Lehigh Times

Thanks to President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, 11 school districts across Pennsylvania will be getting “clean buses,” in an effort to be climate conscience while also being mindful of the health of the students aboard the buses.

According to a release by Gov. Tom Wolf on October 26, $34.6 million in federal funds will go toward 89 new clean buses to be distributed. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included a $5 billion investment over five years for low and zero-emission school buses. 

“These investments into clean vehicles will pay dividends for these districts, saving them on fuel costs and improving air quality,” said Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Ramez Ziadeh. 

Gov. Wolf said that these new buses will decrease air pollution around schools and children. He thanked President Biden for making it a priority to reduce pollution and for including funds in his infrastructure plan to do so.

“Families rely on school buses to safely transport their children to and from school and related activities,” Wolf said. “We ensure that these buses are safe and that should include safe for our children’s lungs and environment.”

Various Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) programs are responsible for grant funding for the buses. The Driving PA Forward program includes grants for Class 8 clean diesel and electric vehicles. The Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program is for school districts to use alternative fuels and electric vehicles. It also provides grants for alternative fuel refueling and EV charging stations.

Department of Education Acting Secretary Eric Hagarty praised the use of the funds for clean buses.

“Thousands of school buses transport students to and from school each day in cities and towns across the commonwealth, so these grants will go a long way toward reducing our carbon footprint and ensuring reliable, safe, and clean transportation for Pennsylvania’s most precious cargo — our children,” said Pennsylvania Department of Education Acting Secretary Eric Hagarty. 

The number of buses and the amount of grant money used are as follows:

• Bradford County: Troy Area School District, Rohrer Enterprises Inc., $2.76 million for seven buses 
• Dauphin County: Halifax Area School District, Rohrer Enterprises Inc., $1.97 million for five buses
• Dauphin County: Harrisburg City School District, Wolfington Body Company Inc.$3.95 million for 10 buses 
• Dauphin County: Steelton-Highspire School District, $2.58 million for seven buses
• Lackawanna County: Scranton School District, Rohrer Enterprises Inc., $9.87 million for 25 buses
• Luzerne County: Greater Nanticoke Area School District, Rohrer Enterprises Inc., $5.9 million for 15 buses
• Mifflin County: Mifflin County School District, Wolfington Body Company Inc., $790,000 for two buses
• Potter County: Northern Potter School District, Rohrer Enterprises Inc., $790,000 for two buses
• Tioga/Lycoming Counties: Southern Tioga School District, Brightbill, M A Body Works Inc., $30,000 for one bus
• Washington County: Washington School District, Navistar Inc., $3.16 million for eight buses
• Washington County: Avella Area School District, Navistar Inc., $2.76 million for seven buses