Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Clean School Bus Program
School buses travel over four billion miles each year, providing the safest transportation to and from school for
more than 25 million American children every day. However, diesel exhaust from these buses can contribute to air quality problems and has a negative impact on human health, especially for children, who have a faster breathing rate than adults and whose lungs are not yet fully developed. This funding to support low- and zero-emission vehicles that transport our nation’s children will benefit communities across the United States, especially communities that have been historically underserved. Schools bus fleets will benefit by using the newest and cleanest technologies available.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provides $5 billion over five years (FY22-26) for the replacement of existing school buses with low and zero-emission school buses. Under the Clean School Bus Program, half of the available funding is dedicated for zero-emission school buses and half is for clean school buses.
Clean School Bus Awards for EPA Region 4
There have currently been two rounds of funding for this program that have been awarded. The 2022 CSB Rebates were the first round, and the rebate application period closed in August 2022 with an outstanding response from school districts seeking to purchase electric and clean school buses across the country. Nationwide, $875,429,000 was awarded to 372 school districts for the replacement of 2,366 buses. The 2023 CSB Grants was the second round of funding, and the grant application closed in August 2023. Nationwide, $965,000,000 was awarded to 270 school districts for the replacement of 2,737 buses. The tables below show the school districts in Region 4 who were awarded funds for this program.
| School District State | School District Name | Total Number of Buses | Total Awarded |
| GA | Wilkes County | 17 | $2,335,000.00 |
| GA | Clarke County | 10 | $300,000.00 |
| GA | Mcduffie County | 4 | $120,000.00 |
| TN | Weakley County | 4 | $120,000.00 |
| AL | Albertville City | 19 | $7,505,000.00 |
| AL | Fairfield City | 9 | $3,555,000.00 |
| AL | Tuscumbia City | 1 | $395,000.00 |
| FL | Dixie | 23 | $9,085,000.00 |
| FL | Glades | 13 | $5,135,000.00 |
| FL | Lafayette | 3 | $1,185,000.00 |
| GA | Atlanta Public Schools | 25 | $9,875,000.00 |
| GA | Clayton County | 25 | $9,875,000.00 |
| GA | Savannah-Chatham County | 25 | $9,875,000.00 |
| GA | Long County | 10 | $3,950,000.00 |
| GA | Meriwether County | 8 | $3,160,000.00 |
| GA | Macon County | 5 | $1,975,000.00 |
| GA | Tift County | 5 | $1,975,000.00 |
| GA | Union County | 4 | $1,580,000.00 |
| GA | Charlton County | 4 | $1,580,000.00 |
| GA | Chattahoochee County | 4 | $1,580,000.00 |
| GA | Jeff Davis County | 3 | $1,185,000.00 |
| GA | Cook County | 2 | $790,000.00 |
| GA | State Charter Schools Ii- Pataula Charter Academy | 2 | $790,000.00 |
| KY | Carter County | 23 | $9,085,000.00 |
| KY | Bowling Green Independent | 13 | $5,135,000.00 |
| KY | Fleming County | 7 | $2,765,000.00 |
| KY | Caldwell County | 6 | $2,370,000.00 |
| KY | Christian County | 6 | $2,370,000.00 |
| KY | Trigg County | 5 | $1,975,000.00 |
| KY | Leslie County | 3 | $1,185,000.00 |
| KY | Wolfe County | 3 | $1,185,000.00 |
| KY | Barbourville Independent | 1 | $395,000.00 |
| KY | Union County | 1 | $395,000.00 |
| MS | Calhoun Co School Dist | 25 | $9,875,000.00 |
| MS | Jackson Public School District | 25 | $9,875,000.00 |
| MS | Chickasaw Co School Dist | 11 | $4,345,000.00 |
| MS | Vicksburg Warren School Dist | 9 | $3,375,000.00 |
| MS | Choctaw Central High School | 9 | $3,555,000.00 |
