Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
On May 29, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition. Funded by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, approximately 530 school districts across nearly every state, Washington, D.C., and several Tribes and U.S. territories will receive nearly $900 million to replace older diesel-fueled school buses. These buses have been linked to asthma and other health conditions affecting students and surrounding communities.
The rebates will assist school districts in purchasing over 3,400 clean school buses—92% of which will be electric—to transition to zero-emission vehicles and improve air quality around schools and communities. To date, the EPA has awarded almost $3 billion through multiple grant and rebate funding opportunities to fund approximately 8,500 school bus replacements at over 1,000 schools.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, and U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson will join schoolchildren, district leaders, and community members in Jackson, Mississippi to announce the program's benefits. The initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save schools money, protect children’s health—especially in pollution-burdened communities—and drive demand for American-made batteries and vehicles.
“President Biden believes every child deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy life and breathe clean air,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. 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—saving school districts money, improving air quality, and bolstering American manufacturing all at the same time.”
Congressman Bennie G. Thompson expressed gratitude for the administration's efforts: “This initiative ensures that children have a cleaner, safer, and more efficient means of school transportation... By making meaningful progress and offering valuable opportunities for our students, we are paving the way toward stronger student success.”
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 high demand from various districts nationwide. Consequently, the EPA doubled available funding to nearly $1 billion.
This third round of funding builds on previous investments of almost $2 billion via the Clean School Bus Program’s 2022 Rebates and 2023 Grants. It aims to further improve air quality around schools while reducing greenhouse gas pollution contributing to climate change.
Today's selections include funds for school districts in 47 states plus Washington D.C., several federally recognized Tribes, and U.S. territories. Approximately 45 percent of selected projects are from low-income, rural or Tribal communities receiving about 67 percent of total funding. This aligns with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative aiming to deliver significant federal investment benefits to disadvantaged communities.
The EPA is partnering with other federal agencies through the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to provide technical assistance ensuring effective implementation of these programs.
Additional awards may be made as applications continue being reviewed against program requirements. Further selections will be updated on the CSB Awards webpage as finalized.
The EPA is also accepting applications for its 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program until July 25, offering up to $932 million in grants primarily for new zero-emission Class 6 or 7 school buses.
About the Clean School Bus Program:
Created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with an unprecedented $5 billion funding allocation, this program aims to transform America's fleet of school buses by promoting electric models that produce zero tailpipe emissions along with propane and compressed natural gas (CNG) options that offer lower emissions compared to older diesel engines.
By reducing diesel air pollution linked to asthma among students—particularly in communities of color—the program seeks cleaner air for students as well as bus drivers and staff working near bus loading areas daily.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from these bus replacements also addresses transportation sector contributions toward climate change while saving costs for districts upgrading their fleets.
View the full list of Clean School Bus Program awards on [EPA's website].
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