Wisconsin will receive a total of $25.8 million in federal funds to purchase 72 new electric school buses for 19 school districts, according to announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency.
The investment is part of the agency's Clean School Bus program, which focuses on replacing existing school buses with zero- and low-emission buses. The program — which is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act of 2021 — will invest a total of $5 billion over the next five years.
“Up to 25 million children rely on the bus to get to school every day. Thanks to the Biden-Harris administration, we are making an unprecedented investment in the health of our children, especially in communities overburdened by air pollution,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Reagan said in a statement. “This is just the beginning of our work to build a healthier future, reduce climate pollution and ensure the clean, breathable air that all our children deserve.”
The program aims to address environmental concerns by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and producing cleaner air while helping school districts save money. Recipients were selected through a lottery system, although the program prioritizes low-income, rural and tribal communities. According to the release, 99% of the school districts selected serve these students.
Wisconsin school districts receiving money are located across the state, with some northern districts receiving nearly half the funding. The Minocqua J1 School District will receive $4.7 million for 12 buses, the most of any district in the state. Lac du Flambeau #1 School District and Lakeland Union High School District will each receive $3.95 million to cover 10 buses for their district.
For the first round of funding, the EPA is providing $965 million that will be used to purchase more than 2,400 school buses across the country. Midwestern states, including Wisconsin, will account for about one-fifth of that funding.
“This is one more way that Midwest school leaders care about their kids. These federal dollars awarded will help more children get to and from school on quiet, zero-emission buses that are good for their health and their communities,” said Susan Mundt, Environmental Law and Policy Advocate, in an announcement.
Several other Midwestern states will receive significant investments for clean buses, including Michigan, which will receive $54 million for 138 buses, and Illinois, which will receive $48.3 million for 123 buses.
Some of the other award winning districts in Wisconsin include: five buses for Lomira School District, six buses for Palmyra-Eagle School District Augusta, five buses for Mondovi School District and five buses for Granton School District.
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