Selma, Montgomery selected to be part of rebates for clean school buses by EPA

The Selma and Montgomery school districts are among others to be part of a $16,910,000 allocation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in rebate funding for the Clean School Bus program. 

The program was created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law by President Joe Biden. 

The rebates will allow for the purchase of more than 51 "clean" school buses that will reportedly be zero emissions and will replace older vehicles run by diesel. The older models using diesel were linked to asthmas and other conditions, said an announcement from Rep. Terri Sewell on Wednesday. 

“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is once again delivering for Alabama!” said Rep. Sewell. “Not only will this funding reduce pollution and make our communities healthier, but it will also save our school districts money and free up resources to invest in the success of our students."

"I was so proud to help make this program possible and I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for this investment into Alabama’s schools."

Selma will receive $1,725,000 in rebate funding to purchase five new school buses for the Lion Electric Co USA Inc. 

Montgomery will receive $690,000 in rebate funding to purchase two school buses also for the Lion Electric Co USA Inc. 

“This is a great development for these school systems to better serve their communities with clean emission vehicles, while also updating their transportation fleet by leveraging federal dollars,” said Casey Foster, fleet manager for the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition. 

“We look forward to continuing to work with school systems and help them find innovative ways to meet their transportation needs through the use of alternative fuel vehicles. We thank Alabama Power and the APGA for supporting this targeted and strategic approach to educating school systems about the benefits of alternative fuel buses.”

For more information, see the full announcement here.