The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the allocation of $11,030,000 to Arkansas schools for the purchase of clean school buses. This funding is part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition, supported by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
In Arkansas, the Quitman school district will receive $820,000, Little Rock school district $8,625,000, Batesville school district $365,000, and Farmington school district $1,220,000. These funds will be used to acquire a total of 36 new clean school buses to replace older diesel-fueled models. The initiative aims to mitigate health risks associated with diesel emissions and improve air quality around schools and communities.
Nationwide, this round of rebates will help purchase over 3,400 clean school buses—92% of which are electric—thereby accelerating the transition to zero-emission vehicles. To date, the EPA has awarded nearly $3 billion through various grant and rebate opportunities under this program to fund approximately 8,500 bus replacements across more than 1,000 schools.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan highlighted the multifaceted benefits of this investment during an announcement event in Jackson, Mississippi. “President Biden believes every child deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy life and breathe clean air,” said 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.”
Region 6 Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance also emphasized the positive impact on underserved areas: “Today’s announcement is good news for children in Arkansas... Replacing diesel-fueled buses with clean school buses reduces harmful emissions and improves air quality in communities throughout the nation.”
The EPA had initially announced at least $500 million for its 2023 Clean School Bus rebates but doubled this amount due to high demand from various districts nationwide. This third round builds on previous investments totaling almost $2 billion via prior Clean School Bus Program rebates and grants.
Funding from this program extends across 47 states and Washington D.C., as well as several federally recognized Tribes and U.S. territories. Prioritized projects include those in low-income rural areas and Tribal communities which constitute about 45 percent of selected projects receiving approximately 67 percent of total funding.
The EPA continues reviewing applications and may announce additional awards if they meet program requirements. Further selections will be made through subsequent rounds of funding programs such as the ongoing Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program.
The Clean School Bus Program was established under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law providing $5 billion for transforming America's fleet of school buses into cleaner alternatives like electric or lower-emission propane and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.
This program aims not only at reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also at saving costs for school districts while ensuring healthier environments for students especially those from marginalized communities disproportionately affected by pollution.
For further details on award recipients visit: https://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus/clean-school-bus-program-awards
