(AGENPARL) – mar 09 gennaio 2024 Issued: Jan 9, 2024 (6:08pm EST)
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EPA announces $51M in grants for 144 new school buses in PNW
SEATTLE (Jan. 9) – Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
announced Oregon and Washington will receive $51,148,500 for the purchase of
144 clean school buses.
Across the Nation, 67 applicants will receive nearly $1 billion through
EPA’s Clean School Bus Program. In the Pacific Northwest:
Beaverton School District, Oregon, will receive $19,750,000 to purchase 50
buses
First Student Inc. will receive $16,500,000 to purchase 46 buses for both
states
RWC Group will receive $11,148,500 to purchase 33 buses across Washington
Walla Walla Public Schools, Washington, will receive $3,750,000 to purchase 15
buses
“EPA is proud to partner with local school districts to bring electric
school buses and cleaner air to communities throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Children are most at risk for respiratory illnesses caused by diesel
particulates so helping electrify school bus fleets is an investment in our
kids’ health and their future,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey
Sixkiller. “Any action we can take to reduce the incidence of asthma and
other health issues children experience is the right thing to do.”
“We are thrilled by today’s announcement. These additional 40 buses are
critical for our children and schools. We’ve seen tremendous benefits to
our kids’ physical and mental health. Not only do we see fewer asthma
attacks because of electric buses, we also see calmer, happier kids because
they no longer have to shout to hear each other over noisy diesel
engines,” said Governor Jay Inslee. “These awards supercharge
Washington’s efforts to be a leader in converting to clean, quiet electric
buses. I’ve proposed $30 million in my budget to fund 80
additional electric buses and charging infrastructure. Thanks to Senator
Murray, Administrator Regan, EPA, and President Biden for their partnership in
building the future our children and communities deserve.”
“Students across the state rely on school buses to get them to and from
school safely every day. The Clean School Bus grants announced by the
Biden-Harris Administration will make those buses cleaner for more students.
The grants will improve air quality to protect the health of our students and
aid in our efforts to combat climate change in Oregon,” said Governor Tina
Kotek
EPA’s 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.
“Getting more clean school buses on our roads is a win for students, our
planet, and our economy—and that’s exactly what I had in mind when I
created this program,” Sen. Patty Murray said. “Out of every 20 school
buses in our country, 19 still use diesel fuel, and that means far too many
kids and drivers are breathing in polluted air every time they board an old
diesel school bus. Replacing these buses with cleaner alternatives just makes
sense, and I’m thrilled to see that $15 million from my Clean School Bus
Program is going out the door to help school districts across Washington state
electrify their fleets.”
“Currently Washington state students rely on a fleet of 10,000 buses powered
by costly diesel fuel. Investing in cleaner school buses will help lower air
pollution around schools and reduce school district fueling and maintenance
expenses,” Sen. Maria Cantwell said.
“Every child—regardless of the color of their skin, their zip code, or how
much money their parents make—should be able to travel to and from school
without having to be exposed to toxins and dangerous air pollution that drives
asthma and other diseases,” said Sen. Jeff Merkley. “This historic
investment will secure support for several Oregon school districts
to purchase electric school buses to keep the air cleaner for our kids and
save school districts money. I’ll keep fighting for the investments and
legislation we need to upgrade school bus fleets around Oregon.”
“In my many open-to-all town hall meetings throughout the state, I hear from
Oregonians concerned about climate change, which is why I am a strong
supporter of the Clean School Bus Program and authored historic clean energy
provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Sen. Ron Wyden. “These
clean-bus resources will go a long way in increasing school transit services
while helping to ensure a brighter future for our students.”
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. EPA’s Clean School Bus 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.
“Old, diesel school buses are a threat to air quality and the health and
safety of our children. Our community is well positioned to help accelerate
the transition to electrification and today’s grants are a reflection of our
leadership in this vital effort. I’m hopeful that this is just the beginning
of a cleaner, more efficient transportation system,” said Rep. Earl
Blumenauer.
“It’s exciting that Portland Public Schools and Beaverton School District
students will be able to ride in clean school buses in the years to come
because of funding from this program,” said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici. “These
buses reduce harmful air pollution and improve the health of students and the
community.
“This $15 million in federal funding, made possible by the bipartisan
infrastructure law, will help several Washington school districts, including
Snohomish and Lake Washington School Districts, upgrade their bus fleets,”
said Rep. Suzan DelBene. “This investment will support cleaner, greener
buses, foster a healthier environment that promotes the well-being of our
students, and is a significant stride toward a brighter, more sustainable
future.”
“I’m thrilled to see millions of dollars in federal funding headed to
Washington’s 7th district to support the purchase of clean school buses for
our region,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal. “Every child deserves to breathe
clean air, and these dollars will go a long way toward improving air quality
for our community while helping kids get to and from school. I’m proud to
have voted for the Infrastructure Law as this legislation continues to deliver
funding for important clean energy projects across America.”
“We know that investing in a clean energy transportation economy can create
green jobs and help our environment,” said Rep. Derek Kilmer. “And when we
invest in cleaner school buses, we improve air quality for students, parents,
and others across our region. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,
we’re seeing investments in places like Tacoma that have put our state on
the path to being a leading example in sustainable transportation.”
“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Everett School District and
South Whidbey School District will be able to safely transport kids while
pulling more pollution out of transportation,” said Rep. Rick Larsen.
“Investing in cleaner and greener school bus fleets in Everett, Island
County and across Washington state enables communities to build more efficient
transportation networks while reducing maintenance costs, creating jobs and
improving public health.”
“Making the switch to cleaner, greener school buses is good for our
children’s health and good for our environment,” said Rep. Andrea
Salinas. “That’s why I’m excited to announce Oregon’s Sixth District
will be receiving millions of dollars in Clean School Bus Awards, funding that
will help the cities of Amity, McMinnville, Dayton, and Willamina purchase
electric and low-emissions school buses. I’m grateful to the Biden
Administration and the EPA for investing in Oregon’s future, and I look
forward to seeing these dollars put to good use in our communities.”
Background
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
replaces 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.
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