The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the allocation of $10,360,000 to Oklahoma 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.
Granite and Timberlake will each receive $690,000; Pawhuska will get $1,035,000; Sequoyah will obtain $95,000; Colcord will be allocated $1,380,000; Dale will receive $1,745,000; Coweta will get $600,000; Kiamichi Tech Center Atoka will receive $1,035,000; Hilldale and Shawnee will each get $1,420,000; Broken Arrow and Broken Bow will each receive $125,000. The total state funding aims to replace older diesel-fueled school buses with 44 new clean school buses.
These rebates are intended to help districts acquire over 3,400 clean school buses nationwide—92% of which are electric—to promote zero-emission vehicles and improve air quality around schools. To date under this program's various grants and rebates initiatives since its inception in 2022-23 fiscal years , nearly $3 billion has been awarded to fund approximately 8,500 bus replacements across more than 1,000 schools.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan stated that President Biden's agenda aims to ensure every child can lead a healthy life with access to clean air. “With today’s latest round of funding,” Regan said during an announcement event in Jackson Mississippi alongside NAACP President Derrick Johnson and U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson among others,“we are transforming the nation’s school bus fleet...saving school districts money...and bolstering American manufacturing all at the same time.”
Region 6 Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance highlighted the benefits for children in Oklahoma: “Replacing diesel fueled buses with clean school buses reduces harmful emissions and improves air quality in communities throughout the nation.”
In September 2023,the EPA had announced at least$500 million available for its Clean School Bus rebates program for that year.The application period closed in February 2024,and due to high demand from various communities including low-income areas,the EPA doubled its initial amount of available funding to nearly$1 billion.This third round builds on previous investments totaling almost$2 billion through prior rounds' grants/rebates aimed at improving air quality,reducing greenhouse gas pollution,and fostering development of future-clean vehicles.
Funds from this initiative cover districts across47 states plus Washington D.C.,several federally recognized Tribes,and U.S territories.Prioritized districts include those within low-income,rural,and Tribal communities comprising approximately45 percent selected projects receiving about67 percent total funds.Advancing President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative,it targets delivering40 percent overall benefits certain federal investments towards disadvantaged communities marginalized underserved overburdened by pollution.The EPA partners other federal agencies ensuring effective implementation robust technical assistance provided via Joint Office Energy TransportationExit agency website among others reviewing applications possibly making additional awards meeting requirements updating CSB Awards webpage accordingly selecting further rounds/funding programs e.g.,current applications open until July25th next cycle heavy-duty vehicle grants worth up-to$932million anticipated70percent covering zero-emission Class6/7school-buses.
About Clean School Bus Program:
Created under President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law providing unprecedented$5-billion transforming national fleet targeting zero tailpipe emissions via electric propane compressed natural gas(CNG)buses reducing greenhouse gases saving district costs cleaner environments healthier students/staff particularly color tribal areas linked asthma other conditions phasing out old diesel engines ensuring cleaner surroundings addressing transportation sector climate crisis impact saving resources upgrading fleets new models needed priorities educational settings.
For full list awards visit:https://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus/clean-school-bus-program-awards
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