Environmental Protection Agency News Release, May 20, 2022
“This historic investment under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will forever transform school bus fleets across the United States,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “These funding opportunities to replace older, heavily-polluting buses will result in healthier air for many of the 25 million American children who rely on school buses, many of whom live in overburdened and underserved communities. Today we take a major step toward a future where clean, zero-emissions school buses are the American standard.”
“This new funding can make a big impact for children across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska and the nine tribal nations here,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meghan A. McCollister. “I urge all eligible school districts, tribes, and school bus operators to make the time this summer to apply for Clean School Bus rebates. Applications will be accepted until August 19, 2022. Over the next five years, this program will deliver $5 billion to school districts to improve our bus fleets and improve health and safety for our kids and communities.” Questions about applying may be directed to CleanSchoolBus@epa.gov.
Read the entire news release here.
Note: This is the first competition that EPA is running through the Clean School Bus program. The Agency will also launch a grant competition later this year. Further Clean School Bus competitions funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be run every year over the next five years. To learn more about the rebate programs, applicant eligibility, selection process, and informational webinar dates, visit www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus.
Links to more information:
- 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates – Prioritized School Districts
- Learn more about EPA Region 7 here.
- Portal for news and information about EPA’s efforts in Nebraska and Nebraska environmental conditions: EPA in Nebraska
Links to U.S. PIRG Reports & Blog
- Electric School Buses and the Grid: Unlocking the power of school transportation to build resilience and a clean energy future
- Electric Buses in America: Lessons from Cities Pioneering Clean Transportation
- Electric school buses can clean up our energy and transportation systems — at the same time
UPCOMING DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WEBINAR
180 Day Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Briefing, Monday, May 23rd at 10:30 am CT
The U.S. Department of Energy is hosting this 30-minute webinar with Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Infrastructure Kathleen Hogan to provide updates on the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and to share the progress made in its first 180 days. The webinar will feature updates on the $10 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding already released as well as a preview of upcoming funding opportunities. In addition, it will highlight how equity and the Justice40 initiative are being incorporated into BIL programs and allow time for a Q&A. Submit your questions via the link in your registration confirmation email.
UPDATED DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CAREER MAPS
For anyone seeking a job in clean energy, DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has created various interactive and user-friendly maps to help you think about what your career can look like in clean energy. Each map is organized into easily navigated sections based on degreed versus vocational careers, making for clearer roles and paths.
ALSO OF POTENTIAL INTEREST
- Energy storage important to creating affordable, reliable, deeply decarbonized electricity systems, Massachusetts Institute of Technology News. This MIT Energy Initiative report supports energy storage paired with renewable energy to achieve clean energy grids.
- Corporate clean energy procurement on track for another record year after adding 11 GW in 2021, Utility Dive
- Adair County to see many benefits from largest solar farm in Missouri when it’s operational, KTVO
FEATURED CLIMATE EDUCATION & ACTION RESOURCES
- UNICEF: Talking to your child about climate change: How to engage children on the issue with hope and positivity. Numerous links to resources are provided.
- Talk Climate.Org resource pages are designed to support justice-based climate education, to provide guidance for productive and empowering climate conversations, and to offer ways to take climate action.