said. ‘When I led the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to passage, it was investments like these that help boost the local economy and improve air quality that I had in mind. Oneida County is leading the way to build out our nation’s network of EV chargers, supercharging the fight against climate change and helping on the road to a cleaner electric future.’” [Rome Sentinel, 1/9/24 (+)]

Grants Awarded To Buy NY Electric School Buses — “Federal funds have been awarded to New York applicants transitioning to electric school buses. The $69 million grant is part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. This money will be split between the Evans-Brant Central School District in Western New York, and two New York City school bus services. Deb Peck Kelleher, deputy director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, noted despite widespread appeal, misinformation about the buses has spread. ‘I think the big one is they aren’t going to work in New York; that New York is too cold or New York is too hilly, and we’re finding that’s not the case,’ Kelleher pointed out. ‘Canada and Alaska are successfully using Zev Electric Buses.’” [Public News Service, 1/10/24 (+)]

North Carolina

NC Will Get 114 More Electric School Buses. Here's Where They'll Go — “More North Carolina school buses are going electric. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Grant Program is giving $26.7 million in federal funds to buy 114 electric school buses, Gov. Roy Cooper’s office announced Tuesday. Durham Public Schools will get 38 of those buses, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will get 27 of those buses. The buses will be distributed to lower-income, rural and/or tribal communities, according to Cooper’s office. The EPA touts electric school buses for their reduction in asthma-linked exhaust, lower emissions, reduced maintenance and fuel costs, and their ability to provide power during outages. ‘This investment is good for our students, schools, economy and planet and I appreciate the Biden Administration for investing in our communities across North Carolina,’ Cooper said in a news release.” [WRAL-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

North Carolina Public Schools To Receive Federal Funding For 114 Electric Buses — “Fifteen school districts, charter schools and tribal schools will share nearly $27 million in federal dollars to purchase 114 electric buses as part of the EPA’s Clean School Bus Grant Program, Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday. Cooper said in a statement that electric buses help protect children from harmful diesel fumes, cut carbon emissions, save money on bus maintenance and repairs, and create good jobs. ‘This investment is good for our students, schools, economy and planet and I appreciate the Biden Administration for investing in our communities across North Carolina,’ Cooper said. The state was awarded 31 buses under the Clean School Bus Program in 2022. Cooper’s administration funded 43 electric buses in 2022 through a settlement with Volkswagen. North Carolina received $92 million as part of a nationwide multi-billion-dollar penalty assessed by the EPA on the car company, which violated the Clean Air Act by cheating on millions of emissions tests.” [NC Newsline, 1/9/24 (+)]

Charter School In Bladen County To Receive Federal Funding For Three Electric School Buses — “Emereau Bladen Charter School is set to receive federal funding to buy three electric school buses, according to Governor Roy Cooper’s office. Per a news release, the state is getting $26.7 million in funding for a total of 114 electric school buses thanks to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Grant Program. ‘New funding for electric school buses means protecting the health of children from harmful diesel fumes, cutting carbon emissions, saving money on bus maintenance for tight public school budgets, and creating good jobs in North Carolina,’ said Governor Cooper. ‘This investment is good for our students, schools, economy and planet and I appreciate the Biden Administration for investing in our communities across North Carolina.’” [WECT-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

Bertie County Included In Grant For New Electric School Buses — “Governor Roy Cooper announced on Tuesday that 13 counties across the state will receive federal funding for new electric school buses, including Bertie County. The grant is part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Grant Program and will provide 114 new buses to various North Carolina school systems or charter schools. Bertie County will receive 4 of the new buses. ‘New funding for electric school buses means protecting the health of children from harmful diesel fumes, cutting carbon emissions, saving money on bus maintenance for tight public school budgets, and creating good jobs in North Carolina,’ said Governor Cooper. ‘This investment is good for our students, schools, economy and planet and I appreciate the Biden Administration for investing in our communities across North Carolina.’ North Carolina already has 31 electric buses from the program’s first round of funding in 2022 as well as an additional 43 buses in 2022 that were funded by the governor’s office through a settlement with Volkswagen.” [WITN-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

Oklahoma

Two Western Oklahoma School Districts Awarded EV Bus Grants — “Seventeen Oklahoma school districts in Oklahoma, including a couple in western Oklahoma, were among dozens nationwide that received part of more than $1 billion from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to replace fossil fuel powered buses and replace them with electric school buses. In total, Oklahoma schools received more than $24 million in funding to acquire 61 electric buses as part of the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. In a press release, it was announced that the Sentinel School District received $1,580,000 to replace four buses, and the Clinton School District received $1,185,000 to acquire three buses. The Beggs School District received the largest grant in the state that totaled $3,950,000 to acquire 10 electric buses.” [KECO-Radio, 1/9/24 (+)]

