Press Releases

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the recipients of the 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition, funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) welcomed the $7.7 million investment for Maine schools, which will help selectees purchase 38 clean school buses in 15 school districts across Maine. The Clean School Bus Program will help Maine accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and replace older, diesel-fueled school buses, which have been linked to asthma and other conditions that harm the health of students and surrounding communities.

“Maine students, families, and educators rely on school buses for safety and efficiency, but diesel exhaust from existing fleets is damaging to air quality, our environment, and to human health—especially for children,” said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee. “As a stalwart supporter of clean energy, I am overjoyed to see millions of dollars in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments coming to Maine schools through the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program to make our communities safer and healthier. This funding puts us further down the path to achieving net-zero emissions, and it’s a huge win for our state, our country, and our planet.”

“President Biden believes every child deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy life and breathe clean air, and his Investing in America agenda is designed to deliver just that,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With today’s latest round of funding, we are transforming the nation’s school bus fleet to better protect our most precious cargo—our kids—saving school districts money, improving air quality, and bolstering American manufacturing all at the same time.”

“Today’s announcement helps ensure that 15 school districts in Maine can breathe easier and benefit from the reduced emissions of 38 clean school buses,” said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “Thirty-eight clean school buses means 38 fewer tailpipes blowing diesel exhaust and particulate matter into our air. It’s a win-win-win-win-win-win-win—cleaner air, healthier environment, fighting the climate crisis, parents not worrying that their kids are breathing in fumes as a diesel bus comes by, clean energy jobs, and school districts saving money. Our Clean School Bus program is making a real difference in the lives of children and families across New England.”

The 2023 Clean School Bus rebates will help selectees purchase 38 clean school buses in 15 school districts across Maine:

Fayette Public Schools has been selected to receive $200,000 in rebate funding to purchase one clean school bus.

Biddeford Public Schools has been selected to receive $1,000,000 in rebate funding to purchase five clean school buses.

RSU 28/MSAD 28 has been selected to receive $1,220,000 in rebate funding to purchase six clean school buses.

Education in Unorganized Territory has been selected to receive $690,000 in rebate funding to purchase two clean school buses.

Brunswick Public Schools has been selected to receive $70,000 in rebate funding to purchase two clean school buses.

Cape Elizabeth Public Schools has been selected to receive $600,000 in rebate funding to purchase three clean school buses.

Yarmouth Schools has been selected to receive $1,000,000 in rebate funding to purchase five clean school buses.

RSU 57/MSAD 57 has been selected to receive $600,000 in rebate funding to purchase three clean school buses.

RSU 75/MSAD 75 has been selected to receive $200,000 in rebate funding to purchase one clean school bus.

Kittery Public Schools has been selected to receive $400,000 in rebate funding to purchase two clean school buses.

RSU 17/MSAD 17 has been selected to receive $400,000 in rebate funding to purchase two clean school buses.

Saco Public Schools has been selected to receive $400,000 in rebate funding to purchase two clean school buses.

RSU 85/MSAD 19 has been selected to receive $345,000 in rebate funding to purchase one clean school bus.

Brooksville Public Schools has been selected to receive $200,000 in rebate funding to purchase one clean school bus.

RSU 51/MSAD 51 has been selected to receive $400,000 in rebate funding to purchase two clean school buses.

The selections announced today will provide funds to school districts in 47 states and Washington D.C., along with several federally recognized Tribes and U.S. territories. Prioritized school districts in low-income, rural, and Tribal communities make up approximately 45 percent of the selected projects and will receive approximately 67 percent of the total funding. The program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved and overburdened by pollution. 

The EPA Clean School Bus Program was created by 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, which produce zero tailpipe emissions, as well as propane and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, which produce 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. Diesel air pollution 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. Phasing out 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 Clean School Bus Program will save school districts money as they upgrade school bus fleets, replacing existing buses with brand new zero-emission and clean school buses, while freeing up needed resources for schools.

View the full list of Clean School Bus Program awards here.

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