Rep. Neguse Announces $790,000 Grant for Low-No Emission School Buses in Grand County

Today, Congressman Joe Neguse applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8's announcement naming East Grand School District as a winner of a 2022 Clean School Bus Rebate. The $790,000 in funding awarded to East Grand School District is part of a larger $965 million nationwide investment, made possible by the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

"As communities across America continue our work towards a renewable energy future, I am excited that the EPA has taken yet another step to support their efforts. The $790,000 in funding they've awarded to the East Grand School District will help to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models. Together we are building a cleaner, greener Colorado," said Congressman Joe Neguse.

The EPA's Clean School Bus Program provides $5 billion over the next five years from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models.

"We are excited for the opportunity to receive these funds and put daily electric buses on the road to deliver and return our students from school. We also are equally excited to replace some of our oldest and outdated buses in our fleet. We are entering a new era in our transportation department that will require new learning and internal growth. We are in the business of learning and will model these new lessons like we want all to do in our district. We hope to engage community partners as we move forward to ensure we collaboratively build a stronger understanding and infrastructure in transportation. We look forward to learning together," said East Grand School District Superintendent, Brad Ray.

"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering cleaner air and healthier environments for school children in communities across the Mountains and Plains region," said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. "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."

Congressman Joe Neguse has been a staunch advocate for clean energy transportation. In August, Representative Neguse secured over $34 million in funding from the Low or No Emission (Low-No) Grant Program and the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program for Colorado's mountain communities. Last year, Representative Neguse and 37 of his colleagues penned a letter to appropriators in Congress requesting funds to support the expansion of low-emission bus transit systems. Representative Neguse has advocated for similar funding, including during this year's Fiscal Year 2023 budget process.

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