BOISE (May 29, 2024) – The Biden-Harris Administration announced the recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition today. In Idaho, Boise Independent School District will receive $2,760,000 in rebate funding to purchase eight electric school buses, while Horseshoe Bend School District will receive $400,000 to purchase two electric school buses. This funding aims to facilitate Idaho's transition to zero-emission vehicles and replace older diesel school buses linked to asthma and other health conditions.
“EPA’s Clean School Bus Program is a breath of fresh air for our students, schools and communities,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “Diesel pollution is linked to asthma and other conditions that harm students’ health, with impacts felt disproportionately in communities of color and Tribal communities. Clean School Bus grants provide much-needed resources for school districts to upgrade aging fleets, replacing diesel buses with new zero-emission and clean school buses. Pulling older diesel buses off the road will ensure cleaner air for students, bus drivers, and school staff.”
In September 2023, the EPA announced at least $500 million for its 2023 Clean School Bus rebates. The application period closed in February 2024 with a significant response from school districts nationwide seeking electric and clean school buses. Due to overwhelming demand, including from low-income communities and Tribal nations, the EPA doubled the available funding to nearly $1 billion.
This third round of funding builds on an almost $2 billion investment through the 2022 Rebates and 2023 Grants aimed at improving air quality around schools, reducing greenhouse gas pollution contributing to climate change, and advancing America's leadership in developing future clean vehicles.
The selections announced today will provide funds to school districts in 47 states and several federally recognized Tribes. Prioritized districts in low-income, rural, and Tribal communities constitute approximately 45 percent of selected projects and will receive about 67 percent of total funding.
The EPA plans to make more funds available for clean school buses this year. A small subset of tentatively selected applicants remains under review; they will be notified if their applications meet all program requirements. As additional selections are finalized, updates will be posted on the CSB webpage.
Further selections through additional rounds of funding are anticipated. For instance, applications for the 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program are open until July 25 – offering nearly $1 billion in grant funding with approximately 70% earmarked for new zero-emission Class 6 or 7 school buses. The EPA encourages districts not selected for the 2023 CSB Rebate Program – as well as those that did not apply – to participate in current programs and future CSB funding rounds.
View the full list of Clean School Bus Program awards here: epa.gov/cleanschoolbus/clean-school-bus-program-awards.
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