Oregon

Beaverton School District Receiving $20M Grant For New Electric Buses — “The Beaverton School District has been selected to receive a $20 million grant by the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2023 Clean School Bus Grant Program. A representative with the BSD says the grant will help fund the replacement of 50 diesel-powered school buses with zero-emission electric buses. They say the switch to zero-emission buses have many benefits including fewer negative health impacts, less noise pollution, reduction in maintenance costs, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Craig Beaver, the Administrator for Transportation, says he is grateful for the opportunity to work with EPA to help push others in the Pacific Northwest to make the switch. ‘It is an honor to be entrusted with an award of this magnitude, and we look forward to working with EPA, Portland General Electric and our school bus providers to deploy these 50 buses in the service of our students, especially those in historically underserved areas, as well as the broader community who stand to benefit from the reductions in emissions and noise pollution,’ Beaver said.” [KPTV-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

Beaverton Schools Getting 50 “Clean School Buses” Thanks To Federal Grant — “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a significant allocation of funds for Oregon and Washington to enhance their school bus fleets. A total of $51,148,500 will be granted to facilitate the purchase of 144 clean school buses across urban and rural areas in the region. The breakdown of funding and bus allocations in the Pacific Northwest is as follows: Beaverton School District in Oregon is set to receive $19,750,000 to acquire 50 buses. First Student Inc. is allocated $16,500,000 to purchase 46 buses for deployment in both Oregon and Washington. RWC Group will receive $11,148,500 to procure 33 buses, serving various locations in Washington. Walla Walla Public Schools in Washington will be granted $3,750,000 for the acquisition of 15 buses.” [KXL-Radio, 1/9/24 (+)]

Pennsylvania

3 Local Districts Awarded Federal Grant Money As Part Of Clean School Bus Program — “Nearly $1 billion in federal grant money is being used to replace old school buses with zero-emissions and clean school buses. Part of that money is coming to the Pittsburgh area, divided up into three school districts. First Student is a bus company that serves more than 1,200 school districts in the United States. According to their Head of Electrification, swapping out a majority of their regular school buses for new electric ones is a big goal for the next 11 years. ‘Our goal is to electrify 30,000 of our 46,000 school buses by the year 2035,’ said Kevin Matthews, Head of Electrification for First Student. The bus company will be getting some help toward that goal thanks to the Clean School Bus Program Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. They’re getting nearly $39.5 million – which will help buy up to 100 electric buses for four districts across Pennsylvania.” [WPXI-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

VIDEO: 3 Local Districts Awarded Federal Grant Money As Part Of Clean School Bus Program — “3 local districts awarded federal grant money as part of Clean School Bus Program.” [Kentucky Lantern, 1/9/24 (+)]

Tennessee

Southeastern Schools Land $172 Million In Clean Energy Bus Funding — “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced this week the winners of the $965 million Clean School Bus Program 2023 Grants. Thirty-five school districts in the Southeast region were among the 280 nationally that received grant funding to replace aging diesel buses with cleaner alternatives. … Dory Larsen, senior electric transportation program manager with Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, issued the following statement in response to the EPA’s announcement: ‘We are excited to congratulate the 35 Southeastern school districts on receiving EPA Clean School Bus Program grants, totaling more than $172 million for the region. Special congratulations to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the only Tribal nation awarded, who have been leading and guiding others on electric school bus adoption in the region and now will receive 15 electric buses. Also of note, Clayton County and Dekalb County Districts in Georgia and Miami-Dade County School District in Florida received funding for 50 electric buses each.” [Albany Herald, 1/9/24 (+)]

Texas

Federal Grant To Pay For Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Across North Texas — “The federal government is putting up another $15 million to help fill gaps in North Texas electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The Federal Highway Administration grant to the North Central Texas Council of Governments is to install up to 100 public EV charging ports in the 16-county Dallas-Fort Worth region, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, announced Tuesday. The five-year grant is intended to expand EV charging access in underserved areas. Another $70 million grant will be used to build up to five hydrogen fueling stations in the state, Allred announced. ‘Texas is already a leader in energy, and our infrastructure must meet the needs of emerging technologies so we can keep growing our economy and creating jobs,’ Allred said. About 1% of the 25 million vehicles registered in Texas are EVs, although those figures omit some fleet vehicles, the North Central Texas Council of Governments said.” [The Dallas Morning News, 1/9/24 (+)]

