Issued: Jan 8, 2024 (2:10pm EST)

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Biden-Harris Administration announces nearly $19 million in awards for Clean School Buses across New Jersey as part of Investing in America Agenda

Contact Information:
Iris Crawford, 347-908-3374, crawford.iris@epa.gov

Barbara Khan, 720-595-8698, khan.barbara@epa.gov

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 New Jersey-based applicant to receive nearly $19 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 five school districts in New Jersey, including Elizabeth, Union City, Newark, Bloomfield Township and Lakewood Township. 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.

Van-Con, Inc. has been selected to receive nearly $19 million to purchase 42 clean school buses and 28 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."

"The investments President Biden and Congressional Democrats have made are helping provide clean air, water, and a healthy environment for all Americans, all while creating jobs and strengthening the economy," said Senator Cory Booker. "I am proud to have worked with and supported school districts up and down the state that will now be able to deploy low-emission school buses that provide cleaner air for our children and families, lower costs for school districts that can then better invest in our children's education, and advance environmental justice for communities disproportionately harmed by toxic pollution."

"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is once again delivering for New Jersey. This is a great step in our effort to fight climate change, transition to green infrastructure, and protect the health of our children, while lifting the financial burden off the shoulders of our local municipalities. Securing federal grants like this one are key to my mission to make New Jersey a better, safer, and more affordable place to live," said U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11). "Thank you to the EPA for helping protect New Jersey's environment."

"Van-Con, Inc. and CCMT are privileged and honored to be selected by the U.S. EPA to lead this major deployment of zero emission battery electric school buses in New Jersey. This funding is going to create cleaner, healthier, and quieter communities across New Jersey, including some of the largest environmental justice districts in the state. It is also going to create jobs right here in New Jersey, as well as across the United States as the buses are made in New Jersey, Georgia, and Michigan," said James Sherman, project developer, manager and CEO of Climate Change Mitigation Technologies LLC (CCMT).

"Van-Con Inc. has been in business for 50 years serving New Jersey's school bus transportation needs and we welcome the shift to electric school buses," added Jim Anderson, president of Van-Con, Inc. "They provide multiple benefits to the community and operators alike and help fight climate change. We look forward to working with the U.S. EPA, CCMT and all Boards of Education and school bus contractors involved to bring cleaner air to all New Jersey school districts."

The Clean School Bus Program will set school districts and 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 affects 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 grantee 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 applying for funding may be directed to cleanschoolbus@epa.gov. Questions about Clean School Bus Program technical assistance may be directed to CleanSchoolBusTA@nrel.gov.

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.

For more information, please email CleanSchoolBus@epa.gov.

View the full list of Clean School Bus grantees here.

Follow EPA Region 2 on X (formerly Twitter) and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.

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