| MS | Aberdeen School Dist | 4 | $1,580,000.00 |
| MS | Hollandale School Dist | 4 | $1,580,000.00 |
| MS | Tate Co School Dist | 3 | $1,185,000.00 |
| MS | Grenada School Dist | 2 | $790,000.00 |
| NC | Columbus County Schools | 9 | $3,555,000.00 |
| NC | Bladen County Schools | 5 | $1,975,000.00 |
| NC | Halifax County Schools | 4 | $1,580,000.00 |
| SC | Georgetown 01 | 16 | $6,320,000.00 |
| SC | Oconee 01 | 16 | $6,320,000.00 |
| SC | Orangeburg | 16 | $6,320,000.00 |
| SC | Richland 01 | 16 | $6,320,000.00 |
| SC | Anderson 05 | 12 | $4,740,000.00 |
| SC | Marion 10 | 12 | $4,740,000.00 |
| SC | Sumter 01 | 12 | $4,740,000.00 |
| SC | Abbeville 60 | 8 | $3,160,000.00 |
| SC | Chester 01 | 8 | $3,160,000.00 |
| SC | Dorchester 04 | 8 | $3,160,000.00 |
| SC | Fairfield 01 | 8 | $3,160,000.00 |
| SC | Laurens 56 | 7 | $2,765,000.00 |
| SC | Barnwell 45 | 5 | $1,975,000.00 |
| SC | Anderson 03 | 4 | $1,580,000.00 |
| SC | Jasper 01 | 4 | $1,580,000.00 |
| SC | Mccormick 01 | 4 | $1,580,000.00 |
| TN | Shelby County | 17 | $6,715,000.00 |
| TN | Athens | 5 | $1,975,000.00 |
| TN | Paris | 4 | $1,580,000.00 |
| TN | Mcnairy County | 4 | $1,580,000.00 |
| TN | Wayne County | 4 | $1,580,000.00 |
| TN | Benton County | 2 | $790,000.00 |
| TN | Johnson County | 2 | $790,000.00 |
| TN | Putnam County | 2 | $790,000.00 |
| TN | Union County | 2 | $790,000.00 |
| NC | Mina Charter School Of Lee County | 7 | $2,765,000.00 |
| NC | Discovery Charter School | 6 | $2,370,000.00 |
| SC | Hampton | 8 | $3,160,000.00 |
| School District State | School District Name | Total Number of Buses | Total Awarded |
| GA | Bibb County School District | 25 | $6,275,000.00 |
| MS | Biloxi Public School District | 29 | $11,455,000.00 |
| AL | Birmingham City Schools | 15 | $5,922,558.39 |
| GA | Clayton County Public Schools | 50 | $20,355,000.00 |
| GA | Dekalb County School District | 50 | $20,139,250.36 |
| NC | Cherokee Central Schools | 15 | $5,925,000.00 |
| KY | Fleming County Schools | 17 | $6,943,020.00 |
| FL | Hillsborough County Public Schools | 20 | $7,900,000.00 |
| GA | Marietta City Schools | 15 | $606,695.00 |
| GA | Richmond County | 25 | $9,875,000.00 |
| FL | Miami‐Dade County Public Schools | 50 | $19,750,000.00 |
| FL | Seminole County Public Schools | 15 | $525,000.00 |
| FL | Orange County Public Schools | 20 | $5,000,000.00 |
| NC | Cumberland County Schools | 2 | $20,770,692.00 |
| NC | Maureen Joy Charter School | 4 | $20,770,692.00 |
| NC | Bertie County | 4 | $20,770,692.00 |
| NC | Reaching All Minds Academy | 1 | $20,770,692.00 |
| NC | Emereau Bladen Charter School | 3 | $20,770,692.00 |
| NC | Durham Public Schools | 32 | $20,770,692.00 |
| NC | Granville County Schools | 2 | $20,770,692.00 |
| NC | Johnston County Schools | 8 | $20,770,692.00 |
| NC | Kannapolis City Schools | 1 | $20,770,692.00 |
| NC | Madison County Public Schools | 2 | $20,770,692.00 |
| NC | Richmond County Schools | 2 | $20,770,692.00 |
| FL | Columbia County Public Schools | 6 | $30,660,000.00 |
| FL | Duval County Public Schools | 25 | $30,660,000.00 |
| GA | Carrollton City School District | 10 | $30,660,000.00 |
| GA | Glynn County Schools | 6 | $30,660,000.00 |
| MS | Hinds County School District | 2 | $30,660,000.00 |
| NC | KIPP Halifax College Preparatory | 2 | $30,660,000.00 |
| NC | KIPP Durham College Preparatory | 3 | $30,660,000.00 |
| NC | Durham Public Schools | 6 | $30,660,000.00 |
| NC | Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 27 | $30,660,000.00 |
| TN | Hardin County Schools | 5 | $30,660,000.00 |
| TN | Warren County Schools | 5 | $30,660,000.00 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the grant program different from the rebate program?
