May 30, 2024

Merkley, Wyden Announce $22.6 Million for Oregon School Districts to Transition to Clean School Buses

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding over $22.6 million to 15 school districts around Oregon through its 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition.

The federal investment will help replace 96 older buses in school districts across the state with new electric or propane buses. This will further accelerate both Oregon and the nation’s transition from diesel to low-and zero-emission vehicles—improving air quality, advancing environmental justice, boosting the economy, and creating good-paying jobs.

“Every child—regardless of the color of their skin, their zip code, or how much money their parents make—should be able to travel to and from school without having to be exposed to dangerous air pollutants that drive asthma and other diseases,” Merkley said. “These continued historic investments will help support several Oregon school districts—including small and rural school districts—purchase electric school buses to keep the air cleaner for our kids and save school districts money. I’ll keep fighting for the investments and legislation we need to upgrade school bus fleets around Oregon.”

“For Oregon children and their communities, clean air is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” Wyden said. “We need to continue with forward-thinking investments like this that support local economies, schools and our children, while paving the way for a cleaner future.” 

The Clean School Bus Program is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is providing $5 billion to overhaul the country’s school bus fleet. Earlier this year, Merkley and Wyden announced federal awards benefiting seven Oregon school districts through the grant program, including $20 million to Beaverton School District for 50 new electric school buses.

Rebates are also essential for school districts to transition to clean school buses. Last September, the EPA announced the availability of at least $500 million for its 2023 Clean School Bus rebates, but given the overwhelming demand, including in low-income communities and Tribal nations, EPA doubled the amount of available funding to nearly $1 billion.

Oregon school districts receiving rebate funding can be found below:

  • Pendleton School District has been selected to receive $4,165,000 in rebate funding to purchase 13 electric school buses.
  • Morrow School District has been selected to receive $2,800,000 in rebate funding to purchase 14 electric school buses.
  • Elkton School District has been selected to receive $2,070,000 in rebate funding to purchase six electric school buses.
  • Gresham-Barlow School District has been selected to receive $2,020,000 in rebate funding to purchase 10 electric school buses.
  • La Grande School District has been selected to receive $2,020,000 in rebate funding to purchase 10 electric school buses.
  • McMinnville School District has been selected to receive $2,000,000 in rebate funding to purchase 10 electric school buses.
  • Neah-Kah-Nie School District has been selected to receive $1,725,000 in rebate funding to purchase five electric school buses.
  • Umatilla School District has been selected to receive $1,600,000 in rebate funding to purchase eight electric school buses.
  • North Douglas School District has been selected to receive $1,380,000 in rebate funding to purchase four electric school buses.
  • Yoncalla School District has been selected to receive $1,035,000 in rebate funding to purchase three electric school buses.
  • North Marion School District has been selected to receive $910,000 in rebate funding to purchase five electric school buses.
  • Hood River County School District has been selected to receive $400,000 in rebate funding to purchase two electric school buses.
  • Corbett School District has been selected to receive $200,000 in rebate funding to purchase one electric school bus.
  • Ashland School District has been selected to receive $200,000 in rebate funding to purchase one electric school bus.
  • Eugene School District has been selected to receive $100,000 in rebate funding to purchase four propane school buses.

“EPA’s Clean School Bus Program is a breath of fresh air for our students, schools and communities,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “Diesel pollution is linked to asthma and other conditions that harm students’ health, with impacts felt disproportionately in communities of color and Tribal communities. Clean School Bus grants provide much-needed resources for school districts to upgrade aging fleets, replacing diesel buses with new zero-emission and clean school buses. Pulling older diesel buses off the road will ensure cleaner air for students, bus drivers, and school staff.”

In this third round of funding through the Clean School Bus Program rebate competition, funds are being provided for school districts in 47 states, along with several federally recognized Tribes. EPA is expected to make more funds available for clean school buses this year.

For a full list of Clean School Bus Program awards, click HERE.

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