**FOR PLANNING PURPOSES**

CONTACT: Emilia.Rowland@mail.house.gov

RSVP HERE

ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY 2/8 @ 2PM:

 Rep. Summer Lee, Moms Clean Air Force, PFT, Pittsburgh School District Parents to Host Press Conference on Impact of New 45 New Electric Buses from EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Program Ahead of Extended 2/14 Grant Deadline

PRESS RSVP HERE

(PITTSBURGH, PA) –  On Thursday, February 8 at 2 PM, Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12) will host a press conference announcing the new $40 million federal grant awarded to First Student to buy 100 electric school buses to dramatically improve air quality in and around schools, advance environmental justice, and combat climate change statewide. Of the 100 electric buses, 45 will be given to the Pittsburgh School District. The speakers will detail the direct impact of the clean buses students’ health and raise awareness of the deadline for Pittsburgh schools to apply for funding, recently extended to Wednesday, February 14th at 4PM ET so that more Pittsburgh schools are able to improve student health by transitioning from diesel buses to electric school buses – each one of which will remove 23 tons of greenhouse gas every year. 

PRESS CONFERENCE DETAILS: 

• WHAT: Press conference in front of bus celebrating the new $40 million award given to Pittsburgh Public Schools for Electric electric school buses
• WHO: U.S. Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12), Vanessa Lynch (Moms Clean Air Force), Kevin King (First Student), Billy Hileman (Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers), Zachary Barber (PennEnvironment), Patrick Campbell (Group Against Smog & Pollution), Pittsburgh School District Parents and Students
• WHEN: Thursday, February 8 at 2:00PM 
• WHERE: Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (10 S 19th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203)

BACKGROUND: In April 2023, EPA announced the availability of $473 million for its 2023 Clean School Bus Grants through a Notice of Funding Opportunity. The grant application period closed in August 2023 with an overwhelming response from applicants seeking to purchase electric and electric school buses. Given the substantial demand and large number of high-scoring applications, from applicants in low-income communities, Justice40 communities, Tribal nations, and territories, EPA has nearly doubled the amount of funding that will be awarded this round to approximately $965 million. 

With the help of Rep. Lee’s office, First Student, Pittsburgh’s Public School bus provider, will receive $40 million to buy 100 buses–among which 45 are expected to stay in the Pittsburgh area.

• This is part of the second year rollout of the Clean School Bus program, the funding of which comes from the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In the first cycle, First Student received funding for 16 electric school buses.
• 1 electric school bus is the equivalent of removing 23 tons of greenhouse gas every year 
• These awards follow over $875 million obligated to new buses from the Clean School Bus Program’s 2022 Rebates, which funded the replacement of 2,366 buses at 372 school districts to further improve air quality in and around schools, advance environmental justice, reduce greenhouse gas pollution fueling the climate crisis, and accelerate America’s leadership in developing the clean vehicles of the future.
  • EPA’s Clean School Bus Program has selected the top 67 applicants to receive this historic investment in their community. Funds will support the purchase of over 2,700 buses, 95% of which will be electric. EPA will distribute awards to selectees in 37 states.
  • Prioritized school districts in low-income, rural, Tribal, and/or Justice40 communities make up approximately 86% of the projects selected for funding. The program delivers on President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
    • Grantees will work with their EPA Regional Project Officers to finalize project plans and purchase their new buses and eligible infrastructure. EPA is also partnering with the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to provide grantees with robust technical assistance to ensure effective implementation. 

PRESS SHOULD RSVP HERE

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