Huffman Secures Funding for Clean School Buses in California’s Second District

May 29, 2024

SAN FRANCISCO (May 29, 2024) – Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition, a key initiative under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The rebates, totaling $91,230,000 for California, will help selectees purchase 380 clean school buses in 47 school districts across the state. This program is a crucial step in California’s journey towards improving children’s health and tackling harmful air pollution, replacing older, diesel-fueled school buses linked to student and community health issues.

"I’ve made it a priority to advance a greener, cleaner America. Thanks to historic legislation by Democrats, we’re accelerating the transition to electric transportation in a system that impacts millions of kids nationwide,” said U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02). “Communities in my district will now get some of their first clean school buses – saving money and improving air quality. This program is an investment in our children, their health, and a cleaner environment for everyone.”

Huffman secured funding for two school districts in CA-02:

  • Leggett Valley Unified has been selected to receive $345,000 in rebate funding to purchase one clean school bus.
  • Old Adobe Union has been selected to receive $200,000 in rebate funding to purchase one clean school bus.

“EPA is proud to take another step in advancing the rollout of electric school buses in California, helping create a future where our children can breathe cleaner air,” said EPA’s Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “I’ve seen firsthand the advantages of these electric buses, with the absence of noxious diesel emissions benefiting students, school staff, and neighboring communities. Thanks to these investments, more electric school buses will be on the road in school districts across California.” 

The EPA has selected the following school districts for the FY2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Funding:

  • Alameda Unified has been selected to receive $1,135,000 in rebate funding to purchase seven clean school buses.
  • Alhambra Unified has been selected to receive $2,090,000 in rebate funding to purchase eleven clean school buses.
  • Arcadia Unified has been selected to receive $200,000 in rebate funding to purchase one clean school bus.
  • Atascadero Unified has been selected to receive $1,400,000 in rebate funding to purchase over seven clean school buses.
  • Aveson School of Leaders District has been selected to receive $650,000 in rebate funding to purchase two clean school buses.
  • Baldwin Park Unified has been selected to receive $1,035,000 in rebate funding to purchase three clean school buses.
  • Cabrillo Unified has been selected to receive $1,400,000 in rebate funding to purchase seven clean school buses.
  • Cajon Valley Union has been selected to receive $1,035,000 in rebate funding to purchase three clean school buses.
  • Caruthers Unified has been selected to receive $345,000 in rebate funding to purchase one clean school bus.
  • Centinela Valley Union High has been selected to receive $2,690,000 in rebate funding to purchase ten clean school buses.
  • Centralia Elementary has been selected to receive $600,000 in rebate funding to purchase three clean school buses.
  • Chaffey Joint Union High has been selected to receive $1,000,000 in rebate funding to purchase five clean school buses.
  • Compton Unified has been selected to receive $8,625,000 in rebate funding to purchase twenty-five clean school buses.
  • Earlimart Elementary has been selected to receive $1,035,000 in rebate funding to purchase three clean school buses.
  • Elk Grove Unified has been selected to receive $5,520,000 in rebate funding to purchase sixteen clean school buses.
  • Fresno Unified has been selected to receive $6,625,000 in rebate funding to purchase twenty-five clean school buses.
  • Fruitvale Elementary has been selected to receive $400,000 in rebate funding to purchase two clean school buses.
  • Galt Joint Union Elementary has been selected to receive $660,000 in rebate funding to purchase three clean school buses.
  • Galt Joint Union High has been selected to receive $420,000 in rebate funding to purchase two clean school buses.
  • Leggett Valley Unified has been selected to receive $345,000 in rebate funding to purchase one clean school bus.
  • Liberty Elementary has been selected to receive $265,000 in rebate funding to purchase one clean school bus.
  • Los Banos Unified has been selected to receive $2,415,000 in rebate funding to purchase seven clean school buses.
  • Midway Elementary School District has been selected to receive $690,000  in rebate funding to purchase two clean school buses.
  • Montebello Unified has been selected to receive $4,235,000 in rebate funding to purchase twenty-five clean school buses.
  • Old Adobe Union has been selected to receive $200,000 in rebate funding to purchase one clean school bus.
  • Ontario-Montclair has been selected to receive $1,200,000 in rebate funding to purchase six clean school buses.
  • Orange Unified has been selected to receive $4,505,000 in rebate funding to purchase twenty-five clean school buses.
  • Palisades Charter High District has been selected to receive $3,450,000 in rebate funding to purchase ten clean school buses.
  • Paradise Elementary has been selected to receive $2,295,000 in rebate funding to purchase fifteen clean school buses.
  • Rim of the World Unified has been selected to receive $400,000 in rebate funding to purchase two clean school buses.
  • Roseville City Elementary has been selected to receive $440,000 in rebate funding to purchase two clean school buses.
  • Sacramento City Unified has been selected to receive $2,440,000 in rebate funding to purchase eight clean school buses.
  • Saddleback Valley Unified has been selected to receive $1,530,000 in rebate funding to purchase ten clean school buses.
  • Salinas City Elementary has been selected to receive $1,505,000 in rebate funding to purchase ten clean school buses.
  • San Dieguito Union High has been selected to receive $800,000 in rebate funding to purchase four clean school buses.
  • San Mateo Union High has been selected to receive $950,000 in rebate funding to purchase five clean school buses.
  • Santa Barbara Unified has been selected to receive $5,080,000 in rebate funding to purchase twenty-five clean school buses.
  • Selma Unified has been selected to receive $1,380,000 in rebate funding to purchase four clean school buses.
  • Sierra Unified has been selected to receive $800,000 in rebate funding to purchase four clean school buses.
  • Simi Valley Unified has been selected to receive $1,980,000 in rebate funding to purchase ten clean school buses.
  • Stockton Unified has been selected to receive $6,900,000 in rebate funding to purchase twenty clean school buses.
  • Valley Center-Pauma Unified has been selected to receive $1,380,000 in rebate funding to purchase four clean school buses.
  • Ventura Unified has been selected to receive $2,000,000 in rebate funding to purchase ten clean school buses.
  • Walnut Valley Unified has been selected to receive $2,200,000 in rebate funding to purchase eleven clean school buses.
  • Wasco Union Elementary has been selected to receive $1,380,000 in rebate funding to purchase four clean school buses.
  • Whittier Union High has been selected to receive $3,400,000 in rebate funding to purchase seventeen clean school buses.
  • Winters Joint Unified has been selected to receive $200,000 in rebate funding to purchase one clean school bus.

