Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition. In Oregon, ten school districts will receive over $22.6 million to replace 96 older school buses with new electric or propane buses. This initiative aims to accelerate the 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.”
Senator Jeff Merkley emphasized the program's importance: “Every child—regardless of the color of their skin, their zip code, or how much money their parents make—should be able to travel to and from school without having to be exposed to toxins and dangerous air pollution that drives asthma and other diseases. These continued historic investments will help support several Oregon school districts to purchase electric school buses to keep the air cleaner for our kids and save school districts money. I’ll keep fighting for the investments and legislation we need to upgrade school bus fleets around Oregon.”
The following Oregon school districts have been selected for rebate funding:
- Eugene School District: $100,000 for four propane buses
- Gresham-Barlow School District: $2,020,000 for ten electric buses
- North Marion School District: $910,000 for five electric buses
- Elkton School District: $2,070,000 for six electric buses
- Ashland School District: $200,000 for one electric bus
- Pendleton School District: $4,165,000 for thirteen electric buses
- McMinnville School District: $2,000,000 for ten electric buses
- North Douglas School District: $1,380,000 for four electric buses
- La Grande School District: $2,020,000 for ten electric buses
- Hood River County School District: $400,000 for two electric buses
Additionally:
- Morrow School District will receive $2.8 million,
- Neah-Kah-Nie School District will receive approximately $1.725 million,
- Yoncalla School District will receive about $1 million,
- Umatilla School District will get roughly $1.6 million,
- Corbett School District will secure around $200 thousand.
In September 2023, EPA announced at least $500 million available in rebates under this program; due to overwhelming demand—including from low-income communities and Tribal nations—the funding was doubled to nearly $1 billion.
This third round builds on nearly a previous investment of almost $2 billion through 2022 Rebates and 2023 Grants aimed at improving air quality around schools while reducing greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change.
Today's selections cover funds distributed across 47 states including federally recognized Tribes. Approximately 45 percent of prioritized projects are in low-income rural or Tribal communities receiving about 67 percent of total funding.
EPA plans additional funding rounds this year with ongoing application reviews potentially leading more awards if requirements are met.
School districts not selected this time are encouraged by EPA officials to participate in open programs like the current Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program accepting applications until July-end offering close-to-a-billion dollars grant focusing largely (70%) towards new zero-emission Class 6/7-school-buses initiatives
For further details visit epa.gov/cleanschoolbus/clean-school-bus-program-awards
