CONTACT: Sasha Tenenbaum
Senior Manager, Media and Public Engagement
stenenbaum@momscleanairforce.org
(917) 887-0146
WASHINGTON, DC—Yesterday, EPA announced nearly $1 billion in grant awards through its Clean School Bus Program. This is approximately double what the agency had originally announced it would award during this funding cycle, and comes as there is high and growing demand for cleaner vehicles on our roads. EPA allocated $7.9 million of this funding to the School District of Philadelphia.
In response, Philadelphia resident and Moms’ Pennsylvania field organizer Brooke Petry issued the following statement:
“For families like mine, who live with asthma, EPA’s announcement yesterday that Philadelphia will be home to 20 new electric school buses is a reason to celebrate.Tailpipe pollution from diesel school buses contributes to unhealthy air quality for ALL kids– those who are riding the buses, those walking to their nearest public transit stop, and those walking to their neighborhood school. Every community member has the right to breathe clean air, young or old, and phasing out polluting diesel buses is a step in the right direction. I applaud the School District of Philadelphia for their advocacy to bring this funding to our students, and EPA for their commitment to cleaner rides for kids!”
Using funds allocated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this is the first round of awards that will be distributed as grants. Last year, the Biden-Harris Administration also awarded school districts nearly $1 billion in clean school bus funding through its rebate competition, which helped bring electric school bus commitments to 49 states.