The rebate program is a quick and simple application, and the funds are awarded using a random number generated lottery process. The rebate program offers less support and flexibility for the funding. The grant program has a longer and more detailed application process. There will be a full evaluation of the application materials with scoring criteria. The grant program has a longer project period and may offer more support for the recipients. It also includes more funding flexibility, such as covering project implementation costs.
What is the difference between the two sub-programs of the grant program?
The school district sub-program targets a large single fleet turnover that may have been limited by the 25 bus maximum in the rebate program. In order to apply for this sub-program, you must be a single school district. The third-party sub-program targets school districts – particularly small, rural, Tribal, or low-income beneficiaries – that may benefit from third-party technical support, grant administration, and coordination. Eligible entities include nonprofit school transportation associations or eligible contractors, such as OEMs, dealers, and private bus fleets. In order to apply for the third-party sub-program, a minimum of 4 school districts are required.
How many school buses can my district apply for?
For the grant program: If you are applying as a single school district, you can apply for 15 to 50 buses. If you are applying for the third party sub-program, you can apply for 25 to 100 buses.
For the rebate program: Applicants can request up to 25 new buses for each school district.
What infrastructure does the available funding cover?
In addition to the buses, the grant funds cover the charging infrastructure and installations. The funding cannot be used for any infrastructure costs associated with work on the utility’s side of the electrical meter, as shown below. Specific infrastructure costs include the charging equipment, the design and engineering, installation costs – trenching, wiring, electrical upgrades, etc. – and related intelligent equipment and software designed to monitor bus and infrastructure performance. Apart from infrastructure, any workforce development and training expenses are allowable uses of funds.
What are the limitations and requirements of the buses?
The existing diesel buses must be 2010 or older, have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more, and must be fully operational at the time of application in order to get replaced with the clean buses.
The new clean school buses must have a battery electric, compressed natural gas (CNG), or propane drivetrain, must be a new EPA or CARB certified vehicle model 2021 or newer, have a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more, must be purchased not leased, must serve the allocated school district for at least 5 years from the date of delivery, and must not be purchased or otherwise subsidized with any other federal grant funds.
What is the prioritization criteria?
This grant program targets high-need and low-income areas – such as school districts listed in the Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE), school districts located in the US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Title 1-funded public and charter school districts not listed in the SAIPE data, and Title 1-funded large public school districts (more than 35,000 students and/or more than 45 public schools) that do not meet the 20% SAIPE threshold – rural areas under locale code “43-Rural: Remote”, Bureau of Indian Affairs funded school districts, and school districts that receive basic support payments for children who reside on Indian Land. The areas that qualify for prioritization will receive additional points when scoring their application.
What are the first steps I should take to begin the application process for the 2023 Rebate Program?
1. Register for an account on SAM.gov and Grants.gov.
2. Visit the Clean School Bus Website for tools and resources.
3. Have a conversation with your utilities to develop a plan for implementation.
4. Make sure to submit your application by the due date.
For any questions, contact cleanschoolbus@epa.gov.
Joint Office of Energy and Transportation Technical Assistance
The EPA is partnering with The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation and the National Renewable Laboratory to offer clean school bus technical assistance to school districts, including information and tools needed to successfully plan and deploy clean school buses and infrastructure. They have expertise in a wide range of clean school bus deployment topics, such as electric bus basics, charging equipment, utility connections, bus performance, and operational considerations like routing and maintenance. Please contact the Joint Office to learn more or to ask a technical question.