On Wednesday, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition, funded by President Biden's Investing in America agenda. The EPA selected approximately 530 school districts across the United States and U.S. territories to receive nearly $900 million in funds to replace older, diesel fueled school buses.

Among the recipients of the Clean School Bus Program were Brookfield Local Schools of Trumbull County and Campbell City Schools of Mahoning County. Both school districts will be assisted in purchasing 2 new electric buses each.

In September 2023, the EPA announced the availability of at least $500 million for its 2023 Clean School Bus rebates. The rebate application period closed in February 2024. Given the level of demand, the EPA doubled the initial amount of available funding in this round to a total of nearly $1 billion.

"President Biden believes every child deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy life and breathe clean air, and his Investing in America agenda is designed to deliver just that," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "With today's latest round of funding, we are transforming the nation's school bus fleet to better protect our most precious cargo—our kids—saving school districts money, improving air quality, and bolstering American manufacturing all at the same time."

The EPA Clean School Bus Program was created by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides $5 billion of funding to transform the nation's fleet of school buses. The Clean School Bus Program funds electric buses, which produce zero tailpipe emissions, as well as propane and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, which produce lower tailpipe emissions compared to their older diesel predecessors.

According to a press release, the Clean School Bus Program will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money for school districts and produce cleaner air. "Diesel air pollution is linked to asthma and other conditions that harm students' health and cause them to miss school, particularly in communities of color and Tribal communities. Phasing out these older diesel engines will ensure cleaner air for students, bus drivers, and school staff working near the bus loading areas, and the communities through which the buses drive each day."

As a part of this program, $30,385,000 will be awarded to 20 Ohio school districts to provide a total of 97 new electric school buses throughout the state.

“Every child, from Ohio’s cities to our rural communities, should have safe transportation on the way to and from school” said Carol Kauffman, President of the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund. “Electric buses ensure clean air for everyone, so children don’t need to breathe toxic fumes in order to get an education.”