(AGENPARL) – lun 08 gennaio 2024 Issued: Jan 8, 2024 (1:20pm EST)
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Biden-Harris Administration announces nearly $69 million in awards for clean
school buses across New York as part of Investing in America Agenda
Contact Information:
NEW YORK (Jan. 8, 2024) – As part of its ongoing commitment to protecting
children and improving air quality, today, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency announced the selection of three New York-based applicants to receive
nearly $69 million through EPA’s first Clean School Bus Program Grants
Competition. The awards, which are made possible through President Biden’s
Investing in America agenda, will help selectees purchase clean school buses
in New York City’s 32 geographic districts, which includes all five boroughs,
and Evans-Brant Central School District in western New York, which includes
Angola, Brant and Derby. By accelerating the transition to low- and
zero-emission vehicles, these awards will improve air quality for children and
their families and advance environmental justice, all while boosting the
economy and creating good-paying jobs.
J.P. Bus and Truck Repair Ltd. has been selected to receive over $31.5 million
to purchase 80 clean school buses and 86 bus chargers.
New York City School Bus Umbrella Services (NYCSBUS) has been selected to
receive $29.5 million to purchase 100 clean school buses and 100 bus
chargers.
Evans-Brant Central School District, also known as Lake Shore Central School
District, has been selected to receive $7.9 million to purchase 20 clean
school buses and 20 bus chargers.
“Today we’re once again accelerating the transition to electric and
low-emission school buses in America, helping to secure a healthier future
where all our children can breathe cleaner air,” said EPA Administrator
Michael S. Regan. “I’ve sat next to students on their very first clean
school bus ride and their excitement reflects the power of good
policy. Thanks to President Biden’s historic investments in America,
thousands more school buses will hit the road in school districts across the
country, saving school districts money and improving air quality at the same
time.” 
“Electric and low-emission school buses are just one important way forward
to a clean and just transition,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F.
Garcia. “The Clean School Bus Grants Program will create a pathway for
entire school districts in our region to upgrade their bus fleets and in turn,
reduce air pollution and protect public health.”
“Beep Beep – get ready New York because nearly $69 million has just arrived
to purchase 200 new clean electric school buses and chargers to fight climate
change and give our students and communities cleaner air on the way to school
every day. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, as the wheels
of the new, electric school buses go round and round, carbon emissions and
pollution are going to keep going down and down across New York State,” said
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer. “I led the Bipartisan
Infrastructure & Jobs Law to passage so communities across the state will have
the federal funding needed to combat climate change, and now, for the second
year in a row, this major investment will set the wheels in motion to put new
electric school buses on New York’s roads, curbing carbon emissions,
decreasing pollution and improving the air quality for students across
America. I am proud to deliver this tremendous environmental justice
investment that will carry our students to a brighter future, emissions
free.” 
“To protect our children and environment, we must ensure New York’s
students have access to reliable and clean transportation. This investment in
clean and modern technology will reduce pollution throughout New York State,
protecting the health of our communities and creating new economic
opportunities,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “I am thrilled to
announce this federal funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure
Law that will go toward supporting zero and low-emission school buses in New
York State. This investment will create a cleaner commute for the countless
students who rely on buses every day to get to school, and I will continue to
fight for a healthier, more sustainable future for all.” 
“This nearly $69 million for clean school buses throughout New York is great
news for our communities and I’m excited that it will help ensure a cleaner
and healthier environment for students and families as well as for the
neighborhoods these buses serve,” said U.S. Representative Grace Meng
(NY-06). “I am thrilled that school districts in my congressional district
are included and will benefit greatly from improved air quality. As New
York’s representative on the Regional Leadership Council – which works to
promote and implement legislation signed by President Biden – I’m so glad
that Queens and other parts of our state continue to benefit from the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that I helped pass in Congress.”
“Every child deserves to grow up with clean air and a healthy environment.
Transitioning to electric and low-emission school buses through the Clean
School Bus Program Grants Competition will help make this vision a reality for
many students in New York City while creating jobs and stimulating the economy
in our communities,” said U.S. Representative Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07).
“I was proud to support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which made the
Clean Bus Program possible and will benefit students throughout my district. I
congratulate today’s selectees and applaud the Biden administration for
their work to deliver cleaner air and lower emissions to school districts in
New York and across the country.” 
