The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to city of springfield DBA: springfield public schools to replace in-use, non-zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles with new…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $9,908,555 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program (CFDA 66.049) grant to the Springfield Public School District in Massachusetts. The grant, awarded in December 2024 with a completion date of November 2027, will fund the replacement of 25 in-use, non-zero-emission diesel school buses with new zero-emission vehicles, as well as the installation of 13 Level 3 vehicle charging stations. The project also includes workforce development and training for staff, drivers, mechanics, and public safety officials to properly operate and maintain the zero-emission buses and charging infrastructure. Additionally, the school district will subaward a portion of the grant to their transportation provider to assist with vehicle procurement, project planning, and monitoring. The anticipated outcomes include reduced greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions, improved air quality, reduced student absenteeism, increased work opportunities, and enhanced public awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of zero-emission vehicle technology.

The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to city of springfield DBA: springfield 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 25 eligible vehicles with comparable, eligible zero-emission vehicles under the school bus sub-program, resulting in cleaner air and improved health for communities in springfield, massachusetts. 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 grantee will subaward to their transportation provider to implement part of the federal grant program under the terms and conditions of the program. Subawardee activities include procurement of vehicles and chargers, training of drivers, project planning, and project monitoring.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include replacing 25 diesel school buses with zero-emission buses and installing 13 level 3 chargers. Training will be provided to staff, drivers, mechanics, and public safety officials about how to properly operate and maintain the zero-electric 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, improved air quality, reduced student absenteeism, trained staff, increased work opportunities, improved safety, and increased public awareness and understanding about the environmental and economic effectiveness of the implemented technology. The intended beneficiaries include springfield public schools (grantee) and first student, INC. (subrecipient). Other beneficiaries include disadvantaged community residents who will benefit from improved ambient air quality in communities in which the vehicles operate.