Alpena Public Schools is receiving a portion of nearly $30 million from the Michigan Department of Education to replace school buses with ones that are more environmentally friendly, according to a press release put out by the Michigan Department of Education on Wednesday. APS was one of 29 school districts in Michigan to receive this funding.

The funding from Michigan’s Clean School Bus grant program is to reduce harmful emissions and promote healthier air quality by converting pupil transportation fleets from diesel-powered vehicles to buses with low or no greenhouse gas emissions, as determined by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Funding can be used for buses that operate using electricity, propane, or natural gas. Clean school buses offer low/no tailpipe pollution, reduced maintenance costs for districts, and improved air quality for children.