In September 2023, the EPA?announced at least $500 million in available funding nationwide for its 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) rebates. After receiving an overwhelming number of applications from school districts nationwide, including from low-income communities, Tribal nations, and U.S. territories, the EPA doubled?the initial available funding in this round to nearly $1 billion.   

This third funding round will build on the almost $2 billion investment from the 2022 Rebates and 2023 Grants to further improve air quality in and around schools, reduce greenhouse gas pollution fueling the climate crisis, and help accelerate America’s leadership in developing the clean vehicles of the future. To ensure effective implementation, the EPA is partnering with other federal agencies through the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to provide school districts with robust technical assistance. 

The selections announced today will provide funds to school districts in 47 states, Washington D.C., and several federally recognized Tribes and U.S. territories. Prioritized school districts in low-income, rural, and Tribal communities comprise approximately 45 percent of the selected projects and will receive approximately 67 percent of the total funding. The program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and?overburdened by pollution.  

The EPA is continuing to review selected applications and may make additional awards. The EPA is working with those applicants and will notify them of an award if their application meets all program requirements. As additional selections are finalized, the EPA will update the CSB Awards webpage.  

The EPA will also make selections through additional funding rounds and other programs. For example, the EPA is accepting applications for the 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program until 11:59 PM ET on July 25, 2024. This program offers up to $932 million in available funding, 70% of which the EPA anticipates awarding to help pay for new, zero-emission Class 6 or 7 school buses.

About the Clean School Bus Program

Created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA Clean School Bus Program received an unprecedented $5 billion to transform the nation’s school bus fleet. The Program funds electric buses, which produce zero tailpipe emissions, and propane and compressed natural gas buses, which produce lower tailpipe emissions than their older diesel predecessors.

The Clean School Bus Program will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money for school districts, and produce cleaner air. Diesel air pollution is linked to asthma and other conditions that harm students’ health and cause them to miss school, particularly in communities of color and Tribal communities. Phasing out these diesel engines will ensure cleaner air for students, bus drivers, and school staff working near the bus loading areas and the communities these buses drive through daily.

View the complete list of Clean School Bus Program awards here. 

Learn more about the EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region on our Instagram, Facebook, X, and website.