Branford Public Schools, Connecticut selected to receive over $6 million for Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles as part of Investing in America agenda

Branford Public Schools, Connecticut selected to receive over $6 million for Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles as part of Investing in America agenda

Biden-Harris Administration tentatively selected 70 applicants to receive funding for over 2,400 zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles to tackle climate change, reduce air pollution, and advance environmental justice

December 11, 2024

BOSTON (Dec. 11, 2024) - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Branford Public Schools in Connecticut has been selected to receive $6,329,215 to assist in the purchase of 21 zero-emission vehicles through its first-ever Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program. This project will replace 21 Class 7 fossil-fuel-powered school buses with zero-emission/electric school buses.

EPA's Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant program, created by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, will replace existing internal combustion engine heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission vehicles, while also supporting the build out of clean vehicle infrastructure, as well as the training of workers to deploy these new zero-emission technologies. Together, the selected projects announced today will reduce harmful emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, support good-paying jobs, and improve air quality in communities across the country, particularly in those that have been overburdened by air pollution.

"Thanks to President Biden, we are accelerating American leadership in developing clean technologies that address the impacts of climate change," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Together, the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant projects announced today will slash air pollution and enhance the country's infrastructure for cleaner transportation solutions, creating good-paying jobs along the way."

"Everyone deserves clean air and a healthy environment, and the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program is another step toward making that a reality. By replacing older, polluting vehicles, like school buses, with zero-emission alternatives, this program is driving innovation in clean transportation, reducing harmful air pollution in Connecticut communities, and creating good-paying jobs. These grants are an investment in healthier communities, cutting-edge technology, and a cleaner, more sustainable future for our children," said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash.

"This $6 million investment will transform the ride to school for young students in Branford with a new fleet of electric, low-emissions school buses. These climate-friendly school buses will improve air quality for surrounding communities, supporting Connecticut's environmental goals. I'm proud that Inflation Reduction Act funding continues to advance clean energy in our state," said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal.

"This $6.3 million investment in Branford Public Schools is a victory for our children's health, our environment, and our economy," said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. "Replacing aging school buses with zero-emission vehicles ensures cleaner air for students and our communities while advancing cutting-edge technology and creating good-paying jobs. This is a transformative step toward a healthier, more sustainable future for Connecticut."

Across the nation, over 3 million Class 6 and Class 7 vehicles are currently in use, spanning a wide variety of vehicle types and vocations. Many of these are older vehicles that emit higher levels of harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter, and greenhouse gases than newer vehicles. This pollution is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular disease, among other serious health problems. Children, older adults, those with preexisting cardiopulmonary disease, and those of lower socioeconomic status are particularly vulnerable to these health impacts. Cleaning up pollution from heavy-duty vehicles helps protect the health of 72 million people living near truck freight routes in America.

EPA's Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program will accelerate the adoption and deployment of eligible Class 6 and 7 zero-emission vehicles. Vehicles eligible for replacement include older vehicles powered by internal combustion engines that pre-date recent EPA emission standards.

In total, EPA announced 70 applicants across 27 states, three Tribal Nations, and one territory have been selected to receive over $735 million to assist in the purchase of over 2,400 zero-emission vehicles through its first-ever Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program.

Proposed replacement vehicles include battery-electric box trucks, cargo trucks, emergency vehicles, refuse/recycling haulers, school buses, shuttle buses, step vans, transit buses, utility vehicles, and other vocational vehicles, as well as a small number of hydrogen fuel cell transit buses. In addition, the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program also funds zero-emission vehicle fueling infrastructure (e.g., electric vehicle charging stations), as well as workforce development and training. These investments support the implementation of the Biden-Harris Administration's National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization and the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy.

Approximately 70% of the funding awarded today will support the purchase of clean school buses, helping provide clean air for children on their ride to school. These awards complement EPA's Clean School Bus program through the President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has awarded nearly $3 billion for nearly 9,000 clean school buses to date.

The Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program advances President Biden's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

EPA prioritized disadvantaged communities facing air quality challenges, including nonattainment with EPA's fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) or high levels of ambient diesel PM. Applications were evaluated on engagement with affected communities, especially local residents, to ensure their meaningful participation with respect to the design, planning, and performance of the project. Approximately $523 million of the funds announced today will be used to fund projects serving communities located in areas in nonattainment with the NAAQS.

In addition to the funding for the replacement of existing internal combustion engine Class 6 and 7 heavy-duty vehicles with eligible Class 6 and 7 zero-emission vehicles, funding may also be used to support zero-emission vehicle adoption and deployment by providing:

• Zero-emission vehicle refueling infrastructure.
• Workforce development and training.
• Project implementation costs.

EPA will work with selected applicants over the coming weeks to finalize awards. EPA currently anticipates finalizing awards in early calendar year 2025 once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. Project implementation will occur over the next two to three years depending on the scope of each project.

Please visit the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program webpage for additional information and updates as EPA works with tentatively selected applicants to finalize awards and implement their projects.

Questions may also be directed to [email protected].

For further information and to stay up to date on matters related to our office, sign up for the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles listserv.

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