The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to oregon department of environmental quality (DEQ) to replace in-use, non-zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles with new…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $11,522,419 Project Grant under the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program (CFDA 66.049) to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). The grant will fund the replacement of 26 in-use, non-zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles with new zero-emission vehicles in order to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in EPA Region 10. Key activities include replacing internal combustion engine school buses with battery electric buses, purchasing and installing charging infrastructure, and providing workforce development and training to support the new zero-emission vehicles. The award also includes funding for sub-recipients, such as the Columbia Willamette Clean Cities Coalition and several Oregon school districts, to assist with vehicle replacement, charger installation, and technician training. The project period runs from March 1, 2025 to March 1, 2028.

The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to oregon department of environmental quality (DEQ) 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 10. The recipient will replace 26 eligible vehicles with comparable, eligible zero-emission vehicles under the school bus sub-program, resulting in cleaner air and improved health for communities in oregon. 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:driver and technician training. Purchase and installation of 14 electric school buses and 11 DC fast chargers. Outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include replacing 26 internal combustion engine school buses with 26 zero-emission battery electric replacements in 4 school districts, installation of 12 DC level 3 fast chargers and 26 level 2 chargers, training 30 fleet mechanics to become electric school bus technicians to maintain funded electric buses and charging infrastructure, and conducting community engagement activities. The expected outcomes include reduced greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions; improved air quality and public health benefits; reduced fuel costs, maintenance costs, and noise pollution; a workforce that is better trained to maintain advanced electric school bus and charging infrastructure; and increased public awareness about environmental issues and electrical vehicles. The intended beneficiaries include the oregon department of environmental quality (GRANTEE), columbia willamette clean cities coalition (PARTNER), beaverton school district (PARTNER), reynolds school district (PARTNER), gresham school district (PARTNER), and portland school district (PARTNER). Other beneficiaries include disadvantaged community residents who will benefit from improved ambient air quality in communities in which the vehicles operate.