Roughly $18 million of federal funds are being awarded to Michigan school districts to increase the number of electric buses on the streets.
The money is coming from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. A five-year long program that will award schools across the nation a total of $5 billion.
Dan Zbozien is an environmental quality analyst with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. He said switching to clean buses will lead to improved air quality which will benefit the health of children.
According to the EPA, fumes from diesel engines are linked to asthma and other harmful conditions to students’ health.
In a written statement, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the change will allow schools to invest more money into the classrooms since clean school buses cost less to fuel and maintain.
Zbozien says the grant will not only fund buses but also the cost of building their charging stations.
He says there will be additional opportunities for other school districts to receive funds from the EPA as the agency will continue its program through 2027.
