The Biden-Harris Administration has announced nearly $21.5 million in rebates for clean school buses across Connecticut, part of the Investing in America agenda. This funding is allocated through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition.
The rebates will support the purchase of over 90 clean school buses in six Connecticut school districts. The initiative aims to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and replace older diesel-fueled school buses, which have been linked to health issues such as asthma.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, NAACP President Derrick Johnson, and U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson joined students and community members in Jackson, Mississippi, to announce the program's impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving money for schools, and protecting children's health.
"President Biden believes every child deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy life and breathe clean air," said EPA Administrator Regan. "With today's latest round of funding, we are transforming the nation's school bus fleet to better protect our most precious cargo—our kids."
EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash highlighted that "Ninety clean school buses mean 90 fewer tailpipes blowing diesel exhaust and particulate matter into our air." He described it as a multifaceted win for cleaner air, healthier environments, and cost savings for schools.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal expressed his enthusiasm for Connecticut's selection: "This incredible investment will save school districts money, improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy noted that replacing existing buses with zero-emission models will create a cleaner environment for years to come.
U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro emphasized the commitment to safeguarding student health and combatting climate change: "By reducing air pollution through bus modernization, we tackle the climate crisis and improve public health."
U.S. Representative John B. Larson stated that these funds would help reduce emissions in Connecticut while ensuring children breathe cleaner air on their way to school.
U.S. Representative Jim Himes expressed satisfaction with nearly $12 million being awarded to Bridgeport, Fairfield, and Ridgefield: "This federal funding will replace existing gas-guzzling school buses with zero-emission vehicles."
The selected Connecticut school districts include:
- Ridgefield School District: $1,055,000 for seven clean buses
- Fairfield School District: $2 million for ten clean buses
- Branford School District: $5 million for 25 clean buses
- Bridgeport School District: $8.625 million for 25 clean buses
- West Hartford School District: $4.4 million for 22 clean buses
- East Hartford School District: $400,000 for two clean buses
In September 2023, the EPA announced at least $500 million available for its 2023 Clean School Bus rebates program but doubled this amount due to high demand from various communities.
This third round of funding builds on previous investments totaling almost $2 billion via earlier rounds of Clean School Bus Program grants aimed at improving air quality around schools and reducing greenhouse gas pollution.
Today's selections will fund projects across 47 states plus Washington D.C., several federally recognized Tribes, and U.S territories—with about 45 percent of projects prioritized in low-income or rural communities receiving approximately 67 percent of total funding under President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative.
The EPA continues reviewing applications and may make additional awards from this announcement while also planning further rounds of funding through other programs such as the upcoming Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program with up to $932 million available until July 25th.
About The Clean School Bus Program:
Created by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law providing an unprecedented $5 billion fund aimed at transforming national fleets toward zero-emission standards thereby reducing harmful pollutants associated primarily within communities disproportionately affected historically; thus ensuring healthier environments alongside significant cost savings ultimately aiding overall educational infrastructure efficiency improvements nationwide moving forward into future generations sustainably so envisioned therein!
For more information visit [CleanSchoolBusProgram](https://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus/resources-engage-your-community).
