The White House and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized Ann Arbor Public Schools in Michigan, as recipient of rebates from EPA’s Clean School Bus program. The school district will receive up to $800,000 from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the purchase of four electric school buses which will help contribute cleaner air in and around the community.
Heather Boushey of the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers, Ali Zaidi, the Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor, EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore, and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell joined state and local officials on a tour of an AAPS owned electric school bus and highlighted how these vehicles will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save schools money, and better protect children’s health. The investment will also drive demand for American-made batteries and vehicles, boost domestic manufacturing, and create good-paying jobs.
Interim Superintendent Jazz Parks said, “This remarkable initiative marks a significant stride towards achieving the district’s environmental sustainability goals.
“At Ann Arbor Public Schools, we firmly believe that every child deserves a safe and healthy learning environment. By continuing to add electric school buses to our fleet, we are taking a crucial step in protecting our children’s health and well-being. The reduction of harmful emissions will contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment for our students, staff and community,” said Parks.
These new buses will double the AAPS electric vehicle bus fleet, and support the district’s commitment to eliminating Scope 1 carbon emissions by 2035.
“When we protect children, reduce emissions, and improve air quality, we create stronger communities and foster economic opportunity and growth. Through President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law we are modernizing and electrifying student transportation, our nation’s largest mass transit system, while creating manufacturing jobs across the nation,” said White House Investing in America Chief Economist Heather Boushey.
“Michigan is fortunate to have early adopters, such as Ann Arbor Public Schools, coming back for more and showing that electric school buses work well in Michigan,” said It’s Electric Coordinator Kindra Weid. “The experiences of the original 7 school districts from the ESB pilot project has given our pupil transportation community a wealth of knowledge, and it’s because of their dedication that we are seeing such great success as a state in the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program. We also have our leadership, in Governor Whitmer and our legislature, for prioritizing a clean ride for school children in the 2023 school aid budget. States need both federal and state support, like the Clean Bus Energy Grant, to launch this school bus transition. Michigan is leading the charge by pursuing a cleaner ride for their students, drivers and communities.”
The event also offered the Clague Middle School 8th grade council the chance to ask questions of EPA and White House leaders and go for a ride with them on one of AAPS’s existing electric school buses. The students shared how quiet the electric bus was and that they were pleased that important people are paying attention to our schools and the environment.
“Being part of something that’s actively working towards eliminating or at least tone down climate change really makes me happy. It proves that we’re trying to work towards it and trying to make a better world for the future generation and our own,” said Clague 8th grader Ruhani Nagrath.
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