REC is excited to announce an opportunity to support a new federal grant for local schools to purchase all-electric electric school buses.
“This chance to get a free electric school bus is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our schools,” said Joyce Bodoh, REC’s Director of Energy Solutions and Clean Energy. “It makes the benefits of an electric fleet more accessible to areas that would otherwise have a hard time doing so. REC is excited and ready to support these partnerships.”
In May 2022 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced details of the new Clean School Bus program, including a list of school districts identified as priorities for funding. The EPA is now accepting applications from eligible organization for a $500 million rebate program covering the purchase of electric school buses and related charging infrastructure.
The first round of applications are due by Aug. 19, 2022.
The program gives priority to schools serving high percentages of children living below the poverty line, to high-need schools and schools in both rural and low-income areas. Priority schools are eligible to receive $395,000 per bus and apply for up to 25 buses and receive $20,000 to cover electric vehicle infrastructure. Those eligible include state and local entities responsible for providing school bus services, such as local governments and schools; for-profit, not-for- or non-profit contractors that have the capacity to sell electric school buses and related equipment; nonprofit school transportation associations; and Native American tribes.
Those interested can access a list of priority schools and information on eligible recipients on the EPA’s website.
“REC is proud to be a local partner with the school bus initiative,” Bodoh added. “We highly encourage the schools in our service area to apply for this opportunity.”
