![Several Maryland school districts awarded federal funds for environmentally-friendly buses Several Maryland school districts awarded federal funds for environmentally-friendly buses](https://i3.wp.com/marylandmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/28-bus-charging-full.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
WASHINGTON – As part of its ongoing effort to replace diesel-powered school buses, the Biden administration said Wednesday it will provide about 530 school districts in nearly every state with nearly $1 billion to help them purchase clean school buses.
The initiative, part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program rebate competition, will provide funding to school districts in 47 states and the District of Columbia to help them purchase more than 3,400 school buses clean. Alaska, Hawaii and Nevada are not part of this round of funding.
Five Maryland counties (Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Charles and Prince George) will share $16.7 million from the program, the White House announced.
According to the administration, almost all clean school buses purchased will be electric, 92%.
“This announcement is not just about clean school buses, but about a broader vision,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said during a call with reporters Tuesday, ahead of the announcement. “We are improving air quality for our children, reducing greenhouse gas pollution, and expanding our nation’s leadership in developing the clean vehicles of the future.”
According to the administration, low-income rural and tribal communities, which represent approximately 45% of the selected projects, will receive approximately 67% of the total funding.
In Maryland, however, most of the money will go to Baltimore and Prince George’s counties, which will receive $8.6 million and $5.2 million, respectively. Anne Arundel will receive $1.3 million, Charles County will receive $1.2 million and Allegany County will receive $345,000.
Regan noted how “low-income communities and communities of color have long felt the disproportionate impacts of air pollution, leading to serious health outcomes that continue to impact these populations.”
As for business and economic opportunities, Regan pointed to the development of new, high-paying manufacturing jobs and investment in local businesses stemming from the growing demand for these clean school buses.
“As more and more schools switch to electric buses, American-made batteries, charging stations and service providers will be needed to maintain buses, supercharge and revitalize local economies,” he added.
According to the administration, the Clean School Bus Program has collectively awarded nearly $3 billion to fund approximately 8,500 electric and alternative fuel buses for more than 1,000 communities across the United States.
The program began through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden, which includes $5 billion over five years to transform the country’s existing school buses with “zero- and low-emission models.” according to the EPA.
According to the EPA, among many negative health and environmental effects, especially for communities of color, exposure to diesel exhaust can lead to significant health conditions such as asthma and respiratory illnesses.
Exposure to diesel exhaust can also “worse existing heart and lung diseases, especially in children and the elderly,” the agency said.
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