BOSTON — In a move to reduce emissions from its diesel school buses, a school district in Oklahoma has expanded its electric bus fleet. The Shawnee Public Schools, which serves around 3,300 students, made an investment of nearly $1.5 million to buy four electric buses, relying on a reimbursement promise from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Biden administration’s infrastructure law.
After submitting a request for funding in November, the district faced delays due to technical issues. Officials have expressed concern that their efforts to follow through on this investment might not result in the financial support they were promised, as attempts to contact the EPA have gone unanswered.
“Our district made this investment in good faith, expecting the promised rebate,” said John Wiles, the district’s transportation director. “The buses are in service and helping our community, but the absence of reimbursement has created financial stress.”
Shawnee is not alone in facing this dilemma. Over 500 school districts nationwide are still waiting on about $1 billion from the EPA to help cover costs for more than 3,400 electric buses. This situation has created anxiety and uncertainty for many districts, some of which may have to postpone or cancel their plans to purchase electric buses entirely. The National School Transportation Association noted that the funding freeze has been “extremely disruptive” for companies involved in manufacturing and supplying these vehicles.
Details surrounding the delay of funds from the EPA remain unclear, with no explanation provided by the agency. A spokesperson mentioned that the EPA would not comment on any pending litigation related to this issue, as multiple lawsuits are currently urging for the release of federal funds that have been trapped due to action by various federal agencies.
Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, has taken initiative by urging EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for clarity on this funding freeze. He highlighted the significance of this financial support for districts seeking to enhance their transportation systems while reducing pollution. Without this funding, school administrators may face difficult financial choices that could adversely affect students.
The interest in transitioning to electric school buses has historically garnered bipartisan support, with many believing that this shift could effectively tackle climate change, lead to healthier children, and yield long-term savings for school districts.
Currently, more than 25 million students in the U.S. rely on aging diesel buses for their daily commute. Sadly, students from lower-income and minority backgrounds are more likely to depend on these aging vehicles, which expose them to dangerous pollutants that can lead to severe health problems like asthma and heart disease.
Many advocates argue that while electric buses involve a higher initial cost, they can actually save districts money in the long run through lower fuel and maintenance expenses.
The Electric School Bus Program, initiated as part of the Biden administration’s infrastructure law, allocated $5 billion over five years to assist school districts in transitioning from polluting buses to cleaner electric models.
As of now, this program has had three funding rounds, with nearly $1 billion released in the first round, benefiting around 400 school districts. However, with ongoing delays, districts from diverse backgrounds—rural and urban alike—are being impacted. For instance, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina and Baltimore County Public Schools are among those awaiting millions in funding to purchase electric buses.
In New Hampshire, Derry Cooperative School District is in a particularly tough spot, relying on $8.1 million in EPA funding for 25 electric buses. The district’s transportation coordinator expressed disappointment, suggesting that the current administration is ignoring the need for greener policies and favoring fossil fuel interests.
The ongoing delays and uncertainty surrounding the funding for electric school buses present significant challenges for school districts and underscore the need for clarity and commitment from federal agencies.