Environmental Protection Agency Secures Millions For Central Texas Electric School Buses — “Two Central Texas school districts received millions of dollars in federal funding to support purchases of electric school buses, the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett announced Monday. The EPA allocated $6.25 million to Austin Independent School District to support the purchase of 25 new e-buses. In a social media post, Doggett said AISD is the first school district statewide to promise to transition its entire school bus fleet away from diesel and toward cleaner energy. ‘The first new AISD electrics will be available this month,’ Doggett said, in part, in a Monday statement. ‘This means better air quality on the bus, at school, and in nearby neighborhoods —reducing diesel exhaust that’s especially bad for growing young lungs and brains.’” [KXAN-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

Canutillo ISD Nabs $1M EPA Grant For Eco-Friendly Buses In Clean School Bus Program — “Canutillo Independent School District will receive more than $1 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as part of its Clean School Bus Program, the EPA announced Monday. CISD will be awarded four clean buses after applying for the EPA Clean School Bus Program’s grant funds. According to the EPA, grantees will work with their EPA Regional Project Officers to finalize project plans and purchase the new buses and eligible infrastructure. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar took to X -- formerly known as Twitter -- to express her enthusiasm for the initiative, saying, ‘I am so thrilled to see Canutillo ISD selected to receive over $1 million in federal investments from the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program for new electric school buses!’” [KFOX-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

Utah

‘Healthier Future’: 2 Utah School Districts To Receive New Buses From Biden-Harris Administration — “The Biden-Harris Administration announced Tuesday that two Utah school districts will receive new buses as part of the Investing in America Agenda. Guadalupe School has been selected to receive four clean school buses and Morgan School District was selected to receive two, all as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. The buses come as part of the EPA’s commitment to protecting children and improving air quality, a press release states. The transportation company providing the buses, Highland Electric Fleets, will reportedly receive $12,226,000 to purchase the six new buses in Utah, as well as 49 new buses for school districts in Colorado.” [KTVX-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

Virginia

Senators Warner, Kaine Announce $1.4 Million To Expand Electric Vehicle Charging In Henrico — “Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have announced plans to spend $1.4 million in federal funding to build 38 publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging stations throughout Henrico County. Based on a press release from the U.S. Senate, the charging ports will be spread across facilities such as libraries, government centers, parks and recreation sites. ‘Electric vehicles have enormous potential to limit air pollution and cut carbon emissions, but we need widespread, accessible charging infrastructure so even more Virginians can make the switch,’ said the senators in a press release. ‘We’re thrilled the bipartisan infrastructure law is expanding EV charging capacity in Henrico County, and we will continue working to make it affordable and convenient for Virginians to choose electric vehicles and other clean energy solutions.’” [WRIC-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

Henrico To Get $1.5 Million In Federal Funds For Electrical Vehicles' Charging Ports — “Henrico County will get $1,452,800 in federal funding to build 38 publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging ports, the offices of U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, D-Va., announced Tuesday. The ports will be spread across seven community facilities, such as libraries, government centers, and parks and recreation sites. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program, which equalizes access to EV ports and other alternative fueling sources across America. ‘Electric vehicles have enormous potential to limit air pollution and cut carbon emissions, but we need widespread, accessible charging infrastructure so even more Virginians can make the switch,’ said the senators in a statement.” [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 1/9/24 (+)]

Federal Government To Fund Installation Of 38 EV Charging Stations Throughout Henrico — “A total of nearly $1.5 million will be used to build 38 public electric vehicle charging ports throughout Henrico County and help to plan for future EV infrastructure developments. The new EV ports will be spread out across seven community facilities, including libraries, government centers, and parks and recreation sites, helping to make EV charging more accessible across the county. The funding was made possible through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program, which is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Electric vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce air pollution and cut carbon emissions, the senators said in a joint statement, but they need to be practical for daily use. The CFI program helps to ensure that people across the country have equal access to EV ports and other alternative fueling sources.” [Henrico Citizen, 1/9/24 (+)]

Fairfax County Public Schools Receives $16M For Electric School Buses — “Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), along with another Virginia school system, was selected to receive over $16 million to purchase electric school buses. Through the Clean School Bus Program’s Grants Competition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded FCPS $16,590,000 to purchase 42 electric school buses and Newport News Public Schools with $525,000 for 15 propane buses. Montgomery County Ride On employees help reunite lost boy with family ‘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,’ EPA Administrator Michael Regan, stated in a news release. ‘I’ve sat next to students on their very first clean school bus ride and their excitement reflects the power of good policy. ’” [WDCW-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

