The Biden-Harris administration announced the availability of at least $400 million in grants for cleaner school buses across the country, in order to reduce harmful pollution and protect children’s health. Funding comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program.
“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. With new grant funding available, we will accelerate our work to transition to zero- and low-emission school buses further and faster than ever before,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.
The $400 million grant opportunity through the Clean School Bus Program will fund CNG, LPG, and electric buses that will produce either zero or low tailpipe emissions compared to their older diesel predecessors.
These emission reductions will result in cleaner air for students riding the buses, drivers, school staff working near the bus loading areas, and the communities the buses drive through each day. Beyond the community, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from these bus replacement projects will help to address the outsized role of the transportation sector on climate change.
The grants are made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides an unprecedented $5 billion to transform the nation’s fleet of school buses.
Eligible applicants for this funding opportunity are (1) state and local governmental entities that provide bus service; (2) public charter school districts, (3) Indian tribes, tribal organizations, or tribally-controlled schools, (4) nonprofit school transportation associations, and (5) eligible contractors (including OEMs, dealers, school bus service providers, and private bus fleets).
Photo: NGVAmerica
Source: EPA
