The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Jan. 8 announced the selection of 67 applicants to receive nearly $1 billion through EPA’s Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition.
The awards will help selectees purchase over 2,700 clean school buses in 280 school districts serving over 7 million students across 37 states. 95% of buses will be electric and prioritized school districts in low-income, rural, and/or Tribal communities make up approximately 86% of the projects selected for funding.
Public power communities including, among others, Lansing, Mich., Los Angeles, Calif., and San Antonio, Texas, are included among the award recipients.
To ensure the successful implementation of the selected projects funding electric buses and charging infrastructure, EPA has created a Utility Partnership Template that encourages early and robust engagement between the applicant and their utility.
With the most recent grant announcement, EPA’s Clean School Bus Program has awarded nearly $2 billion and funded approximately 5,000 electric and low-emission school buses nationwide.
EPA’s $5 billion Clean School Bus Program includes both a grant and rebate program. While both programs award funding before the purchase of eligible buses and infrastructure, the application process, selection process, level of EPA support, and number of replacement buses varies.
EPA is currently accepting applications for the 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program until January 31, 2024.
EPA is encouraging 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 cleanschoolbus@epa.gov.
Questions about Clean School Bus Program technical assistance may be directed to CleanSchoolBusTA@nrel.gov.