FCPS Wins $16M Federal Grant To Buy More Electric School Buses — “Fairfax County Public Schools will more than double the number of electric buses in its fleet, thanks to a new federal grant. The local school system has been awarded $16.59 million as a winner of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s inaugural Clean School Bus program grants competition. The other winner announced yesterday (Monday) was also from Virginia: Newport News Public Schools will receive $525,000. The funds will enable FCPS to purchase 42 electric school buses. According to its website, the district currently has eight electric buses in a fleet with 1,625 buses, but it was slated to add another 10 in 2022. FCPS didn’t respond by press time when asked to confirm whether those buses are now operating.” [FFX Now, 1/9/24 (+)]

More Electric School Buses Funded For Fairfax County Schools — “Fairfax County Public Schools’ electric bus program got a boost with new federal funding. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced FCPS is one of two recipients in Virginia for the EPA’s first Clean School Bus Program’s Grants Competition. FCPS received $16.59 million to buy 42 electric school buses, while Newport News Public Schools received $525,000 to buy 15 propane school buses. The EPA’s grant program, created under President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is allocating $5 billion of funding to fund clean school buses that improve air quality for students and reduce emissions. The program provides funding for electric buses, compressed natural gas and propane buses that have lower tailpipe emissions than older diesel buses.” [Patch, 1/9/24 (+)]

Washington

Sen. Murray Announces Funding For Clean School Buses — “Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced on Monday that millions of dollars is going to school districts across Washington to replace diesel-powered school buses with low- and zero-emission models, according to a press release. Sen. Murray’s Clean School Bus Act, as a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is the funding source, providing $5 billion for clean school buses across the nation. Toppenish, the Wapato School District and Walla Walla Public Schools are each getting a part of the funding, with Toppenish and Wapato being prioritized. Toppenish is receiving three buses, Wapato is getting one and Walla Walla is getting 15. Both Toppenish and Wapato are also receiving $11,148,500 each while Walla Walla is getting $3,750,000. ‘Getting more clean school buses on our roads is a win for students, our planet, and our economy—and that’s exactly what I had in mind when I created this program,’ said Sen. Murray. ‘Out of every 20 school buses in our country, 19 still use diesel fuel, and that means far too many kids and drivers are breathing in polluted air every time they board an old diesel school bus.’” [NonStop Local, 1/8/24 (+)]

Washington, D.C.

D.C.-Area School Districts Among Electric Bus Pioneers — “Every day in neighborhoods across America, some 25 million small people with sensitive, developing lungs are ferried from home to school and back in big, noisy, heavily polluting vehicles: diesel school buses. The interior of these buses can have 4 times the level of toxic fumes compared to the inside of a typical passenger car. To remedy this unhealthy situation, and reduce planet-warming greenhouse gases, the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $5 billion to help school districts buy new electric school buses that have zero tailpipe emissions. The two largest school districts in the D.C. region have been selected in the latest round of funding: Fairfax County will receive $16.6 million to buy 42 new electric buses, while Montgomery County will add 50 new electric buses to its fleet using $4.7 million in grant money.” [DCist, 1/9/24 (+)]

West Virginia

47 New Electric And Low-Emission School Buses For WV Secured By Manchin — “On January 9, 2024, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced West Virginia, among 37 other states, will be receiving funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with West Virginia’s funding being used for GreenPower of West Virginia. The funding, totaling $18,560,000, was made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and plans to support the Clean Bus Program. Cabell, Clay, Calhoun, Kanawha, Mineral, Monogalia, Harrison, Grant and Lewis counties will benefit from the funding and will be receiving portions of the $18,560,000 to be used in the creation and distribution of 47 new electric or low-emission school buses. According to a tweet made by GreenPower Motor, a significant portion of the school buses being crafted for the nation will be created at the GreenPowerBus facility in West Virginia. ‘I am pleased that the EPA is investing over $18 million in Clean School Bus Awards across our great state. These new buses, built in West Virginia, will offer improved transportation for young West Virginians travelling to and from school every day. Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver critical investments for the Mountain State, and I will keep working with the EPA to ensure that federal funding enhances the well-being of communities across West Virginia for generations to come.’” [WVNS-TV, 1/9/24 (+)]

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