(AGENPARL) – lun 08 gennaio 2024 Issued: Jan 8, 2024 (12:24pm EST)
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $40 Million Across Arizona for
Clean School Buses as Part of the Investing in America Agenda
SAN FRANCISCO – 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 applicants in Arizona to receive $40,090,898
through EPA’s first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. The awards,
made possible through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will
help selectees purchase clean school buses in 25 school districts across
Arizona. 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 while boosting the economy and creating
good-paying jobs.
Chinle Unified School has been selected to receive $5,925,000 to purchase 15
clean school buses.
Canyon State Bus Sales Inc. has been selected to receive $17,759,398 to
purchase 62 clean school buses.
RWC International Ltd has been selected to receive $16,406,500 to purchase 44
clean school buses.
In addition, Arizona is expected to receive additional funding through
third-party selectees working with multiple states.
First Student Inc. has been selected to receive $15,775,000 to purchase 45
buses in Arizona and California.
“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.”   
“Clean school buses will improve air quality across the Valley and improve
the health of our students,” said Representative Ruben Gallego. “I’m
thrilled that, thanks to our efforts, more young Arizonans will be provided
cleaner transportation to and from school.”
“I’m proud to support the investments the Biden administration is making
to modernize school bus fleets with low- and zero-emission vehicles for
southern Arizona communities,” remarked Representative Raúl M. Grijalva.
“This federal funding is a critical part of President Biden’s promise to
address environmental justice and accelerate the transition to a clean energy
economy. These school buses will give southern Arizonans cleaner school
transportation and help ensure clean air, less climate pollution, and a
healthier learning environment for our kids and future generations.”
“We thank the EPA for these awards and for accelerating the equitable
deployment of electric school buses across the U.S. First Student looks
forward to continuing our partnership with the EPA as we work to fulfill our
commitment to convert 30,000 diesel school buses with clean, electric-powered
school buses by 2035,” shared Chris Bokelman, Sr. Director of Marketing &
Communications at First Student, Inc. “As the largest student transportation
provider in the country and the leading operator of electric school buses, our
team has the resources and expertise to not only bring students to and from
school safely but also work with school districts, utilities, and
municipalities to build the necessary charging and maintenance infrastructure
for the future.”
“Canyon State Bus Sales is extremely excited to have this opportunity to
help Arizona schools provide the safest and cleanest transportation available
for their students’ wellbeing,” said Michael McGrath, Owner & CEO of
Canyon State Bus Sales General Manager. “We are honored to help make this
positive impact on the community and the environment with the help of the
EPA.  We look forward to continuing to lead the alternative fuel school bus
market in Arizona.”
The Clean School Bus Program has far-reaching effects on school districts and
their communities. Air pollution from older diesel engines is linked to asthma
and other conditions that harm students’ health and can cause them to miss
school. 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 daily.
After an extensive review process, the EPA Clean School Bus Program has
selected the Notice of Funding Opportunity’s top-tier Arizona applicants to
receive this historic investment in their community.
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
applicant and their utility company. Additional details can be found in the
Notice of Funding Opportunity on the Clean School Bus Program Website.
Grantees will work with their EPA Regional Project Officers to finalize
project plans and purchase their awarded new buses and eligible
infrastructure. The total amounts awarded and the number of buses may be
adjusted as grants are finalized. 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 funding rounds.
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 who 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 must 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
funding rounds, 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 and
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, 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 new zero-emission and clean school buses and freeing up needed
school resources.
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 funding 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
comprise 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
View the complete list of Clean School Bus grantees here.
Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us
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