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ALPENA -- A group of transportation, environment, and health experts recently came together in a virtual meeting to discuss opportunities in Michigan for clean school buses.
Eight different experts said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is awarding grants to school districts to cover the cost of electric school buses, which have no tailpipe emissions.
If a district is selected, the EPA can provide up to $375,000 per electric bus and up to $20,000 for each charging station.
Jane McCurry, executive director of Clean Fuels Michigan, said that, with Congress debating the 2023 budget, now is the time to push for funding for clean mobility.
"We think that now it's just a really important time in the clean school bus industry where we have all of these opportunities that Michigan can harness to put more clean school buses on the road," McCurry said.
The EPA's grant application deadline is Aug. 19. Any district can apply for the grant, but the grants from the EPA prioritize rural school districts.
Katrina Morris, executive director for the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation, said the association has sent emails to superintendents across the state. They hope they will relay the message out to their transportation departments to apply for the grant.
However, experts say families should encourage their school districts to apply early during summer break.
Mac Dashney, principal associate with the Pupil Transportation and Management Institute, said clean buses are needed, even in underserved areas.
"Health does not know economic status," he said. "And that's the thing we have to make sure legislators and everybody understands."
The coalition also urged Michigan's Legislature to pass House Bill 5721 and Senate Bill 859, which would enable school districts to use sinking fund millages -- property taxes that raise money for facilities and technology needs -- if they wish to purchase electric buses.