Hanson School District among South Dakota schools to receive clean buses as part of federal program

Oct. 27—PIERRE — The Biden-Harris Administration announced the Fiscal Year 2022 recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean School Bus Program rebate competition on Thursday, Oct. 27. President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law awarded $3,600,000 to school districts serving the communities of Alexandria, DeSmet, Garretson, Lower Brule, Viborg and Volga, South Dakota.

Alexandria is home to the Hanson School District.

The grants will help the school districts purchase ten clean school buses — nine electric-powered and one compressed natural gas — that will accelerate the transition to zero emissions vehicles and produce cleaner air in and around schools and communities.

The Clean School Bus Program is expected to 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 diesel engines will also 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.

Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan joined schoolchildren, district leaders and community members in Seattle, Washington, on Wednesday, Oct. 26, to make the announcement and highlight how it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save schools money, and better protect children's health. The investment will also drive demand for American-made batteries and vehicles, boost domestic manufacturing, and create good-paying jobs.

"President Biden's historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is accelerating our nation's transition to electric and low-emission school buses while ensuring a brighter, healthier future for our children," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.

"As many as 25 million children rely on the bus to get to school each day," Regan said. "Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, we are making an unprecedented investment in our children's health, especially those in communities overburdened by air pollution. This is just the beginning of our work to build a healthier future, reduce climate pollution, and ensure the clean, breathable air that all our children deserve."

KC Becker, EPA regional administrator, agreed.

"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering cleaner air and healthier environments for school children in communities across the Mountains and Plains region," Becker said. "These zero-emission electric buses will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and eliminate exposure to harmful pollutants such as soot, fine particulates, and nitrogen oxides. We look forward to expanding these efforts through future rounds of clean bus awards for our school districts."

Funding for buses in South Dakota communities includes:

* Alexandria (Hanson School District): $395,000, 1 bus

* DeSmet: $395,000, 1 bus

* Garretson: $1,185,000, 3 buses

* Lower Brule: $395,000, 1 bus

* Viborg: $440,000, 2 buses

* Volga: $790,000, 2 buses

In May, the EPA announced the availability of $500 million for its Clean School Bus Program. Given overwhelming demand from school districts across the country, including in low-income communities, Tribal nations, and territories, the EPA nearly doubled the amount of funding that will be awarded to $965 million. The rebate application period closed in August with an outstanding response from school districts seeking to purchase electric and low-emission school buses across the country.

At this time, the agency has selected 389 applications totaling $913 million to support the purchase of 2,463 buses, 95% of which will be electric. EPA will distribute awards to school districts in all 50 states, Washington D.C., along with several federally recognized Tribes and U.S. territories. School districts identified as priority areas serving low-income, rural or Tribal students make up 99% of the projects that were selected. More applications are under review, and the agency plans to select more to reach the full $965 million in the coming weeks.

Those school districts who received an award can proceed with purchasing new buses and eligible infrastructure. Selectees will need to submit forms with purchase orders demonstrating they have ordered new buses and eligible infrastructure. The EPA is also partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Transportation to provide school districts with robust technical assistance to ensure effective implementation.

These awards are the first $1 billion of a five-year, $5 billion program created by Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The EPA is also designing the next rounds of program funding to launch in the coming months, which will include an ambitious grant competition.

Through future rounds of funding, the EPA will make available another $1 billion for clean school buses in fiscal year 2023. The EPA stated it is encouraging school districts not selected in the first round of rebates — and those that did not apply this funding cycle — to participate in future rounds.