EPA Press Office:

Biden-Harris Administration Announces at least $17.1M in Awards for Clean School Buses Across Virginia as Part of Investing in America Agenda

PHILADELPHIA (Jan. 8, 2024) – As part of its ongoing commitment to protecting children and improving air quality, today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the selection of two applicants in Virginia to receive more than $17.1 million through EPA’s first Clean School Bus Program’s Grants Competition.  

The awards, which are made possible through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will help selectees purchase clean school buses in two school districts across Virginia.  

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.  

• Fairfax County Public Schools has been selected to receive $16,590,000 to purchase 42 electric school buses. 

• Newport News Public Schools has been selected to receive $525,000 to purchase 15 propane school buses.  

“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.”   

"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."  

“Time and time again, we are seeing how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law I helped pass is making a difference in communities across Virginia,” said U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA). “I’m glad that Fairfax County and Newport News Public Schools are receiving funding for clean buses, which will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our environment.” 

“I am thrilled to see Fairfax and Newport News Public Schools receive funding to invest in electric and low-emission school buses,” said U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA). “This funding will usher in a cleaner, healthier future for our students and communities as a whole.”   

“Today’s announcement is a gamechanger for Fairfax County, home to one of the largest school districts in the country,” said U.S. Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11). “The environmental benefits of these new buses are vitally important to our fight against climate change, but the good news doesn’t stop there. Students, staff, and parents who spend time on and around school buses will no longer be exposed to diesel exhaust and other toxins from diesel-powered buses. This is a great day for Northern Virginia, brought to you proudly by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden.”  

“I congratulate Newport News Public Schools on being selected for the first Clean School Bus Grants Competition from the EPA,” said U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-3). “Low and zero-emissions school buses ensure that our children breathe cleaner air both during their commutes and in their neighborhoods. This will create good green jobs, combat the climate crisis and improve the health of our students and their communities.”  

“We are honored and excited to be among the recipients of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Awards,” said Dr. Michelle Reid, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools. “This recognition not only underscores our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship but also reflects our ongoing efforts to provide healthier, cleaner transportation for all Fairfax County Public Schools students.” 

“These awards will greatly assist us in our commitment to achieve a fully zero-emission fleet, aligning with our goal of reducing our carbon footprint and ensuring the highest standards of safety and efficiency in student transportation,” said Karl Frisch, Chair of the Fairfax County School Board. “We thank the EPA for this opportunity and will leverage these resources to make a positive impact on our community and the environment." 

“Newport News Public Schools is honored to earn a 2023 EPA Clean School Bus Program Grant Award to increase the number of propane-fueled school buses in our fleet,” said Shay Coates, Executive Director of Pupil Transportation for Newport News Public Schools. “Propane not only reduces emissions, but also saves our district thousands of dollars in fuel and maintenance costs each year.” 

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 Virginia 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 replaces 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. 

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 created under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and provides an unprecedented $5 billion of funding to transform the nation’s fleet of school buses. The Clean School Bus Program funds clean school buses, including electric buses, compressed natural gas (CNG) and propane buses that   produce 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, which disproportionately impact communities of color and Tribal communities, is linked to asthma and other conditions that harm students’ health and can cause them to miss school. Replacing these older diesel engines with zero- or low-emission buses will ensure cleaner air for students, bus drivers, school staff working near 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 large number of 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 nationally today 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, advance environmental justice, reduce greenhouse gas pollution fueling the climate crisis, and 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.