EVERETT and LANGLEY, WA – This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $11,148,500 in Clean School Bus grant funding to the Moving Washington’s School Bus Fleet Towards Clean Energy project. The project aims to purchase 33 new electric school buses for 17 school districts in Washington state, including thee buses for Everett School District and one bus for South Whidbey School District.

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), the lead Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, applauded the award and emphasized the importance of investing in cleaner and greener transportation in Northwest Washington.

“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Everett School District and South Whidbey School District will be able to safely transport kids while pulling more pollution out of transportation. Investing in cleaner and greener school bus fleets in Everett, Island County and across Washington state enables communities to build more efficient transportation networks while reducing maintenance costs, creating jobs and improving public health.”

Everett School District and South Whidbey School District will work with EPA Region 10 Project Officers to finalize project plans and purchase their awarded new buses and eligible infrastructure. 

What is the Clean School Bus Program?

EPA’s $5 billion Clean School Bus Program, created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, includes both a grant initiative where selected applicants are awarded funds to purchase buses, and a rebate initiative that allows selectees to receive awards before purchasing eligible buses that replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emission models. With this announcement, the Clean School Bus Program has awarded nearly $2 billion and funded approximately 5,000 electric and low-emission school buses nationwide.

The Clean School Bus Program is Benefiting WA-02 School Districts

The Clean School Bus Program is already benefiting Northwest Washington. In 2022, EPA awarded South Whidbey School District a $395,000 rebate through the Clean School Bus Program to replace an existing school bus with a new electric bus. The EPA is expected to announce another round of rebates in April.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is Working for Northwest Washington

Thanks to Larsen’s leadership, $7.9 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been invested in Washington state infrastructure as of November 2023, with more than 490 specific projects identified for funding statewide. For more information on how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is benefiting Northwest Washington communities, click here.

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