EPA's Regan announces funding for electric school buses at Nanticoke

Apr. 24—NANTICOKE — At Greater Nanticoke Area High School on Monday, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan said the Biden Administration is taking another key step toward reducing climate pollution and building a healthier future where all children will have the clean, breathable air that they deserve.

Regan was in Luzerne County to announce that the Greater Nanticoke Area School District has received $6 million for the purchase of 15 new electric powered buses. The buses were purchased from Rohrer Enterprises, Duncannon.

Regan also announced that an additional $400 million will be added to the grant program to fund clean school buses and reduce emissions and protect the environment.

Regan said that so far, Pennsylvania has been awarded $34.6 million from EPA's clean school bus program.

"President Biden's Investing in America agenda is already transforming school bus fleets across the nation, passing on cost savings to districts while improving air quality," Regan said. "With new grant funding available, we will accelerate our work to transition to electric and low-emission school buses further and faster than ever before."

Regan said under President Biden's Investing in America agenda, funding from EPA's Clean School Bus Program will improve air quality in and around schools and communities, save schools money, create good-paying clean energy jobs and reduce greenhouse gas pollution, protecting people and the planet.

Regan was joined at the news conference by Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor to the President and White House Infrastructure Coordinator; U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton; U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic; Greater Nanticoke Area Superintendent Ronald Grevera; and student Sophia Lukowski, who introduced Regan.

The grants are made possible by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides an unprecedented $5 billion to transform the nation's fleet of school buses.

Greater Nanticoke Area is part of the first round of grant funding available and follows the nearly $1 billion the Biden-Harris Administration awarded through the rebate competition last year to fund electric and low-emission school buses across school districts.

"President Biden and Vice President Harris believe our kids deserve cleaner school buses, which will improve the health of communities and reduce emissions," Landrieu said. "Communities will also benefit from cleaner air and energy savings by replacing old, dirty diesel school buses with cleaner alternatives."

Casey said clean school buses mean that students are breathing cleaner air and districts are saving money.

"This commonsense solution is a win-win," Casey said. "With more grants to come this year and in the years to follow, more communities in Pennsylvania and across the nation will get this opportunity to set students up for a healthier and brighter future — all thanks to the infrastructure law."

Cartwright added that running the clean, green buses will reduce harmful pollution, improve air quality in and around schools and communities, save money and reduce greenhouse gas pollution.

"This unprecedented investment will protect the safety and well-being of our most treasured resources — our children and our planet," Cartwright said.

Regan said EPA is prioritizing applications that will replace buses serving high-need local education agencies, Tribal school districts funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs or those receiving basic support payments for students living on Tribal land, and rural areas.

Information provided by Regan's office stated eligible applicants for this funding opportunity are:

—State and local governmental entities that provide bus service.

—Public charter school districts.

—Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, or Tribally-controlled schools.

—Nonprofit School Transportation Associations.

—Eligible Contractors (including OEMs, dealers, school bus service providers, and private bus fleets.)

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.