NNPS receives government grant for propane school buses
Posted: January 8, 2024
Newport News Public Schools was awarded $525,000 to replace 15 diesel school buses with new propane school buses as part of the Clean School Bus Grant, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced January 8.
A total of 67 applicants across the country will receive a share of the nearly $1 billion awarded through the Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition.
NNPS currently has 153 propane buses and the additional 15 will bring its total to 168, which is more than half of its total fleet of 318 buses, according to Shay Coates, NNPS executive director of student transportation.
With the announcement, the EPA's Clean School Bus Program has awarded nearly $2 billion and funded approximately 5,000 electric and low-emission school buses nationwide, according to the EPA. By accelerating the transition to low- and zero-emission vehicles, these awards will improve air quality for children and their families and advance environmental justice while boosting the economy and creating good-paying jobs.
"Newport News Public Schools is honored to earn a 2023 EPA Clean School Bus Program Grant Award to increase the number of propane-fueled school buses in our fleet," Coates said. "Propane not only reduces emissions, but also saves our district thousands of dollars in fuel and maintenance costs each year."
