News Releases from Region 05

EPA Awards $1 Million to Clean Up 52 School Buses in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin

CHICAGO (April 23, 2020) – In conjunction with the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $1,015,000 to replace 52 older diesel school buses in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. Nationwide, EPA awarded $11.5 million to replace 580 older diesel school buses, with funds going to 157 school bus fleets in 43 states and Puerto Rico.  All will receive rebates through EPA's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding. The new buses will reduce pollutants that are linked to health problems such as asthma and lung damage.

“As we continue to celebrate Earth Day’s 50th anniversary, EPA continues to be committed to providing communities access to rebates to improve and replace aging school buses that will improve air quality across the country and provide children with a safe and healthy way to get to school," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “While many fleets are currently off the road as we all social distance during COVID-19, these local school districts will start up again, and EPA is proud to have helped equip them with cleaner running buses.”

“One way the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act helps protect health and the environment in the Great Lakes region is by replacing older school buses with newer, cleaner ones,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Kurt Thiede. “Diesel exhaust can be especially harmful for children, whose lungs are still developing.”

“This exciting development for Manchester Community Schools and its students will help pave the way to a brighter future for our youngest generation,” said Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (IN-02). “The EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act school bus rebates program is an innovative and cost-effective way to keep our air clean and provide students with a safer way to travel to and from school,”

“I am proud to announce five new buses for the Boardman Local School District that will not only carry children to school, but will do so in a way that will reduce emissions and pollutants that can cause asthma and lung issues in children,” said Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13). “At this time of a national health crisis, we need to more mindful than ever that there are things we can do to help keep all of us healthy, and that is especially important for our children.”

Applicants replacing buses with engine model years 2006 and older will receive rebates between $15,000 and $20,000 per bus, depending on the size of the bus. Below are the applicants receiving awards for new buses in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin:

EPA has implemented standards to make newer diesel engines more than 90 percent cleaner, but many older diesel school buses are still operating. These older diesel engines emit large amounts of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which are linked to instances of aggravated asthma, lung damage and other serious health problems. 

Since 2008, the DERA program has funded more than 1,000 clean diesel projects across the country, reducing emissions in more than 70,000 engines. A comprehensive list of the 2020 DERA school bus recipients can be found at www.epa.gov/dera/awarded-dera-rebates.

For more information about the DERA program, visit www.epa.gov/cleandiesel