Getting to school for thousands of students in Southwestern Pennsylvania is getting a bit quieter and a lot cleaner.
Three school districts in Southwestern Pennsylvania will receive 75 new electric school buses thanks to funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Pittsburgh Public Schools, the largest district in the region, will receive 45 electric buses. Laurel Highlands School District in Fayette County will get 15 buses, and New Castle Area School District in Lawrence County will receive 15 buses. The three districts combined enroll more than 26,000 students.
The Clean School Bus Program grant awarded about $40 million to Ohio-based First Student Inc. to purchase 100 buses, charging infrastructure and other administrative costs for Pennsylvania school districts, according to the office of U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale. William Penn School District in Montgomery County will also receive 25 electric buses.
Lee said the buses will help combat climate change and improve air quality in the region. She said one electric bus removes 23 tons of greenhouse gasses each year from the atmosphere compared to diesel buses.
“That could mean fewer kids with asthma, better air quality for our region, and the safety of knowing that our kids are getting to school safely without breathing toxic fumes,” she said, in part, in a statement.
Kevin King, of First Student said the new buses are also quieter. He said the funding will increase the total number of emission-free buses at Pittsburgh Public Schools to 115.
The announcement was praised by air quality advocates. Patrick Campbell, director of the Group Against Smog and Pollution, said electric buses will help reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
“They’re a practical symbol of innovation, showcasing Pittsburgh’s commitment to a sustainable future,” Campbell said.
Lee said EPA grant funding to convert school bus fleets to electric is still available.
She encouraged other Pittsburgh-area school districts to apply.
The deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 14.