“Last Congress, Congress worked diligently alongside President Biden to pass
the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Act, which created historic investments
to reinvigorate our economy by focusing on good paying union jobs,
transforming how we address the climate crisis, and emphasizing a more
equitable future for all Americans. Today, we see those efforts come to
fruition,” said U.S. Representative Yvette Clarke (NY-09). “The
administration’s announcement of nearly $1 billion to help 280 school
districts serving over 7 million students nationwide is a testament to what we
can accomplish when we commit ourselves to investing in climate justice, our
children, and their health and education. I am proud to have helped deliver
this transformational investment that looks towards a more just and equitable
future for everyone.”
“Transitioning NYC school buses to electric and low-emission vehicles is
healthier for our kids, our city, and the planet. Particularly in the Bronx,
which has some of the highest childhood asthma rates in the country, this
funding will improve air quality not only for students, but also for
communities across the borough,” said U.S. Representative Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14). “We applaud the Biden administration’s commitment
to environmental justice and public health with this significant award for our
city.”
“Today’s announcement of nearly $69 million in awards for clean school buses
across New York is a significant milestone in our collective effort to protect
our children and enhance air quality,” said U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres
(NY-15). “As we accelerate the transition to low- and zero-emission vehicles
nationwide, we must prioritize both improving air quality and advancing
environmental justice. My constituents in the Bronx are some of the hardest
hit by air pollution and it is my duty as their representative to fight for
initiatives like this to help mitigate the damage. I am so thankful to the EPA
and President Biden for their steadfast devotion to building a cleaner,
healthier future for our country. Together, we are making strides towards a
more sustainable and equitable society and ensuring that the well-being of our
children and the health of our environment remain top priorities in the
Investing in America agenda.”
“J.P. Bus & Truck Repair Ltd. is honored to be selected by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency under the 2023 Clean School Bus Grant Program
in delivering 80 electric zero emission buses and being a part of upgrading
the electric vehicle school bus infrastructure to New York City. Together with
Consolidated Bus Transit and NYC Department of Education, Bird Bus will remove
harmful pollutants from the streets of NYC while providing safe, reliable and
affordable transportation in the school districts that need the buses the
most,” said Robert Reichenbach, president of Bird Bus Sales. “We have gone
beyond the bus and have demonstrated a plan for success as it pertains to
operations, training, infrastructure and community engagement. We remain
motivated in delivering 100 percent electric zero emission school buses as we
approach the legislative New York State mandate for EV buses in 2027, and we
look forward to continued success together in partnership with the U.S.
EPA.”
“All 1,800 people who work at NYCSBUS and the 10,000 kids we transport are
excited to be selected to help lead the way to cleaner, healthier, more
efficient school busing,” said Chief Executive Officer Matt Berlin. “We
are happy to not only quickly transition our fleet to all electric, we’re
looking forward to helping our colleagues across the country make their
transition as well.”
“These grants represent a very, very long road in the making,” said Perry
Oddi, transportation supervisor at Lake Shore Central School District.
“The most important thing is that we now have a growing fleet of ZERO
emission vehicles available for our school-community. By eliminating diesel
exhaust emissions, we reduce air pollution and ground level ozone, as well as
air quality-related illnesses and asthma. As we decrease our carbon
footprint, we’re helping to preserve the health and safety of our
students and staff.”
“By eliminating diesel fuel emissions, electric buses provide public and
environmental health benefits, and they offer school districts operational
savings,” said Superintendent Dan Pacos. “While the upfront cost of
an electric school bus is higher than a diesel, the electric buses cut fuel
and maintenance costs in half over the vehicle’s lifetime.” With each
electric bus, Lake Shore anticipates saving $15,000 annually in fuel
and maintenance costs, Pacos added.  
“We credit Sen. Schumer with making it possible for Lake Shore to make these
advances in carbon emission reduction,” continued Pacos.
The Clean School Bus Program will set school districts and their surrounding
communities on a path to better health outcomes. Traditionally, air pollution
from older diesel engines is linked to asthma and other respiratory and
cardiovascular conditions that can be linked to increased school absences.
