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Six districts, located in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Montgomery, and Warren counties, were awarded nearly $12,080,000 in federal rebate funding through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new Clean School Bus Program.
The program is meant to help underserved districts transition to low or no emission buses without overburdening local taxpayers, Sen. Chuck Schumer’s office said.
“This $12+ million federal boost will help power schools in the Capital Region looking to upgrade their fleet with clean low and zero emission school buses, giving our children the clean air on the ride to school they deserve,” Schumer said.
“Dirty diesel exhaust from buses is linked to asthma and many other negative health conditions that impact our children, and this funding will help ensure we are protecting the health of both our children and the environment in the Capital Region.”
The following Capital Region school districts will receive funding:
Albany County
- Bethlehem CSD: $1.2 million
- North Colonie CSD: $290,000
Montgomery County
- Canajoharie CSD: $200,000
Rensselaer County
- Lansingburgh CSD: $7.6 million
Saratoga County
- South Glens Falls CSD: $2 million
Warren County
- Queensbury Union Free School District: $800,000
Lansingburgh Superintendent Antonio Abitabile said the funding will allow 22, or roughly half, of the district's fleet to be replaced with electric buses.
"This is very exciting news for our district and our transportation partner, but most of all for our students," he said. "That means better service for our students and fewer emissions for the families of Lansingburgh."
The Clean School Bus Program is part of the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law in November 2021. The legislation includes $5 billion in funding to help districts across the country replace older, diesel fueled buses with low and zero-emission vehicles.
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