Biden-Harris Administration announces over $53.3 million in awards for Clean School Buses across Connecticut and Massachusetts as part of Investing in America agenda
BOSTON (Jan. 8, 2024) – As part of its ongoing commitment to protecting children and improving air quality, today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Connecticut and Massachusetts are set to receive funding through EPA's first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. The City of Boston and DATTCO, Inc. have been selected to receive over $53.3 million in total. The awards, which will be made possible through President Biden's Investing in America agenda, will help the selectees purchase 135 clean school buses in six school districts across Connecticut and Massachusetts. 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.
- City of Boston, Mass. has been selected to receive over $20 million to purchase 50 clean school buses.
In addition, Connecticut and Massachusetts are expected to receive additional funding through a third-party selectee that is working with multiple states.
- DATTCO, Inc. is receiving nearly $33.3 million to purchase 85 buses for five school districts in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
"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."
"Today, Investing in America means investing in 135 new clean electric school buses that will bring kids to school all across Massachusetts and Connecticut. By prioritizing electric buses, we're not just reducing emissions, we're tackling environmental injustices, ensuring every child, regardless of zip code, breathes clean air and has a healthier future. From Boston to Worcester, and Hartford to the Cape, the air will be cleaner, and kids will not be breathing in fumes that will give them asthma attacks or increase the chance of future health problems," said EPA Regional Administrator David Cash. "In addition, thanks to these historic investments, the technology innovation that go into low-emission school buses are launching us into America's clean energy future."
"Since I came to Congress in 2019, I have advocated for clean school bus funding and tirelessly fought for inclusion in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Educators know how damaging diesel exhaust can be for students and our communities. The nearly $1 billion investment, announced by the Biden-Harris Administration today, will save Connecticut school districts money, create good-paying clean energy jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protecting people and the planet. It is great to see how these efforts will impact over seven million students across the nation. This is a huge win for our state and our country," said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05).
"After years of fighting for investments in clean energy, I'm glad that we are able to deliver federal funding for a fleet of new electric school buses in Massachusetts. With this funding, we can reduce health risks from air pollution, boost domestic manufacturing while creating good-paying jobs in the process, and fight the climate crisis for the next generation. This is a big win for our communities, and I will keep fighting for more of these investments," said Senator Warren.
"This new funding for clean school buses from the Biden administration is going to help keep our communities and children safe from pollution, while creating a more livable future for Massachusetts residents and Americans all across this country," said Senator Markey. "We fought hard to include this funding in the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I thank the EPA for enabling Massachusetts to continue down the road to cleaner air."
"More parents in Worcester can send their kids to school with confidence knowing they will ride on a pollution-free bus thanks to this EPA Clean School Bus Award," said Congressman James P. McGovern. "School bus exhaust fumes can have a debilitating effect on communities, increasing the risk of kids developing asthma and releasing greenhouse gases that worsen climate change. This funding from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law means more efficient, cost-saving buses can hit the road."
"Clean school buses are a vital part of communities' plans to not only reduce operating costs but also to improve air quality, supporting a healthier environment for everyone. New Bedford has made clear its commitment to its students and families as well as the environment and this award is an extension of that commitment, said Congressman Keating."
"These federal investments in clean school buses are a welcome and critical step towards improving the air quality across the Commonwealth, reducing health risks from air pollution, and fighting the climate crisis—all while creating jobs for families right here in the Massachusetts 7th," said Rep. Pressley. "This is the type of bold, intersectional investment needed in this moment and I am grateful to the Biden Administration for their efforts to protect our children, our families, and our planet. I look forward to our ongoing collaboration to advance environmental justice for all."
"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is spurring important progress in Massachusetts. This investment will improve the health and safety of our students, reduce harmful emissions in our communities, and save school districts money," said Congressman Auchincloss.
"This unprecedented federal investment will mean healthier commutes for our students and bus drivers, cleaner air in our neighborhoods, and a giant step in our transition to a greener and climate-ready City. Thank you to the Biden-Harris Administration, EPA Administrator Michael Regan, and Region 1 Administrator David Cash for helping the City of Boston deliver for our schools and our residents," said City of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
"This historic $20 million investment in transportation is a testament to our City's and District's commitment to creating a greener school district. We thank the Biden-Harris administration for their leadership and support in helping us to continue to make our bus fleet and city cleaner, healthier, and sustainable. By being named as a winner in the EPA's Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition, BPS will further electrify our fleet of buses, reducing our environmental impact and improving the quality of life for our students and staff. This is not merely an investment in our buses, but an investment in our young people, our communities, and our staff," said Superintendent of Boston Public Schools, Mary Skipper.
"We are honored and thrilled to have been awarded funding under the 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Grant Program. This funding will enable us to procure and deliver 85 state-of-the-art, electric school buses, in 5 school districts in Connecticut and Massachusetts. These buses represent the cutting edge of sustainable, passenger transportation technology. Their deployment will have the direct effect of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants within disadvantaged communities. But they will also pave the way for the broader proliferation of electric buses within our region. As such, this award represents a significant milestone in our collective efforts to revolutionize school transportation in New England. This award is the result of the hard work of those not only at DATTCO, and its division DeVivo Bus Sales, but also of countless partners and community members that have helped," said Matt Kearns & Kevin DeVivo, DATTCO, Inc.
The Clean School Bus Program is having far-reaching effects across school districts and their surrounding 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 each day.
After an extensive review process, the EPA Clean School Bus Program has selected the Notice of Funding Opportunity's top tier 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. 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 [email protected]. Questions about Clean School Bus Program technical assistance may be directed to [email protected].
About the Clean School Bus Program
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 buses that will be funded under these grants will significantly reduce exposure to air emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter that cause health impacts to children such as the increased risk of asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
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 [email protected].