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WASHINGTON, DC– The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today over $735 million in awards through the EPA Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Program (CHDVP), which allocates 70% of the funding for electric school buses. The program was established by the Inflation Reduction Act and helps grantees replace Class 6 & 7 vehicles with zero-emission electric models.
In response, Moms Clean Air Force’s Director of Federal Policy Melody Reis issued the following statement:
“Thanks to clean energy investments, more electric trucks and buses—including electric school buses—are poised to roll onto our roads, bringing good jobs and cleaner air with them. These are both big wins for our families. Moms know that families thrive with economic stability, and cleaner air is a win for everyone’s health. Our children are among those who will benefit most from reductions in tailpipe pollution. They breathe faster than adults, and their developing bodies are more vulnerable to the health harms associated with tailpipe pollution. Even better? This grant selection process prioritized projects in communities with poor air quality, meaning that cleaner air is coming to the families who need it most.”
EPA’s CHDVP selected applications from 27 states, including Arizona and Florida.
“The exhaust that comes out of diesel school buses doesn’t just smell bad—it’s harmful to our health,” says Moms Clean Air Force Southwest Field Organizer Ylenia Aguilar. “Yet, so many of our children ride these buses and breathe in the tailpipe pollution day in and day out. That’s why these federal funds are so critical. They are projected to help Arizona schools replace more than 25 aging school buses with clean, electric models, giving our kids the clean ride to school that they deserve!”
“More electric buses mean cleaner air for our kids to breathe, which is good for both their physical and mental health,” says Moms Clean Air Force Florida Field Organizer Lorna Perez. “I’m thrilled that EPA has approved applications that could bring over $15 million in funding to school districts in Florida, helping them replace fossil fuel school buses with zero-emissions electric ones!”
LEARN MORE ABOUT ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES.