The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to hamilton-wenham regional school district to replace in-use, non-zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles with new zero-emission…

This federal Project Grant award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1, provided under the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program (CFDA 66.049), will fund the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District to replace 17 diesel school buses with zero-emission electric vehicles and install 17 Level 3 charging stations. The $7,058,856 grant will also support workforce development and training for staff, drivers, mechanics, and public safety officials, as well as two community engagement events. The project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and provide economic and environmental benefits for the communities of Hamilton and Wenham, Massachusetts. The award will be implemented in partnership with a sub-recipient, Highland Electric Fleets, which will manage project activities such as vehicle procurement, charger installation, and community engagement.

The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to hamilton-wenham regional school district 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 17 eligible vehicles with comparable, eligible zero-emission vehicles under the school bus sub-program, resulting in cleaner air and improved health for communities in hamilton and wenham, massachusetts. Activities:the activities include replacing eligible internal combustion engine class 7 vehicles with eligible zero-emission vehicles; purchasing, installing, operating, and maintaining charging and fueling equipment to maintain the new zero-emission vehicles; and providing workforce development and training to support the maintenance, charging, fueling, and operation of the new zero-emission vehicles. Subrecipient:the activities to be implemented through a subaward to highland electric fleets include project management, vehicle procurement, charger installation management, and community engagement event management.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include replacing 17 diesel buses with zero-electric buses and installing 17 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 two community engagement events will be held to engage 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, reduced student absenteeism, reduced bus idling, reduced bus maintenance, trained staff, improved safety, and increased public awareness and understanding about the environmental and economic effectiveness of the implemented technology. The intended beneficiaries include hamilton-wenham regional school district (grantee) and highland electric fleets (subrecipient). Other beneficiaries include disadvantaged community residents who will benefit from improved ambient air quality in communities in which the vehicles operate.