This action approves an award in the amount of $19,825,692 to carolina thomas LLC, north carolina under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA

This $19,825,692 Project Grant awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean School Bus Program (CFDA 66.045) will fund Carolina Thomas LLC in North Carolina to replace 61 existing diesel school buses with 61 new Class 7 electric school buses and associated direct current (DC) fast charging infrastructure. The project will benefit approximately 3,936 children across 11 school districts, as well as provide workforce training for 15 or more technicians and bus drivers, and conduct 11 or more community engagement activities in the affected communities. The anticipated outcomes include significant reductions in emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM2.5), hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2) per year.

This agreement is to replace existing school buses with clean and zero emission (ZE) school buses. Activities:the activities include the early replacement of 61 old diesel buses with 61 class 7 electric school buses and direct charge (DC) fast charging infrastructure that will benefit 3936 children in 11 districts; workforce training for 15 or more technicians and bus drivers; and 11 or more community engagement activities undertaken in affected communities. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include the early replacement of 61 old diesel buses with 61 class 7 electric school buses and DC fast charging infrastructure that will benefit 3936 children in 11 districts; workforce training for 15 or more technicians and bus drivers; and 11 or more community engagement activities undertaken in affected communities. The expected outcomes include reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) by 5.551 short tons per year; of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by 0.254 short tons per year; of hydrocarbons (HC) by 0.622 short tons per year; of carbon monoxide (CO) by 2.099 short tons per year; and of carbon dioxide (CO2) by 1,583.6 short tons per year. The intended beneficiaries include around 3936 children who will be riding cleaner buses, 15 drivers and technicians who will be receiving training on the new equipment, and residents in 11 communities who will be breathing cleaner air.