Phasing out these older diesel engines, which disproportionately affect
communities of color and Tribal communities, ensures cleaner air for students,
bus drivers, school staff working near bus loading areas, and the communities
through which the buses drive each day.
Proactive and ongoing communication with key stakeholders, like school boards
and local utilities, is critical to successful bus and infrastructure
deployment. To ensure the successful implementation of the selected projects
funding electric buses and charging infrastructure, EPA has created a Utility
Partnership Template which encourages early and robust engagement between the
selectee and their utility company.
Grantees will work with their EPA Regional Project Officers to finalize
project plans and purchase their awarded new buses and eligible
infrastructure. As grants are finalized, total amounts awarded and number of
buses may be adjusted. EPA is also partnering with the Joint Office of Energy
and Transportation to provide grantees with robust technical assistance to
ensure effective implementation. All selectees must submit a Utility
Partnership Agreement to verify that the school district’s electric utility
provider is aware of the school district’s rebate application.
EPA’s $5 billion Clean School Bus Program, created by President Biden’s
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, includes both a grant program where selected
applicants are awarded funds to purchase buses and a rebate program that
allows selectees to receive awards before purchasing eligible buses that
replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emission models. Today’s
Clean School Bus grants are the second round of selections announced for the
newly created program. EPA will make more funds available for clean school
buses in additional rounds of funding.
EPA is currently accepting applications for the 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate
Program until January 31, 2024. EPA encourages applicants not selected for the
2023 Clean School Bus Grant Program – and those that did not apply – to
participate in current and future funding rounds. Once the application period
for the 2023 rebate program closes and the school districts selected are
notified, school districts can proceed with purchasing new buses and eligible
infrastructure. Selectees will need to submit Payment Request Forms with
purchase orders demonstrating they have ordered new buses and eligible
infrastructure. After the selectees submit the proper forms, they will be
eligible to receive rebate funds. All selectees must submit a Utility
Partnership Agreement to verify that the school district’s electric utility
provider is aware of the school district’s rebate application.
To learn more about the 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program, applicant
eligibility, selection process, and informational webinar dates for future
rounds of funding, visit the Clean School Bus Program website. Questions about
about Clean School Bus Program technical assistance may be directed to
About the Clean School Bus Program
EPA’s Clean School Bus Program was adopted under President Biden’s
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides an unprecedented $5 billion of
funding to transform the nation’s fleet of school buses. The Clean School
Bus Program funds electric buses, producing zero tailpipe emissions, as well
as propane and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, resulting in lower tailpipe
emissions compared to their older diesel predecessors.
The Clean School Bus Program will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money
for school districts, and produce cleaner air. Air pollution from older diesel
engines is linked to asthma and other conditions that harm students’ health
and cause them to miss school, particularly in communities of color and Tribal
communities. Efforts to minimize the effects of these older diesel engines
will ensure cleaner air for students, bus drivers, and school staff working
near the bus loading areas, and the communities through which the buses drive
each day.
The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from these bus replacements will
also help to address the outsized role of the transportation sector in fueling
the climate crisis. The Program will benefit school districts as they upgrade
to cost saving and fuel-efficient school bus fleets, by replacing existing
buses with brand new zero-emission and clean school buses and freeing up
needed resources for schools.
In April 2023, EPA announced the availability of at least $400 million for its
2023 Clean School Bus Grants through a Notice of Funding Opportunity. The
grant application period closed in August 2023 with an outstanding response
from applicants seeking to purchase electric and low-emission school buses.
Given the overwhelming demand and high-scoring applications, including
applicants in low-income communities, Tribal nations and territories, EPA has
nearly doubled the amount of funding that will be awarded this round to
approximately $965 million. These awards follow over $875 million obligated to
new buses from the Clean School Bus Program’s 2022 Rebates, which funded the
replacement of 2,366 buses at 372 school districts to further improve air
quality in and around schools, to reduce greenhouse gas pollution fueling the
climate crisis, and help accelerate America’s leadership in developing the
clean vehicles of the future.
Prioritized school districts in low-income, rural, and/or Tribal communities
make up approximately 86% of the projects selected for funding. The program
delivers on President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver
40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged
communities that are marginalized, underserved and overburdened by pollution.
View the full list of Clean School Bus grantees here.