EPA Press Office:

EPA announces $51M in grants for 144 new school buses in PNW

SEATTLE (Jan. 9) – Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Oregon and Washington will receive $51,148,500 for the purchase of 144 clean school buses.

Across the Nation, 67 applicants will receive nearly $1 billion through EPA’s Clean School Bus Program. In the Pacific Northwest:

• Beaverton School District, Oregon, will receive $19,750,000 to purchase 50 buses
• First Student Inc. will receive $16,500,000 to purchase 46 buses for both states
• RWC Group will receive $11,148,500 to purchase 33 buses across Washington
• Walla Walla Public Schools, Washington, will receive $3,750,000 to purchase 15 buses

“EPA is proud to partner with local school districts to bring electric school buses and cleaner air to communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. Children are most at risk for respiratory illnesses caused by diesel particulates so helping electrify school bus fleets is an investment in our kids’ health and their future,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “Any action we can take to reduce the incidence of asthma and other health issues children experience is the right thing to do.”

“We are thrilled by today’s announcement. These additional 40 buses are critical for our children and schools. We’ve seen tremendous benefits to our kids’ physical and mental health. Not only do we see fewer asthma attacks because of electric buses, we also see calmer, happier kids because they no longer have to shout to hear each other over noisy diesel engines,” said Governor Jay Inslee. “These awards supercharge Washington’s efforts to be a leader in converting to clean, quiet electric buses. I’ve proposed $30 million in my budget to fund 80 additional electric buses and charging infrastructure. Thanks to Senator Murray, Administrator Regan, EPA, and President Biden for their partnership in building the future our children and communities deserve.”

“Students across the state rely on school buses to get them to and from school safely every day. The Clean School Bus grants announced by the Biden-Harris Administration will make those buses cleaner for more students. The grants will improve air quality to protect the health of our students and aid in our efforts to combat climate change in Oregon,” said Governor Tina Kotek

EPA’s 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.

“Getting more clean school buses on our roads is a win for students, our planet, and our economy—and that’s exactly what I had in mind when I created this program,” Sen. Patty Murray said. “Out of every 20 school buses in our country, 19 still use diesel fuel, and that means far too many kids and drivers are breathing in polluted air every time they board an old diesel school bus. Replacing these buses with cleaner alternatives just makes sense, and I’m thrilled to see that $15 million from my Clean School Bus Program is going out the door to help school districts across Washington state electrify their fleets.”

“Currently Washington state students rely on a fleet of 10,000 buses powered by costly diesel fuel. Investing in cleaner school buses will help lower air pollution around schools and reduce school district fueling and maintenance expenses,” Sen. Maria Cantwell said.

"Every child—regardless of the color of their skin, their zip code, or how much money their parents make—should be able to travel to and from school without having to be exposed to toxins and dangerous air pollution that drives asthma and other diseases," said Sen. Jeff Merkley. “This historic investment will secure support for several Oregon school districts to purchase electric school buses to keep the air cleaner for our kids and save school districts money. I'll keep fighting for the investments and legislation we need to upgrade school bus fleets around Oregon.”

“In my many open-to-all town hall meetings throughout the state, I hear from Oregonians concerned about climate change, which is why I am a strong supporter of the Clean School Bus Program and authored historic clean energy provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Sen. Ron Wyden. “These clean-bus resources will go a long way in increasing school transit services while helping to ensure a brighter future for our students.”

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. EPA’s Clean School Bus 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.

“Old, diesel school buses are a threat to air quality and the health and safety of our children. Our community is well positioned to help accelerate the transition to electrification and today’s grants are a reflection of our leadership in this vital effort. I’m hopeful that this is just the beginning of a cleaner, more efficient transportation system,” said Rep. Earl Blumenauer.

“It’s exciting that Portland Public Schools and Beaverton School District students will be able to ride in clean school buses in the years to come because of funding from this program,” said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici. “These buses reduce harmful air pollution and improve the health of students and the community.

"This $15 million in federal funding, made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law, will help several Washington school districts, including Snohomish and Lake Washington School Districts, upgrade their bus fleets,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene. “This investment will support cleaner, greener buses, foster a healthier environment that promotes the well-being of our students, and is a significant stride toward a brighter, more sustainable future."

“I’m thrilled to see millions of dollars in federal funding headed to Washington’s 7th district to support the purchase of clean school buses for our region,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal. “Every child deserves to breathe clean air, and these dollars will go a long way toward improving air quality for our community while helping kids get to and from school. I’m proud to have voted for the Infrastructure Law as this legislation continues to deliver funding for important clean energy projects across America.”

“We know that investing in a clean energy transportation economy can create green jobs and help our environment,” said Rep. Derek Kilmer. “And when we invest in cleaner school buses, we improve air quality for students, parents, and others across our region. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re seeing investments in places like Tacoma that have put our state on the path to being a leading example in sustainable transportation.”

“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Everett School District and South Whidbey School District will be able to safely transport kids while pulling more pollution out of transportation,” said Rep. Rick Larsen. “Investing in cleaner and greener school bus fleets in Everett, Island County and across Washington state enables communities to build more efficient transportation networks while reducing maintenance costs, creating jobs and improving public health.”

“Making the switch to cleaner, greener school buses is good for our children’s health and good for our environment,” said Rep. Andrea Salinas. “That’s why I’m excited to announce Oregon's Sixth District will be receiving millions of dollars in Clean School Bus Awards, funding that will help the cities of Amity, McMinnville, Dayton, and Willamina purchase electric and low-emissions school buses. I’m grateful to the Biden Administration and the EPA for investing in Oregon’s future, and I look forward to seeing these dollars put to good use in our communities.”

Background

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.

Contact Information: EPA R10 Press Office (r10_Press_team@epa.gov)