![Alabama secures .9 million in EPA funding for electric school buses Alabama secures .9 million in EPA funding for electric school buses](https://i1.wp.com/www.al.com/resizer/v2/N64RPEX2DZAHPMXCDENIXWB6UE.jpg?auth=f03a561e34e3c0ead55ce740b981d85d92282280001ede16fae81e1fc5f6f268&width=1280&quality=90&w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
Alabama is set to add at least 51 new all-electric school buses to the roads, thanks to $16.9 million in federal funding announced this week.
The grants were announced Wednesday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for 10 Alabama school districts.
Jeaneanne Gettle, acting administrator of EPA Region 4, said the new clean school buses will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save schools money and better protect children’s health from air pollution.
“Eliminating these diesel emissions in our communities and around our children absolutely has health benefits,” Gettle told AL.com. “We know that particulates create health and air quality problems in our communities, so it is absolutely beneficial (to reduce those emissions).
“We believe zero-emission school buses can be, and one day will be, the American standard, and we think this is a great place to invest.”
Gettle also said the buses and batteries purchased with these funds will be manufactured in the United States, boosting domestic production of electric vehicles and batteries.
Alabama school districts receiving funding are:
- City of Huntsville: $8,625,000 for 25 electric school buses
- Lanett City: $1,725,000 for five buses
- Selma City: $1,725,000 for five buses
- City of Fort Payne: $1,380,000 for four buses
- Clay County: $1,035,000 for three buses
- Montgomery County: $690,000 for two buses
- Jasper City: $690,000 for two buses
- Gulf Shores City: $600,000 for three buses
- Alabama Aviation and Aerospace High School: $400,000 for two buses
This $16.9 million in funding for Alabama schools this year adds to the $11.5 million awarded last year to three school districts, bringing the Alabama Clean School Bus total to more than $28 million over two years .
Last year’s awards went to:
- City of Albertville: $7,505,000 for 19 buses
- Fairfield City: $3,555,000 for 9 buses
- City of Tuscumbia: $395,000 for a bus
The awards are part of EPA’s $5 billion Clean School Buses initiative to advance the transition to electric or low-emission school buses nationwide.
“President Biden believes that all children deserve the opportunity to live healthy lives and breathe clean air, and his Investing in America agenda is designed to do just that,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in a statement. a press release. “With today’s latest round of funding, we are transforming the nation’s school bus fleet to better protect our most precious cargo: our children, saving school districts money, improving air quality, and strengthening American manufacturing, all at the same time. Same time”.
Funding for the project came from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act of 2021.
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, the only member of Alabama’s congressional delegation to vote in favor of the bill, said this funding would make a difference for Alabama schools.
“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Act is once again delivering results for Alabama,” Sewell said in a news release. “These funds will not only reduce pollution and make our communities healthier, but they will also save our school districts money and free up resources to invest in the success of our students.
“I was very proud to make this program possible and applaud the Biden-Harris administration for this investment in Alabama schools.”
School districts that have not received or applied for electric bus funding can still do so, said Gettle, acting EPA regional administrator.
Funding for the program will extend until 2026. The next round of applications closes on July 25.
“(This program) is one way for EPA to really make a difference in the communities where these buses appear,” Gettle said.
“It’s just a new piece of technology that can really make a difference in people’s quality of life.”
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