STATEMENT: Texas school districts to receive more than $31 million to purchase electric school buses
North Texas to get 60 more clean, zero-emission buses
DALLAS – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Wednesday that it will disburse an additional $31 million from the historic Clean School Bus Program to school districts across Texas. The program, created by President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in November 2021, helps replace diesel buses that spew pollution with mostly zero-tailpipe-emission, electric school buses. Texas school districts have previously received more than $76 million in awards.
This latest round of funding will help 19 more school districts replace 121 diesel buses in Texas. The vast majority of school buses in the state still run on diesel, a fossil fuel that increases global warming emissions and has been linked to serious health risks, including increased rates of respiratory illness and cancer. The risks are especially pronounced in children and have also been linked to poor academic performance. Each electric school bus can save school districts nearly $2,000 a year in fuel costs and $4,400 a year in reduced maintenance costs.
Wylie ISD in Collin County was awarded the largest grant in Texas, receiving $4.4 million to purchase 22 electric school buses. In north Texas, Bluff Dale ISD will use the funds to purchase 10 electric buses, Valley View ISD 8, Cedar Hill ISD 10 and Princeton ISD 10.
The funds also will pay for three propane buses for Kermit ISD. Despite producing lower emissions than their diesel counterparts, these buses will still expose students to toxic pollution and contribute to the climate crisis. Electric buses remain the best choice for public health, the environment and school district budgets.
In response, Ian Seamans, North Texas City Hall Advocate for Environment Texas Research and Policy Center, said:
“Our kids go to school to improve their future prospects. But unless we move away from planet-warming fossil fuels, we put that future at risk. Thanks to these EPA investments, we’re passing more milestones en route to ensuring that our kids will inherit a liveable planet.
“Electric school buses are the smart choice when it comes to eliminating toxic tailpipe emissions. We urge all school districts to go electric as soon as possible–our kids’ lungs can’t wait for cleaner air.”
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