Ryan Giunta
Former Transform Transportation, Associate, PIRG
Statement: EPA’s Clean School Bus program shows strong electric bus demand
Media Contacts
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Wednesday the first $913 million in Clean School Bus funding to 389 school districts spanning all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and several Tribes and U.S. territories. This funding, passed as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework of 2021, will support the purchase of 2,493 new school buses, 95% which will be electric. This is the first installment of $5 billion set to fund clean school bus purchases over the next five years.
Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver remarks at an event in Seattle highlighting the Biden administration’s investments in clean school buses. She will be joined by EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
In response Ryan Giunta, Transportation Campaigns associate for PIRG, released the following statement:
“The demand is there. School districts across the country understand the opportunity they are presented with and that it’s time to take action. The funding provided by the federal infrastructure bill presents a massive opportunity to improve the health of our children by reducing air pollution and fighting back against the climate crisis.
“Seeing that over 90% of this round’s applications were for electric buses is a great sign. Administrators know that electric buses are much cleaner and safer compared to their fossil fuel-powered counterparts.”
In response Mackenzie Brown, Global Warming Solutions associate for Environment America, released the following statement:
“Electric school buses protect students’ health, reduce emissions that are fueling the climate crisis and benefit school districts by saving money in fuel and maintenance costs.
“This new round of federal funding is a chance for school districts to better serve their students and their communities – and to become more environmentally sustainable. The number of grant applications for this program shows us that schools are ready to go electric- they just need the resources to get there.”