PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Editor's note: The above video is from Aug. 15, 2023.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that two Pennsylvania organizations will receive over $45 million to purchase electric, low- or no-emission school buses as part of the Clean School Bus Program’s Grants Competition.
The School District of Philadelphia will receive $7.9 million to purchase 20 clean school buses, and transportation service First Student Inc. will get over $39 million to purchase 100 clean school buses.
"These grants are further proof of EPA's commitment to protect children, improve air quality, and contribute directly to communities," said EPA Mid-Atlantic regional administrator Adam Ortiz. "These once-in-a-generation infrastructure investments will have lasting impacts."
The money comes from President Biden's Investing in America agenda.
“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.”
The Clean School Bus Program is having far-reaching effects across school districts and their surrounding communities, the EPA said. Air pollution from older diesel engines is linked to asthma and other conditions that harm students’ health and can cause them to miss school.
“Clean school buses ensure our children are breathing cleaner air, which will set them up with a brighter and healthier future,” said Senator Robert Casey (D-PA). “The infrastructure law is continuing to deliver for Pennsylvania and helping us build a cleaner, brighter future for our children.”
The selected applicants are expected to purchase clean school buses for five school districts across the Commonwealth.
“Kids in the left behind communities of western Pennsylvania have higher rates of asthma compared to the rest of the country as a direct result of air pollution” said Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12). “I am so excited that the Pittsburgh School District will be getting a brand-new fleet of zero-emissions, clean school buses. Our children deserve a healthy future where they can breathe clean air and drink clean water--and this is one crucial step in achieving that reality.”
The EPA plans to make more money available for clean school buses in additional rounds of funding. Applications for the 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program are open until Jan. 31.