The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Fort Worth Independent School District will receive $6,167,108 through EPA’s first Clean School Bus Grant Competition. This funding, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will facilitate the purchase of 15 clean school buses.
EPA Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance joined Rep. Marc Veasey, Superintendent Dr. Angélica Ramsey, district leaders, and community members in Fort Worth to celebrate the award and discuss its potential benefits for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving children's health.
“Today’s $6 million grant delivers a tremendous investment in environmental justice and clean energy by replacing older diesel engines, which disproportionately expose communities of color to harmful pollution, with clean school buses,” said Region 6 Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “Thanks to President Biden’s historic investments in America, fewer children will face asthma risks linked to air pollution as EPA continues to work every single day to create cleaner and healthier communities.”
“This investment will work towards making our air cleaner and better our children's futures here in Fort Worth," said Rep. Marc Veasey (TX-33). "In 2021, I was proud to vote for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that made this accomplishment possible by ensuring our communities have the tools for zero-emissions electric buses."
"We are thrilled that Fort Worth ISD has been awarded a grant to invest in electric school buses for our district,” said Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Dr. Angelica Ramsey. “Fort Worth ISD is proud to be among the school districts in Texas to receive a grant for electric buses. These electric buses will provide our students with a cleaner, quieter, and more efficient mode of transportation, enhancing their daily school commute. By integrating electric buses into our fleet, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also directly benefiting our students' health and well-being."
In January 2024, the EPA announced Fort Worth ISD’s selection among the Notice of Funding Opportunity’s top-tier Texas applicants.
To date under the program's various funding opportunities, the EPA has awarded nearly $3 billion for approximately 8,500 school bus replacements at over 1,000 schools nationwide.
The Clean School Bus Program aims to improve air quality by transitioning from older diesel engines linked to asthma and other health conditions towards low- or zero-emission vehicles. The initiative aligns with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which targets delivering 40% of federal investment benefits to disadvantaged communities burdened by pollution.
The program prioritizes high-needs districts including those with over 20% student poverty rates as well as rural and Tribal districts.
About the Clean School Bus Program:
Created under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with an unprecedented $5 billion fund allocation aimed at transforming America's fleet of school buses towards cleaner alternatives like electric vehicles which produce zero tailpipe emissions along with propane and compressed natural gas (CNG) options known for lower emissions compared to older diesel models.
For more information on eligibility criteria or future funding rounds visit [Clean School Bus Program website](https://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus).
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