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:
Iris M. 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 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 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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