Several Illinois school districts will receive millions of federal grant dollars to purchase electric school buses to replace gas-powered buses, Board of Education officials said.
Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced On December 19, it was awarded a $19.9 million grant from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiative, “made possible by President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.”
initiative, is called Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Grant (CHDV) program, is providing more than $400 million to communities across the country in areas that have been designated as “non-achieving.” National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
Nearly $20 million to nine Illinois school districts to replace 70 traditional school buses with “zero-emission” electric buses, as well as install electric vehicle charging stations for each new bus and conduct workforce training to “support” Will be distributed. These new technologies,” ISBE said.
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Governor JB Pritzker (D-IL) said in the press release, “With this funding, we are building on our progress toward a more sustainable future by providing resources to nine school districts to advance their clean energy goals ” “Through the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Fee Grant Program, these districts will receive electric school buses, charging infrastructure and workforce training – reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality. Thanks to our federal and local partners, we are creating healthier and cleaner environments for students and communities across the state.
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“Clean transportation solutions not only create healthy living and learning environments for our students but also save money for our school districts and taxpayers,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. “I am proud of our staff at the Illinois State Board of Education for winning this competitive grant and securing this valuable investment in Illinois’ clean energy future.”
Forest Park School District 91 will get five new buses, Franklin Park School District 84 will get three, Hazel Crest School District 152.5 will get one, Joliet Township High School District 204 will get ten, Lincolnshire-Prairie View District 103 will get four, Marengo Union Elementary CSD 165, Two Township High School District 113 will get three, Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C. At-large will receive 32 buses, and Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 will also receive 10 buses.
The board said the grant money will also fund two full-time ISBE employees who will work to “support grant implementation” and “other green energy initiatives.”
