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

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a $10,291,475 Project Grant under the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program (CFDA 66.049) to the Jefferson Parish School Board in Louisiana. This funding will enable the replacement of 25 in-use, non-zero-emission heavy-duty school buses with new zero-emission electric school buses, as well as the installation of 25 direct current (DC) fast charging electric vehicle chargers. The project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, which will decrease the occurrence of lung diseases in students and increase awareness of sustainable transportation. The funding will also support workforce development and training to maintain, charge, fuel, and operate the new electric vehicles. No sub-awards are included in this assistance agreement. The project period runs from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2027.

The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to jefferson parish 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 6. 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 jefferson parish, louisiana. Activities:the activities include replacing eligible internal combustion engine class 6 and 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:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include replacement of 25 internal combustion school buses with 25 type c electric school buses and installation of 25 direct current (DC) fast charging electric vehicle chargers. Multiple community events will be hosted to focus on the arrival of the electric school buses, and employees and relevant community members will receive trainings on the operation and maintenance of the new electric vehicles. The expected outcomes include reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and improvement of air quality which will decrease the occurrence of lung diseases in students in the communities in which the school buses operate, increased awareness of sustainable transportation, a safer environment for the students who ride the buses and community members who share the road with them, and a reduced financial burden on jefferson parish from elimination of diesel school buses. The intended beneficiaries include jefferson parish (grantee) and entergy (partner). Other beneficiaries include the disadvantaged community residents who will benefit from improved ambient air quality in communities in which the vehicles operate.#8239;#8239