The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to branford public schools to replace in-use, non-zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles with new zero-emission vehicles to reduce air…

This Project Grant award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), funded through the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program (CFDA 66.049), provides $8,435,075 to the Branford Board of Education (Branford Public Schools) in Connecticut. The funding will be used to replace 21 in-use, non-zero-emission heavy-duty school buses with new zero-emission electric buses and install 21 Level 3 charging stations to support the new vehicles. The project also includes workforce development and training for staff, drivers, mechanics, and public safety officials on the operation and maintenance of the zero-emission buses and charging infrastructure. The anticipated outcomes include reduced greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, lower operating and maintenance costs for the school district, improved air quality, and increased public awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of electric vehicle technology.

The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to branford public schools to replace in-use, non-zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles with new zero-emission vehicles to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in EPA region 1. The recipient will replace 21 eligible vehicles with comparable, eligible zero-emission vehicles under the school bus sub-program, resulting in cleaner air and improved health for communities in branford, connecticut. Activities:the activities include replacing eligible internal combustion engine class 7 vehicles with eligible zero-emission vehicles; purchasing, installing, operating, and maintaining charging equipment to maintain the new zero-emission vehicles; and providing workforce development and training to support the maintenance, charging, and operation of the new zero-emission vehicles. Subrecipient:the activities to be implemented through a subaward to ZUM services include project management, vehicle procurement, charger installation management, and workforce training program management.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include replacing 21 fossil-fuel powered school buses with zero-emission electric buses and installing 21 level 3 chargers. Training will be provided to staff, drivers, mechanics, and public safety officials about how to properly operate and maintain the zero-emission buses and chargers, and community engagement activities will be held to connect with and educate the community. The expected outcomes include reduced greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions, reduced fuel consumption, lower school district operating and maintenance costs, improved air quality, trained staff, improved safety, and increased public awareness and understanding about the environmental and economic effectiveness of the implemented technology. The intended beneficiaries include the branford public school district (grantee) and z#363; m services (subrecipient). Other beneficiaries include disadvantaged community residents who will benefit from improved ambient air quality in communities in which the vehicles operate.