As part of its ongoing commitment to protecting children and improving air quality, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the selection of Fairfax County Public Schools, along with Newport News Public Schools, as 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 Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will help purchase clean school buses.
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.
“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.”
“This funding will usher in a cleaner, healthier future for our students and communities as a whole,” said U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA).
“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.”
Dr. Michelle Reid, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools, said, “This … 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,” said Karl Frisch, Chair of the Fairfax County School Board.
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.
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.
EPA is currently accepting applications for the 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program until Jan. 31, 2024.