Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – On Wednesday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) announced $6,410,000 in federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for the Fitchburg and Acton-Boxborough school districts to purchase 19 new zero-emission school buses. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program, which is helping Massachusetts communities replace older, diesel-fueled school buses, which have been linked to asthma and other conditions that harm the health of students and surrounding communities.

“In 2022, I was proud to visit Lawrence to celebrate the arrival of one of the first clean school buses funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in the country,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Two years later, and President Biden's Investing in America Agenda is continuing to deliver federal funding to the Third District to protect the environment while ensuring that students in Fitchburg, Acton, and Boxborough are able to safely get to school. These tangible investments are supporting a greener future with cleaner air for our students, our families, and our community.”

“Fitchburg Public Schools has received one of the highest awards, positioning us to lead the charge in the electrification of our school bus fleet,” said Fitchburg Mayor Sam Squailia. “This achievement not only reduces our overall maintenance and ongoing costs but also demonstrates our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and preparing for a sustainable future.”

In September 2023, the EPA announced the availability of at least $500 million for its 2023 Clean School Bus rebates. The rebate application period closed in February 2024 with an overwhelming response from school districts across the country seeking to purchase electric and clean school buses. Given the level of demand, the EPA doubled the initial amount of available funding in this round to a total of nearly $1 billion. The 2023 Clean School Bus rebates will help selectees purchase 166 clean school buses in 17 school districts across Massachusetts. Fitchburg has been selected to receive $6,210,000 in funding to purchase 18 clean school buses. Acton-Boxborough has been selected to receive $200,000 in rebate funding to purchase one clean school bus. 

“Fitchburg Public Schools is thrilled about receiving a $6.21M Rebate for the Clean School Bus Program,” said Jon Thompson, Superintendent of Fitchburg Public Schools. “This will help our school system and City work towards meeting our goals to be stewards of the environment and work towards reducing emissions and reliance on fossil fuels to do our part to meet the net zero goals of the Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan 2050. This will revolutionize the way we transport our students and do so in a manner that is quieter, cleaner, and much more efficient.”

“We are excited to have been awarded a $200K rebate for the EPA Clean School Bus Program,” said Peter Light, Superintendent of Schools for the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District. “This opportunity is an important next step toward the purchase of an electric school bus that can help the District move toward our decarbonization goals. We are grateful for the support and advocacy from Congresswoman Trahan in securing these funds.”

The EPA Clean School Bus Program was created by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is providing an unprecedented $5 billion to transform the nation's fleet of school buses. The Clean School Bus Program funds electric buses, which produce zero tailpipe emissions, as well as propane and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, which produce lower tailpipe emissions compared to their older diesel predecessors. Phasing out these older diesel engines will ensure cleaner air for students, bus drivers, and school staff working near the bus loading areas, and the communities through which the buses drive each day.

In November 2022, Trahan announced $10 million in funding to replace 25 diesel-powered school buses in Lawrence with new, clean buses. The award was among the first in the nation.

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