The initiative is part of Gov. Wes Moore’s $90 million climate pledge to cut emissions, improve climate change and improve the overall health of students in Maryland.
State lawmakers have set goals for a 60 percent reduction in the state’s emissions by 2031 compared to 2006 levels. Last month, the Maryland Department of the Environment began accepting applications for $3 million in state grants to replace old diesel school buses with electric ones.
Local school districts are now eligible to submit applications to buy electric school buses. Applications must be submitted by the district to support their fleet or fund efforts by their private vendors or contractors.
“The program enables Maryland communities to overcome the initial costs associated with the shift to cleaner vehicles so that they can receive the long-term savings that come with reduced fuel and maintenance costs,” Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul G. Pinsky said in a statement. “Because of this program, our kids will breathe cleaner air and our return on the investment of public funds will expand. That’s a clear win-win for Maryland.”
The Maryland Energy Administration will offer up to $17 million through the fiscal year 2025 for the Maryland Electric School Bus Grant Program. The investment is expected to help with infrastructure and other costs, according to the governor’s office
Eligible applicants can receive up to 85 percent of the incremental price of purchasing qualified electric school buses. In addition, the program provides up to $1.5 million per grantee, with an increased cap of $2 million for income-qualified applicants or large school districts.
Funding is distributed as cost reimbursement, with partial awards available to maximize program impact. Any publicly funded school bus that transports students for school or school-related activities is also eligible for consideration.
The electric school buses must be purchased new; retrofits or repowered vehicles are not eligible for the program. In addition, a vehicle that has been funded in whole or in part by another Maryland state agency grant is not eligible for funding.
Priority for the program will be given to projects benefiting Title I Schools and underserved communities.
“Many communities are already seeing the consequences of climate change in their own backyards. Now, we need to ensure more Marylanders can see themselves in the progress of climate action,” Moore said in a statement. “Electrifying our school bus fleet isn’t just the responsible choice for our environment — it’s also the smart thing for our state’s economic competitiveness and our children’s health.”
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