Palmyra-Eagle to receive electric buses thanks to EPA grant program

Alec Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·3 min read
One of the Palmyra-Eagle Area School District's six electric school buses is shown here. The buses were acquired thanks to a $2.4 million grant awarded from the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Bus Program.
One of the Palmyra-Eagle Area School District's six electric school buses is shown here. The buses were acquired thanks to a $2.4 million grant awarded from the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Bus Program.

A southeast Wisconsin school district is the latest district in the state to receive a grant enabling it to purchase electric buses.

The Palmyra-Eagle Area School District, in collaboration with its bus transportation provider, Dousman Transport Co., announced in a news release the electric school buses, which were funded through the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Program.

Here's what to know about the district's new buses and the Clean School Bus Program.

Why does the district want electric buses?

Electric buses "will lead to healthier communities and smoother, quieter rides for students," the district news release said. It said the electric buses can travel about 135 miles when fully charged. About 325 students currently ride district school buses.

In an interview, Palmyra-Eagle School District Superintendent Ryan Krohn said the district and Dousman Transport agree the electric buses are a good fit for the district, both environmentally and financially. He also said the district's bus routes were ideal for the buses too.

"So once we saw some of those initial pieces lined up — not just environmentally and financially but just with the partnership with Dousman Transport and with our own size and infrastructure, we thought it was something worth applying for," Krohn said.

How much in funding did the Palmyra-Eagle School District receive for the buses?

The district, in partnership with Dousman Transport, received $2.4 million to help the district purchase and install six buses and the supporting electronic charging infrastructure. The buses were purchased through IC Bus, the district's news release said.

Dousman Transport Co. President Larry Kirkley said in a phone interview the grant money covered the purchase of the six buses and part of the cost of the charging infrastructure. Kirkley said Dousman Transport paid the difference between the entire cost of the charging station equipment and installation and the $120,000 grant money applied toward the equipment and installation.

In a separate interview, Krohn said two of the six buses have been delivered, and the chargers and infrastructure are installed. He said the two drivers who will be driving the two buses that the district already has are receiving training to drive them.

What is the EPA's Clean Bus Program?

The program provides grant funding to eligible school districts "to incentivize and accelerate the replacement of existing school buses with clean and Zero Emissions (ZE) school buses," according to the EPA's website.

One of the Palmyra-Eagle Area School District's electric school buses is shown here with the hood raised to reveal its electric engine.
One of the Palmyra-Eagle Area School District's electric school buses is shown here with the hood raised to reveal its electric engine.

The grant allows for school buses with internal-combustion engines to be replaced by those that run on electric, propane or compressed natural gas, and also allows for the purchase of electric vehicle supply equipment infrastructure and that equipment's installation

The grant prioritized funding to replace buses serving districts that are high-need school districts and low-income areas, rural school districts, school districts funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and school districts receiving financial support for children residing on American Indian land, according to the EPA's website.

Will any other Wisconsin school districts receive funding to purchase electric school buses?

According to the EPA, Palmyra-Eagle is one of 19 Wisconsin school districts that will receive funding to purchase electric school buses:

  • Augusta

  • Coleman

  • Colfax

  • Edgar

  • Granton Area

  • Highland

  • Lac du Flambeau No. 1

  • Lakeland UHS

  • Lomira

  • Melrose-Mindoro

  • Minocqua J1

  • Mondovi

  • Parkview

  • Pepin Area

  • Random Lake

  • Tri-County Area

  • Wild Rose

  • Winter

There will be a ceremony and celebration Oct. 25

The district is planning a ceremony and celebration of the new buses at 10 a.m. Oct. 25 in the parking lot of the Irving L. Young Community Center at Palmyra-Eagle Middle & High School.

The event will consist of electric bus rides, light refreshments, the opportunity to ask questions about the new buses and clear and sustainable transportation.

Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Palmyra-Eagle to receive electric buses thanks to EPA grant program