118 more electric school buses coming to Texas

Texas school districts will receive $31.9 million in EPA Clean School Bus grants

Electric school buses charging
Lion Electric | Used by permission

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Wednesday that it will disburse an additional $31.9 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 Texas 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.

Texas school districts awarded Clean School Bus grants for electric buses

OAKWOOD ISD 2
SALADO ISD 10
BLUFF DALE ISD 2
HITCHCOCK ISD 1
TATUM ISD 6
EXCELSIOR ISD 2
MILLER GROVE ISD 3
NATALIA ISD 5
VALLEY VIEW ISD 8
CEDAR HILL ISD 10
EVADALE ISD 2
PRINCETON ISD 10
LITTLE CYPRESS-MAURICEVILLE CISD 11
WEST HARDIN COUNTY CISD 2
LONGVIEW ISD 10
QUEEN CITY ISD 5
WYLIE ISD 22
SAN MARCOS CISD 6
GARY ISD 3

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.

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