The funding will support over 2,700 buses nationally, 95 percent of which will be electric. EPA will distribute the awards to selectees in 37 states, in which 86 percent of the projects selected for funding will be prioritised school districts in low-income, rural, tribal and/or Justice40 communities.
“We are excited to congratulate the 35 Southeastern school districts on receiving EPA Clean School Bus Program grants, totaling over $172 million for the region” said Dory Larsen, Senior Electric Transportation Program Manager with Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, responding to the EPA announcement.
“Special congratulations to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the only Tribal nation awarded, who have been leading and guiding others on electric school bus adoption in the region and now will receive 15 electric buses. Also of note, Clayton County and Dekalb County Districts in Georgia and Miami-Dade County School District in Florida received funding for 50 electric buses each.
"School districts across the Southeast are committed to electric, zero-emission solutions that save thousands of dollars in fueling and maintenance costs, provide the best performance, and improve air quality for our students and communities. Additionally, we’re pleased that nationally over 85% of the funding is being awarded to school districts in rural and low-income communities nationwide.”
Created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021, the Clean School Bus Program is investing $5 billion through 2026 to replace diesel school buses with cleaner alternatives. EPA initially offered $400 million in April 2023 but awarded $965 million after receiving nearly $2 billion in applications with this first competitive grant round. This proceeds the nearly $900 million in lottery-based rebates during the program’s inaugural year in 2022.
EPA currently has a rebate round of CSBP funding open; unlike competitive grants, rebates are lottery-based and are easier to apply for. School districts and other eligible parties have until January 31, 2024, to submit an application for $500 million in rebate funding.
The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is a member of the Alliance for Electric School Buses, a national coalition of not-for-profit organisations committed to an equitable electrification of the nation’s school bus fleet.
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