SAN FRANCISCO (May 29, 2024) – Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition, a key initiative under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The rebates, totaling $91,230,000 for California, will help selectees purchase 380 clean school buses in 47 school districts across the state. This program is a crucial step in California’s journey towards improving children’s health and tackling harmful air pollution, replacing older, diesel-fueled school buses linked to student and community health issues.  

“EPA is proud to take another step in advancing the rollout of electric school buses in California, helping create a future where our children can breathe cleaner air,” said EPA’s Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “I’ve seen firsthand the advantages of these electric buses, with the absence of noxious diesel emissions benefiting students, school staff, and neighboring communities. Thanks to these investments, more electric school buses will be on the road in school districts across California.” 

“I can’t wait to see more zero-emission school buses serving our children thanks to the EPA’s Clean School Bus rebate program. These school buses will help protect our most vulnerable populations from the negative health impacts associated with diesel engines and help mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I’m pleased to announce $950,000 is coming to San Mateo Union High School District, which serves thousands of students in California’s 15th Congressional District. This federal investment will help them purchase five new electric school buses and is a strong signal of support for the heavy-duty electric vehicle industry from the Biden Administration,” said U.S. Representative Kevin Mullin (CA-15). 

The EPA has selected one school district in California’s 15th Congressional District for the FY2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Funding: 

San Mateo Union High has been selected to receive $950,000 in rebate funding to purchase five clean school buses. 

In September 2023, the EPA  announced at least $500 million in available funding nationwide for its 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) rebates. After receiving an overwhelming number of applications from school districts nationwide, including from low-income communities, Tribal nations, and U.S. territories, the EPA doubled the initial available funding in this round to nearly $1 billion.    

This third funding round will build on the almost $2 billion investment from the 2022 Rebates and 2023 Grants to further improve air quality in and around schools, reduce greenhouse gas pollution fueling the climate crisis, and help accelerate America’s leadership in developing the clean vehicles of the future. To ensure effective implementation, the EPA is partnering with other federal agencies through the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to provide school districts with robust technical assistance.  

The selections announced today will provide funds to school districts in 47 states, Washington D.C., and several federally recognized Tribes and U.S. territories. Prioritized school districts in low-income, rural, and Tribal communities comprise approximately 45 percent of the selected projects and will receive approximately 67 percent of the total funding. The program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.   

The EPA is continuing to review selected applications and may make additional awards. The EPA is working with those applicants and will notify them of an award if their application meets all program requirements. As additional selections are finalized, the EPA will update the CSB Awards webpage.   

The EPA will also make selections through additional funding rounds and other programs. For example, the EPA is accepting applications for the 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program until 11:59 PM ET on July 25, 2024. This program offers up to $932 million in available funding, 70% of which the EPA anticipates awarding to help pay for new, zero-emission Class 6 or 7 school buses.  

About the Clean School Bus Program 

Created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA Clean School Bus Program received an unprecedented $5 billion to transform the nation’s school bus fleet. The Program funds electric buses, which produce zero tailpipe emissions, and propane and compressed natural gas buses, which produce lower tailpipe emissions than their older diesel predecessors. 

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 diesel engines will ensure cleaner air for students, bus drivers, and school staff working near the bus loading areas and the communities these buses drive through daily.  

View the complete list of Clean School Bus Program awards here.   

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