Montevideo, MN, November 20, 2023 — Schools across Minnesota have a new opportunity to access Electric School Bus funds through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Rebate Program. To help schools and communities learn more about electric school buses, the rebate program, and how to apply, there are two upcoming webinars. The first, Electric School Bus Lunch & Learn will be on Thursday, November 30 from 12 – 1 PM and the second, Leading the Charge: Electric School Buses and You will be on Thursday, December 14 from 6 – 7 PM. The Coalition for Clean Transportation with MN350, Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate (HPHC), and CURE are hosting this educational panel all about how electric school buses work, what it takes to get one in your district, and success stories from districts that already have them. Register for the Electric School Bus Webinars at https://curemn.org/electric-school-buses-learn-more/ .
Big Health Benefits for kids!
Electric school buses are the clean ride that every kid deserves. Unlike diesel buses, electric school buses don’t have any tailpipe emissions full of harmful pollutants that can cause asthma, health, and cognitive development problems in students. Kids in rural communities can see some of the biggest health impacts when schools switch to electric school buses because they have longer bus rides. The same is true with student athletes who have long bus rides to competitions and games across the region—harmful diesel bus pollutants can have an impact on their athletic performance and long-term health.
Minnesota schools can’t get electric school bus funds if they don’t apply!
Last year only 30 Minnesota schools applied and only four electric school buses were funded in Minnesota. Minnesota is lagging behind other states in the Midwest. For example, Michigan received 138 electric school buses and even South Dakota received seven electric school buses.
Money savings for schools and less polluting!
School budgets are always tight and electric school buses can be an annual money saver. On average, electric school buses save schools $4000-$11,000 per year per bus in fuel and maintenance costs. Diesel bus exhaust contains nitrogen oxides (NOX), harmful small particulate matter (PM2.5), and high levels of carbon emissions. Electric school buses result in clean air for everyone!
Who is eligible to apply?
The Clean School Bus Rebate program is open to more than just school districts, Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations, nonprofit school transportation associations, school bus service providers and private school bus fleets that provide school bus transportation services, are all eligible to apply directly to the program on school districts’ behalf with their approval.
All school districts are eligible to receive funding; 60% of the funds are designated for priority districts which include rural school districts, and the remaining 40% of funds are for all districts. The $500 million Rebate Program is open until January 31, 2024, and it’s not too late to start applying!
Join the webinars to learn what you need to do to bring an Electric School Bus to your district!
CURE knows that rural Minnesota, its people and its lands, are vital to solving some of the biggest problems facing us today. Our staff, located across the state, help tell the stories of a vibrant rural future, lift up its people to lead, and together, work for policies and practices to make a better future a reality for everyone.
Health Professionals for a Health Climate (HPHC) is a Minnesota-based organization that aims to: Educate health care professionals and institutions on the public health implications of climate change.
MN350 unites Minnesotans as part of a global movement to end the pollution damaging our climate, speed the transition to clean energy, and create a just and healthy future for all.
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