Biden-Harris Administration Announces at Least $42 Million in Awards for Clean School Buses Across Illinois as Part of Investing in America Agenda
CHICAGO (Jan. 8, 2024) – As part of its ongoing commitment to protecting children and improving air quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced the selection of three applicants to receive more than $42 million through the agency’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 six school districts across Illinois. 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.
- Chicago Public Schools was selected to receive $20,285,017 to purchase 50 clean school buses.
- Peoria Public Schools District 150 was selected to receive $5,925,000 to purchase 15 clean school buses.
- Van Pool Transportation LLC - Beacon Mobility was selected to receive $15,800,000 to purchase 40 clean school buses.
In addition, Illinois is expected receive additional funding through third-party selectees that are working with multiple states.
- First Student, Inc. was selected to receive $39,499,635 to purchase 100 buses in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
- Highland CSB 1 was selected to receive $29,365,000 to purchase 98 buses in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
- Student Transportation of America Inc was selected to receive $12,187,253 to purchase 32 buses in Illinois and Wisconsin.
“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’s exciting announcement reflects this Administration’s ongoing commitment to the health and wellbeing of children throughout the Great Lakes states,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “Clean school buses not only provide students with safe transportation to and from school, but they also improve air quality throughout the neighborhoods they serve.”
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Grants, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, represent a commitment to our children’s health and a stride towards a cleaner, greener future,” said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. “By reducing harmful diesel pollution, we are not only safeguarding the well-being of our youth, but also investing in the sustainability of our communities. I am glad to see that Illinois School Districts will receive more than $40 million for new, all-electric school buses from these grants. This marks a significant step forward in our collective responsibility to provide a healthier and more environmentally conscious education system for generations to come.”
“Transitioning to electric school buses puts Illinois on the path to healthier environments and it opens up new avenues for economic growth and job creation in our state,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth. “With this federal support, we’ll be better able to develop a more sustainable future not just for ourselves but for our kids and generations to come.”
“Thanks to President Joe Biden’s historic Infrastructure Law, over $5 billion will be distributed through the Clean School Bus Program to replace dirty diesel school buses with clean electric buses. I am very pleased to see that Chicago Public Schools and Evanston/Skokie School District 65 will benefit from the first round of grant funding. Every child deserves a healthy future,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky. “This investment is a critical step in the fight against climate change and will improve air quality not only in our community, but across the nation. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to support common sense measures that protect the right of all, especially our children, to a safe and habitable climate.”
“I’m thrilled that so many communities across Illinois, including Aurora, are receiving new electric school buses with grants made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Rep. Bill Foster. “Investing in clean energy infrastructure like electric buses will improve air quality and help combat the climate crisis, all while creating good-paying manufacturing jobs.”
“Clean School Bus grants take a necessary step to ending harmful pollution from our nation’s school buses. Our students and communities deserve to breathe clean, fresh air. These grants will set the stage for the rest of our country to move away from fossil fuel and invest in clean, reliable energy that will keep our children safe,” said Rep. Mike Quigley.
“Investing in Clean Buses is an investment in our environment, in our children, and in our entire nation’s future. With these investments, Illinois communities will be a model for a sustainable future that keeps our children healthier, safer, and prepared to thrive in a changing world. I am proud to continue my close work with the Biden-Harris Administration to implement the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and build a sustainable future for generations to come,” said Rep. Robin Kelly.
“Fuel efficient school buses are not only better for our children’s health and the environment, but they also help save taxpayer money at the gas pump,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “I’m thrilled to see this funding from the EPA come to Chicagoland – it’s a true win-win.”
“I am proud to have worked with my Illinois delegation colleagues to advocate for funding and inclusive implementation of the clean school bus program in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" said Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García. "This investment in low- and no-emission school buses will help provide a cleaner, healthier future for students in Illinois and across the country.”
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has brought millions of Americans safer roads, bridges and neighborhood crosswalks. Now, it’s delivering better buses for our students and our environment,” said Rep. Nikki Budzinski. “I’m excited to announce that the Environmental Protection Agency has selected recipients in Cahokia Heights, Decatur and East St. Louis and Granite City as recipients of their Clean School Bus Program, bringing essential funding to upgrade and replace 60 buses across Central and Southern Illinois. This investment is only the start of our work to reduce air pollution, save money for our school districts and create a healthier future for our students.”
"These grants are critical to ensuring school districts across Illinois have the tools they need to create safe and healthy learning environments for students, staff, and faculty," said Rep. Eric Sorensen. "I applaud Peoria Public Schools and all the school districts that are receiving these funds which showcase how investments in clean transportation can have a positive impact on our communities and working families."
“Illinois EPA is pleased to see so many Illinois school districts take advantage of state and federal funding opportunities and lead the way in electric school bus adoption,” said John J. Kim, director, Illinois EPA. “This significant funding for electric school buses will benefit Illinois students and communities, and the air we breathe.”
“We are thrilled to learn that the EPA has selected Chicago Public Schools to receive a federal grant to help purchase electric school buses,” said Pedro Martinez, CEO Chicago Public Schools. “This is a great move for the environment, first and foremost, and a great way to model environmentally-friendly practices for our staff and students. We look forward to completing the next steps to secure the grant and support a clean energy model of transportation to and from our schools.”
“Peoria Public Schools is honored to be selected for the EPA Clean School Bus Grant,” said Joshua Collins, director of transportation for Peoria Public Schools. “We are excited for the benefits these EV buses will bring to our students and families.”
“The well-being of our students and communities is a top priority and Beacon Mobility is grateful for the opportunity to put 40 more electric school buses on the roads,” said Judith Crawford, CEO Beacon Mobility. “Our team remains committed to expanding our hybrid and electric vehicle fleets to reduce emissions and offer safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation options for students, families and schools. We thank the Environmental Protection Agency for their ongoing partnership and appreciate their efforts to put more energy efficient vehicles into production."
“We thank the EPA for these awards and for accelerating the equitable deployment of electric school buses across the U.S.,” said John Kenning, CEO and president of First Student. “First Student looks forward to continuing our partnership with the EPA as we work to fulfill our commitment to convert 30,000 diesel school buses with clean, electric-powered school buses by 2035. As the largest student transportation provider in the country and the leading operator of electric school buses, our team has the resources and expertise to not only bring students to and from school safely, but also work with school districts, utilities, and municipalities to build the necessary charging and maintenance infrastructure for the future. We appreciate the EPA’s recognition of the turn-key nature of our proposals and are excited to continue modernizing fleets and improving the environmental health of the students and communities we serve.”
“Thanks to funding from the EPA Clean School Bus Grant Program and support from a robust coalition of partners, we are proud to deploy electric school buses across metro, tribal, rural and suburban communities spanning five Midwest states,” said Joshua Williams, midwest regional manager, Highland Electric Fleets. “We look forward to demonstrating that all communities can access the benefits of electric school buses.”
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 Illinois 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
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 [email protected].
View the full list of Clean School Bus grantees.