New Hampshire celebrates $31 million for 110 new clean school buses across nine school districts

New Hampshire celebrates $31 million for 110 new clean school buses across nine school districts

August 14, 2024

CONCORD, NH (Aug. 14, 2024) - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen and City of Concord officials to celebrate the $31 million New Hampshire received as part of the 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate awards, funded by President Biden's Investing in America agenda.

The rebates will help selectees purchase 110 clean school buses and charging infrastructure in nine school districts across New Hampshire - helping New Hampshire accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles by replacing older, diesel-fueled school buses, which have been linked to asthma and other conditions that harm the health of students and surrounding communities.

"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." said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "The Biden-Harris Administration believes every child deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy life and breathe clean air, and the Investing in America agenda is designed to deliver just that."

"Today, I was excited to celebrate in Concord more than $30 million for 11 Granite State school districts to supply 117 new, zero-emission electric school buses. Replacing older diesel buses makes a big difference for kids' health and air quality in our communities. I couldn't be prouder to deliver this lasting investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in the future of New Hampshire communities," said U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

"Clean energy school buses are good for students' health, lower costs for our communities, and help us combat climate change," said U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan. "I am pleased that the bipartisan infrastructure law is continuing to deliver for New Hampshire by increasing the number of electric school buses in our state."

"Transitioning our transportation sector to clean, renewable energy is key to mitigating the worst impacts of climate change, and our local communities and schools can play a significant role in cutting harmful emissions," said U.S. Representative Ann Kuster. "These resources made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will improve the health and well-being of our children and environment while lowering fuel and maintenance costs for communities."

"Clean school buses will benefit our children, environment, and local communities by providing cleaner air, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and saving taxpayer dollars," said U.S. Representative Chris Pappas. "This smart investment will support the acquisition of over a hundred clean school buses across New Hampshire that are safer for children and more reliable for our school districts. I helped pass the bipartisan infrastructure law that delivered these federal funds back to our state, and I will continue supporting efforts that invest in public health and our future."

The 2023 Clean School Bus rebates will help selectees purchase 110 clean school buses in nine school districts across New Hampshire:

• Litchfield SAU Office has been selected to receive $2,760,000 in rebate funding to purchase eight clean school buses and charging infrastructure.
• Derry Cooperative SAU Office has been selected to receive $8,665,000 in rebate funding to purchase 25 clean school buses and charging infrastructure.
• Hudson School District has been selected to receive $3,200,000 in rebate funding to purchase 16 clean school buses and charging infrastructure.
• Concord SAU Office has been selected to receive $1,035,000 in rebate funding to purchase three clean school buses and charging infrastructure.
• Nashua SAU Office has been selected to receive $6,830,000 in rebate funding to purchase 22 clean school buses and charging infrastructure.
• Lisbon Regional School District has been selected to receive $345,000 in rebate funding to purchase one clean school bus and charging infrastructure.
• Moultonborough School District has been selected to receive $2,415,000 in rebate funding to purchase seven clean school buses and charging infrastructure.
• Hanover School District has been selected to receive $600,000 in rebate funding to purchase three clean school buses and charging infrastructure.
• Pembroke School District has been selected to receive $5,000,000 in rebate funding to purchase 25 clean school buses and charging infrastructure.

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 with an overwhelming response from school districts across the country seeking to purchase electric and clean school buses. Given the level of demand, including from low-income communities, Tribal nations and U.S. territories, the EPA doubled the initial amount of available funding in this round to a total of nearly $1 billion.

About the Clean School Bus Program

The EPA Clean School Bus Program was created by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides an unprecedented $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.

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.

The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from these bus replacements will also help to address the outsized role of the transportation sector in fueling the climate crisis. The Clean School Bus Program will save school districts money as they upgrade school bus fleets, replacing existing buses with brand new zero-emission and clean school buses, while freeing up needed resources for schools.

View the full list of Clean School Bus Program awards.