Costa Announces $13 Million for Clean School Buses Across the Central Valley

FRESNO, Calif – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) announced $13 million in federal funding to purchase new clean school buses for School Districts across the Central Valley. Fresno and Selma Unified will receive a combined $8 million in federal funding. This funding was made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Costa helped pass in Congress.

“Fleets of clean electric school buses are coming to the San Joaquin Valley thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These investments will improve the air we breathe and save money for our school districts while building a more sustainable future for our children,” said Representative Jim Costa.

The following School Districts in California’s 21st Congressional District received funding:

• Fresno Unified has been selected to receive $6,625,000 in rebate funding to purchase twenty-five clean school buses.

• Selma Unified has been selected to receive $1,380,000 in rebate funding to purchase four clean school buses.

Other Central Valley School Districts that were awarded federal funding, include:

• Caruthers Unified has been selected to receive $345,000 in rebate funding to purchase one clean school bus.

• Los Banos Unified has been selected to receive $2,415,000 in rebate funding to purchase seven clean school buses.

• Sierra Unified has been selected to receive $800,000 in rebate funding to purchase four clean school buses.

• Wasco Union Elementary has been selected to receive $1,380,000 in rebate funding to purchase four clean school buses.

BACKGROUND
Created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA Clean School Bus Program received an unprecedented $5 billion to transform the nation’s school bus fleet. The Program funds electric buses, which produce zero tailpipe emissions, and propane and compressed natural gas buses, which produce lower tailpipe emissions than their older diesel predecessors.

The EPA will also make selections through additional funding rounds and other programs. For example, the EPA is accepting applications for the 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program until 11:59 PM ET on July 25, 2024. This program offers up to $932 million in available funding, 70% of which the EPA anticipates awarding to help pay for new, zero-emission Class 6 or 7 school buses.