Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the selection of American Samoa’s Department of Education for a $2,555,000 Clean School Bus Program rebate. This funding, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will facilitate the purchase of seven electric school buses for American Samoa.
“EPA is proud to take another step in advancing the rollout of electric school buses in American Samoa, helping create a future where our children can breathe cleaner air,” said EPA’s Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “I’ve seen firsthand the advantages of these electric buses, with the absence of noxious diesel emissions benefiting students, school staff, and neighboring communities. Thanks to these investments, more electric school buses will be on the road in American Samoa.”
Representative Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen expressed gratitude for federal support: “A long-term priority of mine in Congress has been achieving proportional equality with the states in federal funding, so we appreciate this support. Thank you to Administrator Regan and our Region 9 Administrator Martha Guzman, and congratulations to our hardworking local Department of Education. The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I supported, has directed millions in new funds to American Samoa in various ways each year since it was passed.”
Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga highlighted the environmental significance: “American Samoa knows firsthand the effects of climate change. We face rising sea levels and increasingly powerful storms on a daily basis. While we cannot change the course alone, we can do what we can. To further our environmental efforts, American Samoa sought and will receive seven electric school buses thanks to a $2.5 million allocation from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law under the 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate program."
In September 2023, the EPA announced at least $500 million in available funding nationwide for its 2023 Clean School Bus rebates but doubled this amount due to high demand from various districts across low-income communities and U.S territories.
These rebates aim to help school districts nationwide purchase over 3,400 clean school buses—92% of which will be electric—to accelerate zero-emission vehicle adoption and improve air quality around schools and communities.
The selections include funds for districts across 47 states as well as Washington D.C., several federally recognized Tribes, and U.S territories like American Samoa. Notably, approximately 45 percent of these projects are based in low-income rural areas or Tribal communities that will receive nearly 67 percent of total funding.
Future rounds will continue providing similar opportunities through programs such as the 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program offering up to $932 million for new zero-emission Class 6 or 7 school buses.
Created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with an allocation totaling $5 billion aimed at transforming national fleets towards lower emission alternatives including propane & compressed natural gas options alongside all-electric models producing zero tailpipe emissions.
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